Concerto Competition

Home » Concerto Competition

Congratulations to the 6 GCTYO Principal Orchestra musicians who advanced to the Final Round of the 2024 Concerto Competition! And bravo to Michael Sigal, Winner of the Competition! Michael will perform his winning concerto, Camille Saint-Saens’ Concerto No. 3 in B minor, Op. 61, Mvt. 1, with Principal Orchestra at the GCTYO Spring Concert at The Klein Auditorium on May 19, 2024.

Pictured from left to right: Carsen Schick (flute), Nolan Medalla (oboe), Kazuho Yasuno (cello), Michael Sigal (violin), Kyra Brown (cello), Alex Parent (cello)

2024 Concerto Competition Finalists

Michael Sigal

Michael Sigal, age 17, has been studying violin with Teri Einfeldt for 12 years at the Hartt School of Music. Michael is a senior at Fairfield Ludlowe High School, where he plays in the school and chamber orchestras. Michael has been a violinist with the Apollo Quartet since 2016 and has participated in several youth orchestra programs.
Full Bio

Michael Sigal, age 17, has been studying violin with Teri Einfeldt for 12 years at the Hartt School of Music. Michael is a senior at Fairfield Ludlowe High School, where he plays in the school and chamber orchestras. Michael has been a violinist with the Apollo Quartet since 2016 and has participated in several youth orchestra programs. In 2021, 2022, and 2023, he participated in the CMEA Western Regional Orchestras and CMEA All State Orchestras and was accepted into the 2021 All-Nationals Festival. Michael has also participated in summer programs, including Kinhaven and Music Adventure in Italy. Michael joined GCTYO in 2022. In his school, Michael is the concertmaster of the FLHS Chamber and Philharmonic Orchestras, a member of Tri-M (Music Honor Society) and a baritone leader in the FLHS Chamber Choir and acapella. In 2022, Michael was awarded the Abraham Huang and Eastman music awards and scholarships. Outside of music, he is the editor-in-chief of the FLHS Prospect Newspaper and enjoys reading and writing in his free time.

Kazuho Yasuno

Kazuho Yasuno, age 12, is a 7th grader at Amity Middle School-Orange and has been a member of GCTYO since 5th grade.  He has been playing cello since the age of 5, developing his musicality under the tutelage of Silvio Interlandi. Kazuho currently studies with Rebecca Patterson of the New Haven Symphony.

Full Bio

Kazuho Yasuno, age 12, is a 7th grader at Amity Middle School-Orange and has been a member of GCTYO since 5th grade. Kazuho met the cello for the first time at age 2, watching the 2 Cellos on YouTube and playing “air-cello” at home, in the yard of his preschool, and everywhere else. He began real cello studies when he was 5 years old. His musicality has been developed with Silvio Interlandi, and his passion for cello is blooming. In the summers of 2022 and 2023, Kazuho participated in Kirishima International Music Festival in Japan as the youngest master class student with Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, a world-renowned Japanese cellist and the music director of Suntory Hall, and Kangho Lee, the dean of the music department of Korea National University of Arts. Kazuho said in a newspaper interview: “I want to be the best cellist in the world, because nothing will happen unless I aim for it.” In 2023, Kazuho performed with the CMEA Southern Regional Middle School Orchestra as principal cellist. Kazuho’s current teacher, Rebecca Patterson, principal cellist at New Haven Symphony, says, “Haydn will be one of his signature pieces.”

Kyra Brown

Kyra Brown is a junior at New Milford High School. It’s her third year participating in both GCTYO and the concerto competition. She began studying cello at the age of 7 and quickly joined the local community youth orchestra.  An active member of the Decatur, Alabama Youth Symphony and Chamber Ensemble…

Full Bio

Kyra Brown is a junior at New Milford High School. It’s her third year participating in both GCTYO and the concerto competition. She began studying cello at the age of 7 and quickly joined the local community youth orchestra.  An active member of the Decatur, Alabama Youth Symphony and Chamber Ensemble, Kyra served as a mentor for other children beginning cello as part of a peer coaching program. She participated in “Cellobration” at the University of Alabama and was a 2020 finalist in the junior division of the Tennessee Cello Workshop in Knoxville, TN. Kyra joined GCTYO in 2021, performing with Principal Orchestra and Advanced Chamber Ensemble. She is also an accomplished pianist, composer, and vocalist. She has won recognition from the Alabama Music Teacher Association in both piano performance and composition and from the National Federation of Music Clubs in composition. She also participated in the Alabama All-State vocal festival in the Middle School Treble Choir and as Outstanding Accompanist for the entire festival.  Kyra continues to enjoy composing for piano and ensembles, including choral ensembles. She also took part in the 2022 All State mixed choir and the 2023 All State orchestra. In the summer of 2023, she served as the principal cellist in the Symphonic Orchestra at New England Music Camp and also performed many solo and chamber recitals while in attendance. Kyra would like to thank her accompanist and piano teacher, Ray Pierpont, her cello teacher, Mary Costanza, and her wonderful family for their encouragement and support.

