Vladislav Boguinia (CO) has studied piano, violin, and viola through MusicLink for the past three years. He was winner of the Boulder Arts Academy Merit Scholarship Award in 2007 and has performed in the Boulder Youth Symphony, and Novous Amadeus String Quartet. MusicLink awarded him the Alfred Talent Search Camp Scholarship in 2007 as well as providing a violin and viola for his musical studies. Multiply talented, Vladislav’s dream is “to become a concert pianist to share the joy of classical music to people around the world.”

Yuri Boguinia (CO) has studied piano, violin, and composition through MusicLink for the past three years. He won the prestigious ASCAP Morton Gould Composition Competition in 2008, one of nine national winners in the category from ages 6-18. He also won first place in the Pike Peak Composition Competition, which featured performance of his Ukranian Dance with the Colorado Spring Philharmonic Orchestra. MusicLink awarded Yuri the Alfred Talent Search Camp Scholarship in 2007. “My goal is to become a professional musician and composer. I simply want to pursue a career that I am passionate about, and it is music.”

Tram Bui (OR) began music lessons in Viet Nam as a 6 year old, immigrating to America in 2004. Now in eighth grade, Tram has studied with Barbara Parker through MusicLink for five years, with a piano loaned for study through the Piano Santa Foundation. She has won numerous awards in OMTA’s festivals and competitions. “Playing piano has been one of the things I love doing since I was young. I wish to share my love with other people to be enjoyed by everyone.”

Diana Fang (VA) began piano lessons with Martha Smith at age nine. “It was the best decision I could ever have made and my parents were thrilled that I was given this opportunity.” Diana received a piano for study through MusicLink and was awarded the Harry D. Kirkpatrick Award for outstanding achievement as a graduating senior in 2008. She is currently pursuing a career in architectural engineering at the University of Virginia. “I try to incorporate music into the lives of all my friends and I think they have grown to feel the same way about it as I do.”

Ik Hoon Jung (OR) was born in Seoul Korea and has studied the piano since he was five years old. He is a student of Linda Barker and was winner of OMTA’s Romantic Festival in 2007 and Classical Festival in 2008. By his own admission, “I like to play fast pieces.”

Kevin Lu (VA) is a student of Theresa Compos Falk and was chosen as a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Scholar in 2006. This prestigious award provides thousands of dollars annually to support his talent throughout his secondary school training. He received MusicLink camp scholarships to assist in attending the International Institute for Young Musicians for three years. When he was 11, he was chosen to play on From the Top, an nationally syndicated radio broadcast. “From my MusicLink lessons I have learned a variety of things about expression – how to paint music with shapes and colors. I can share this with friends and impress them! The most important thing is to get better at my music and to have fun!”

Dasha Poroshina (OR) was born in Russia and moved to the United States in 2001. She started studying with Elizabeth Stern at the age of eight. She has been a winner nine times in the Oregon Piano Festival and has multiple interests in music through classical piano and composition. Her goals in life are to “pursue a career in the medical field specializing in plastic surgery as well as becoming a pianist.”

Araxi Sayadian (IL) is a student of Laura Knight and, by her own request, has studied the classical guitar for 13 years. She has played the cello in advanced orchestra in her high school for three years. She received a camp scholarship from MusicLink to attend the Ann Arbor Suzuki Guitar Institute in the summer of 2008. “This camp really inspires me to become the best that I can be. When I meet other guitarists around the same age as me that are more advanced they make me want to get to reach that level.” She is currently looking into colleges with music programs.

Kai Talim (OR) started studying piano at the age of 6 and has been studying with Kelli Stephens since 2005. He received a grand piano through the Piano Santa Foundation. MusicLink awarded him camp scholarships to attend the Texas Music Festival for several years. He has won first place in the Suzanne Raines Young Pianist Competition in 2008 and the OMTA Junior Piano Competition in 2007. Kai also studies trumpet with Micah Wilkinson of the Oregon Symphony and plays in the Portland Youth Philharmonic Conservatory Orchestra. Kai realizes the value his performances bring at Sunday services at church. “I think I am special because I am able to express my feelings on the keyboard and put life into music.”

Alastair Witherspoon (MN) has studied the violin and viola through MusicLink since 2004. He began lessons with Lucia May in 2007 and attended Bravo Summer Strings Institute for several years through camp scholarships provided by MusicLink. Alastair performed at the MusicLink National Summit in 2007 where he received a new viola for his musical studies. He has performed in numerous master classes as a sololist and in chamber music performing with his siblings. “Some day I would like to be the principal violist in an orchestra. I would also like to be in my own quartet and, most of all make people happy with my music.”

Imala Witherspoon (MN) has been studying violin with Lucia May through MusicLink since 2007. She received a MusicLink camp scholarship to attend Bravo Summer Strings Institute in 2008. She enjoys performing chamber music with her brothers. “I like getting better on my violin. At camp I learn more in chamber music and get to play with other kids. It’s fun to play in recitals at Bravo and seeing other kids play their instruments. I love being able to play the violin.”

Nygel Witherspoon (MN) is a cello student of David Holmes. He is involved in music on a daily basis, playing trios with his siblings. Last year Nygel received a cello from MusicLink to further his musical studies through our business partnership with Eastman Strings. When asked how he feels about playing his cello with his brother and sister, he replies “It’s a lot of fun.”