Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Sphinx Organization: Congratulations to the Laureates of the 23rd Annual Sphinx Competition!

Congratulations to the Laureates of the 23rd Annual Sphinx 
Competition! 
Presented by 

DTE FOUNDATION
with additional support provided by 
Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, Robert F. Smith, 
Detroit Pistons, Knight Foundation, and PNC Bank
Over the weekend, Sphinx awarded more than 
$100,000 in prizes to the nation's top young 
musicians at the 23rd annual Sphinx 
Competition for young Black and Latinx 
string players. 

Senior Division 1st Place $50,000 Robert 
Frederick Smith prize
Winner: Gabriel Martins, cello

Junior Division 1st Place $10,000 prize
Winner: Esme Arias-Kim, violin

Gabriel Martins, cello
Senior Division Winner
Photo by Craig Gorkiewicz

21-year-old Gabriel Martins, a student at New 
England Conservatory of Music, was 
awarded 1st place in the Senior Division on 
Saturday, February 8.  
 
He receives $50,000, performance 
opportunities with Sphinx Soloist 
Program Partners and instrument 
support from SHAR Music.

Jordan Bak, Gabriel Martins, 
Aaron Olguin
Photo by Craig Gorkiewicz

Bassist Aaron Olguin placed 2nd and 
receives $20,000. 
Aaron was also the recipient of the 
$5,000 Audience Choice Award, 
sponsored by Mercedes-Benz 
Financial Services.

Violist Jordan Bak, a student 
at the Juilliard School, placed 
3rd and receives $10,000.


Esme Arias-Kim 
Photo by Craig Gorkiewicz

14-year-old violinist 
Esme Arias-Kim, from Hoffman Estates, 
IL, won 1st place in the Junior 
Division of the Sphinx Competition on 
Friday, February 7. 





















Esme Arias-Kim, Brandon Leonard, Sophia Ayer
Photo by Craig Gorkiewicz

Esme receives $10,000, performance 
opportunities with Sphinx Soloist Program 
Partners and instrument support from 
SHAR Music.

Cellist Brandon Leonard placed 2nd and 
receives $5,000.

Violinist Sophia Ayer  placed 3rd and 
receives $3,000.

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