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Sphinx Competition
28th Annual Sphinx Competition
January 22-25, 2025
Junior Division HONORS CONCERT
FRI | JAN 24, 2025 | 12:00 PM
Senior Division FINALS CONCERT
SAT| JAN 25, 2025 | 7:30 PM
Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center
Detroit MI
The Sphinx Competition, held every year in Detroit (MI), is a national competition for string musicians, that transforms lives by celebrating the artistic talent, providing career advancement opportunities and addressing systemic obstacles within Black and Latino communities.
Finalists in both divisions have the opportunity to perform with the professional Sphinx Symphony Orchestra, comprised of top professionals from around the country, and compete for a total of more than $100,000 in prizes, including the top Robert Frederick Smith Prize.
All semi-finalists and finalists have access to scholarships and fine instruments through the Sphinx Music Assistance Fund.
Prizes
SENIOR DIVISION (Ages 18 – 30)
1st Place – $50,000 Robert Frederick Smith Prize and solo appearances with major orchestras
2nd Place – $20,000
3rd Place – $10,000
Audience Choice – $5,000
JUNIOR DIVISION (Ages 17 and under)
1st Place – $10,000, solo appearances with major orchestras
2nd Place – $5,000
3rd Place – $3,000
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Andre Dowell, Chief Programming Officer
Presented by
Application Information
Applications for the Sphinx Competition are processed through our online Acceptd portal.
For eligibility and application requirements, please review the information below.
THE DEADLINE FOR THE 2025 SPHINX COMPETITION CLOSED ON OCTOBER 20, 2024. The application for 2026 Competition will open in the spring of 2025. Join our mailing list to be the first to know when applications open.
2025 Junior Division Semi-Finalists
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Kai Isoke Ali-Landing
Violin
Get to Know Me Video -
Pyotr Alvarado
Cello
Get to Know Me Video -
Elan Dorman Mackenzie
Cello
Get to Know Me Video -
Sofia Hernandez-Williams
Cello
Get to Know Me Video -
Cyrano Jett Rosentrater
Violin
Get to Know Me Video -
Jacqueline Rodenbeck
Violin
Get to Know Me Video -
Emma Jane Spence
Cello
Get to Know Me Video -
Sonya Moomaw
Cello
Get to Know Me Video -
Sydney Li-Jenkins
Violin
Get to Know Me Video
2025 Senior Division Semi-Finalists
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Paul Aguilar
Viola
Get to Know Me Video -
Julianna Bramble
Viola
Get to Know Me Video -
Brendon Elliott
Violin
Get to Know Me Video -
Miquel Fuentes
Cello
Get to Know Me Video -
Ismael Guerrero Bombut
Cello
Get to Know Me Video -
Gabriela Lara
Violin
Get to Know Me Video -
Edward Luengo
Cello
Get to Know Me Video -
Ethan Takao Murphy
Cello
Get to Know Me Video -
Devin O'Brien
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Andres Sanchez
Cello
Get to Know Me Video
2025 Sphinx Competition Jury
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Danielle Belen
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Joseph Conyers
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Charlotte Lee
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Joshua Roman
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Abhijit Sengupta
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Melissa White
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Mark Wilson
“I’m deeply honored and grateful to the Sphinx organization for being the lighthouse for many young artists like me, who are looking with an open heart for an opportunity to share the purest essence of humanity through music. By winning the 24th Annual Sphinx Competition, I have been able to increase my impact and to continue with my artistic purpose of educating and sharing with the young generations the art of violin playing.”
— Samuel Vargas
2021 1st Place Sr. Laureate
Robert Frederick Smith Prize