Nolan Medalla

Nolan Medalla, age 17, is a senior at Wilton High School. He began taking oboe lessons at age 10 under the excellent direction of Janet Rosen, Principal Oboist with Norwalk Symphony Orchestra. Nolan is also proficient in piano, clarinet, and tenor saxophone. Nolan has been a musician with GCTYO for five years.

Full Bio

Nolan Medalla, age 17, is a senior at Wilton High School. He began taking oboe lessons at age 10 under the excellent direction of Janet Rosen, Principal Oboist with Norwalk Symphony Orchestra. Nolan is also proficient in piano, clarinet, and tenor saxophone. Nolan has been a musician with GCTYO for five years, most recently as Principal Oboist with Principal Orchestra. From 2022 – 2024, Nolan performed on oboe with the CMEA Western Regional Band and Symphony Orchestra. In 2023, he participated in the CMEA All-State Festival. Nolan also composes music and won first place for music composition for his high school’s PTA Reflections competition and went on to win third place in the state of CT in 2022. Nolan is an active member of his high school music program with his participation in wind ensemble, marching band, jazz ensemble, and symphonic and pit orchestras. Nolan is also a member of his high school’s Tri-M Music Honor Society and President of the Chemistry Club. Outside of music, Nolan enjoys boating, cooking, and programming. Nolan plans to pursue a dual degree in music composition and computer science in college next year.

Carsen Schick

Carsen Schick is in her senior year at Joel Barlow High School in Easton. There, she performs in the concert band and pit orchestra. She has been a member of Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestras for 5 years and has performed at the Western Regionals Festival. Carsen is planning on going to college for flute performance with a dual degree in music education.

Full Bio

Carsen Schick is in her senior year at Joel Barlow High School. There, she performs in the concert band and pit orchestra. She has been a member of Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestras for 5 years. In addition to GCTYO, Carsen participates in other area orchestra programs, including a chamber group located in Ridgefield. For the past few years she’s performed at the Western Regionals Festival with fellow GCTYO members. Carsen is planning on going to college for flute performance with a dual degree in music education.

Beth Ulman:
Perfect, thank you!

Alex Parent

Alex Parent, age 17, has been studying cello for 9 years, predominantly under the excellent direction of Adam Grabois. Alex, a senior at Fairfield Ludlowe High School has enjoyed performing with the school chamber orchestras, securing principal cellist. He has been a member of the Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestras (GCTYO) since 4th grade.
Full Bio

Alex Parent, age 17, has been studying cello for 9 years, predominantly under the excellent direction of Adam Grabois. Alex, a senior at Fairfield Ludlowe High School, has enjoyed performing with the school chamber orchestras, securing principal cellist. He has been a member of Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestras (GCTYO) since fourth grade, performing with Principal Orchestra for the past 5 years. For three years in a row, Alex secured a seat in the CMEA Western Regional High School Festival Orchestra and was accepted into All State his junior year. He is also an active member of the Tri-M Honor Society and Orchestra Club. Alex has participated in a wide variety of quartets including the GCTYO chamber program in collaboration with Orchestra Lumos, the Asya Meshberg Chamber Music Institute, the Amici Chamber Program, and the New England Music Camp Chamber Music Intensive.  Additionally, he teaches cello to elementary students in Fairfield. Outside of music, Alex is the captain and goalkeeper of the Ludlowe varsity soccer team, a varsity member of the Fairfield ski team, and a Junior Deacon at Greenfield Hill Congregational Church. He finished his Eagle Scout project supporting the Multicultural Magnet and High Horizons School by rehabilitating their orchestra room including building three 8-foot cello stands. Alex plans to pursue both a music and science major in college.

The Adjudicators

Michael Breaux

Michael Breaux is currently the Director of Bands at Greenwich High School (CT), where he directs 3 concert ensembles, a percussion ensemble, and two jazz ensembles. His prior teaching experience found him in both the high school and university domains. Mr. Breauz is also an active freelance musician who doubles on woodwind instruments in classical, jazz, Broadway, and popular music domains. 

As an active professional musician, Mr. Breaux has performed as principal bassoon, saxophone soloist, and multi-instrumentalist with numerous ensembles, including Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestras. 

