7th grader also is one of 57 student musicians who will perform at Ensemble’s April 26 concert

At 4’ 10”, seventh grader Colleen might have appeared to be the underdog as she competed against high school seniors in the Concerto Competition for Young Artists on November 21. Colleen, however, ended up winning the competition, and will be performing with the Bellflower Symphony orchestra on April 25th in the William Bristol Civic Auditorium.

The other winner in Colleen’s 13-17 year old category was a high school senior violinist who has studied with a music professor at USC.

Nervous right before she began to play, Colleen glanced out into the audience and a panel of judges stared back at her, she said. Colleen said she looked to her left and saw the talented violinists the judges would be comparing her to.

“I felt a little intimidated in that moment, because they were all so much bigger than me,” Colleen said.

Yet by ultimately tieing for first place, Colleen proved that good things come in small packages.

The seventh grader is also a member of Marlborough’s music ensemble, which will have its annual spring concert the same weekend of Colleen’s performance, on Sunday, April 26.
Music Ensemble instructor Deborah Sealove said that Colleen is a valuable member of the group.

“It is easy working with Colleen, because it is similar to working with a professional musician. She comes to rehearsal prepared and we can accomplish a great deal because she is so advanced,” Sealove said.

The annual concert will take place in Caswell Hall at 2:00 pm on the 26th, and will showcase over fifty musicians in grades seven through twelve.  Instruments include cello, clarinet, flute, piano, and violin.  Admission is free.