Stefani Collins wins 2012 Washington International String Competition Violin Division

June 13, 2012, 12:59 PM · Here's some nice news, about a young violinist who is familiar to the V.com community:

Stefani Collins, a violin student of Sylvia Rosenberg at The Juilliard School, received 1st place in the violin division of the 2012 Washington International String Competition, as well as the audience prize. Other winners were Matthew Lipman, viola and Matthew Zalkind, cello. The final round was held on Sunday, June 10th at the Terrace Theater in the Kennedy Center.

The Friday Morning Music Club was founded in Washington D.C. in 1886 with the purpose of enhancing musical culture in the community. With an orchestra, chorale, and education program, the FMMC has over 800 members and gives weekly performances in a variety of venues, ranging from concert halls to nursing homes and schools. In addition to providing the community with frequent concerts, the FMMC also sponsors the Washington International Competition, in support of gifted young musicians.

The competition consists of a three-year rotation between strings, piano, and voice. The 59th WIC was held this year for strings, and began with 203 recorded applications. Twenty six semi-finalists were selected to compete in a live audition for an international panel of judges, which included Joseph Silverstein, Martha Strongin Katz and Marc Johnson.