Full Bio

Mr. Breaux joined the NYU Music Education faculty in 2009 after 20 years as Director of Bands in the Fairfield, CT and Wilton, CT public schools. On the university level, he has also taught at Western Connecticut State University and the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana where he engaged in doctoral studies in music education. His research interests combine sight-reading, eye-movement research, and cognitive strategy analyses to better understand what musicians do when sight-reading.

At NYU, Mr. Breaux founded the NYU All-University Concert Band, All-University Clarinet Choir, and All-University Jazz Ensemble.  His teaching load has centered around engaging students in all of the skills necessary for attaining certification in PreK–12 music education with an emphasis on instrumental music education.

As an active professional musician, Mr. Breaux has performed as principal bassoon, saxophone soloist, and multi-instrumentalist with numerous ensembles, including Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestras. He can be heard on the movie soundtrack albums Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Magnolia. He also performed on the Fiona Apple album When the pawn…, and Aimee Mann’s album Whatever to name a few. Recently, he held the clarinet chair for the critically acclaimed audience-immersive production of Sweeney Todd in New York City running for 636 performances. Mr. Breaux was also a substitute solo and onstage Klezmer clarinet for the critically acclaimed Yiddish production of Fiddler on the Roof in NYC.

Gary Capozziello

Award-winning violinist Gary Capozziello enjoys a varied musical life as both highly versatile performer and educator. Applauded for his “inspired ferocity” (Millbrook Independent), Gary has been recognized in the media by WTH, The Hartford Courant, Broadwayworld.com and the American League of Orchestras (symphony.org). He was featured in Hartford Magazine’s 2018 issue “Inspired: A Renaissance of Young Artists.”  His recent concerto appearances have included concerts with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, the New Haven Civic, American Chamber Orchestra, Manchester Symphony, Connecticut Valley Chamber Orchestra and the Torrington Symphony. 

Full Bio

Dr. Capozziello is highly active as a solo, chamber, and orchestral performer and is currently Assistant Concertmaster of the Hartford Symphony. He created an online recital series “Help Me Create a Covid Relief Fund” to raise grant funds for struggling musicians during the height of the pandemic, receiving a Musician Service Award granted by the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. He has also received first prize in the Paranov Competition, and was honored with the Jerry Malafronte Award for Musical Excellence and the Peter/Wright Music Memorial Prize. In addition to his accomplishments as a performer, Dr. Capozziello is deeply passionate about sharing his expertise in the Alexander Technique and Mindfulness practices, empowering students and fellow musicians to tap into their deepest potential and cultivate a harmonious connection between body and instrument. Formerly faculty at Quinnipiac University, Dr. Capozziello teaches at the Promisek Bach workshops and the Hotchkiss School.

Matthew Scinto

Matthew Scinto is an emerging conductor based in Cape Cod, where he currently serves as Founder and Music Director of the Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra and Visiting Director of Orchestra at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He has twice studied conducting at the prestigious Tanglewood Music Center, was recently finalist for the Assistant Conductor of the San Antonio Symphony, and also currently serves as a cover conductor for the Portland (ME) Symphony. He received his Doctor of Musical Art’s degree from Boston University, where he received the Conducting Department Award for Excellence in Conducting.

Full Bio

As the Founder & Music Director of the Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra, Dr. Scinto has established the only professional chamber orchestra serving the region, with a mission to commission music collaboratively with individuals and organizations. Since 2018, the orchestra has completed and premiered numerous works with organizations such as the Heritage Museums & Gardens, the Guild of Harwich Artists, the Whydah Pirate Museum, and the Edward Gorey House. Working across disciplines has proved to be an effective way to build audiences, creating concerts that highlight the gems and rich history of Cape Cod. Recently the orchestra was awarded the 1st PRIZE in the American Prize Competition for Orchestra performance in 2020, and was recently named “Best New Cultural Attraction” by Yankee Magazine in 2019.

Dr. Scinto has been involved in Alzheimer’s care for the past several years, working with memory care facilities at Maplewood Senior Living in Brewster, MA and Bridges in Mashpee, MA. He is also a frequent guest of the Arts & Ideas program with the Alzheimer’s Family Support Center of Cape Cod for caregivers and loved ones with memory loss. By using aspects of music appreciation and conducting, Dr. Scinto has developed curriculum for working with individuals dealing with memory loss in order to allow them to reconnect to their loved ones and enjoy fun movement to music.

Dr. Scinto graduated from Syracuse University (MM, 2014 & BM, 2012) where he studied conducting and viola. At Syracuse, he was awarded the Certificate in University Teaching, the Setnor School of Music Faculty Award (recognizing the student who made the greatest contribution to School of Music), the Setnor School of Music Irene Crooker award for musical excellence, and the Simeon Popov Memorial Orchestra Award. He is an alumnus of Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestras.

Winner Michael Sigal!

With GCTYO Conductor Britney Alcine