2026 Sphinx Competition Semi-Finalists Announced

November 18, 2025, 1:59 PM · On Tuesday the Sphinx Organization announced the young musicians selected for the 29th Annual Sphinx Competition Semi-Final Round, which will take place January 21-24, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan.

The competition will take place in conjunction with SphinxConnect: Discover!, a conference on excellence and inclusion in classical music, including more than 30 sessions at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center.

Here are the young musicians who will participate:

Sphinx Competition 2026 Senior Semi-Finalists.

Senior Semi-Finalists:
Taylor Abbitt, bass
Paul Aguilar, viola
Sophie Ayer, violin
Noah Carr, violin
Maxwell Fairman, violin
Miles Goosby, cello
Gavin Hardy, bass
Edward Luengo, cello
Thierry de Lucas Neves, violin
Dora Oliva Devoghel, violin
Andres Sanchez, cello

Sphinx Competition 2026 Junior Semi-Finalists.

Junior Semi-Finalists:
Ethan Abrahams-Nhliziyo, bass
Kai Isoke Ali-Landing, violin
Ana Chirinos, cello
Sofia Hernandez-Williams, cello
Ayra Karlin, violin
Sonya Moomaw, cello
Liam Thomas, violin
Beatrice Valenzuela, violin
Alette Williams, violin

Finalists in both divisions have the opportunity to perform with the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Kalena Bovell (recipient of the 2024 Sphinx Medal of Excellence). Finalists will compete for more than $100,000 in prizes, as well as scholarships and fine instruments through the Sphinx Musical Assistance Fund.

The 2026 Sphinx Competition Jury will include conductor and soloist Leon Bosch, cellist and former Sphinx Competition laureate Sterling Elliott, violist Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, violinist Philippe Quint, and Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Vice President and Chief Artistic & Operating Officer Martin Sher.

Founded in 1998, the Sphinx Competition is a national competition in the U.S. for Black and Latinx classical string players. Past laureates include Tai Murray, Joseph Conyers, Melissa White, Elena Urioste, Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, Danielle Belen, Randall Goosby, Maia Cabeza, Sterling Elliott, Steven Laraia, Jessie Montgomery, Xavier Foley, Annelle K. Gregory, Jordan Bak, Njioma Grevious, Paul Aguilar and many others.

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2026 Sphinx Competition Semi-Finalists Announced

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