HourDetroit.com: The Sphinx Organization Celebrates 25 Years of Diversity in Classical Music

HOUR Detroit Magazine 

Detroit is lucky to have the Sphinx Organization. The classical music nonprofit has helped build pipelines for young Black and Latinx musicians to find their way into careers in classical music (both on stage and behind the scenes). It’s an important mission, as it’s one of the many arts and culture sectors lacking diversity. This month, the Sphinx will host its 25th annual competition, in which emerging musicians between the ages of 18 and 30 perform on stage, for nearly $100,000 in cash prizes — including the Robert Frederick Smith Prize. This $50,000 first-place award also comes with a host of solo appearances, accompanied by major orchestras.

Ryan Patrick Hooper is the host of CultureShift, on 101.9 WDET, Detroit’s NPR station (weekdays, from noon to 2 p.m.).