TDP Student Musicians To Compete in Sphinx Competition

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Talent Development Program (TDP) student musician Myrtil Mitanga and TDP alumnus Xavier Foley are semi-finalists in the prestigious 2013 Sphinx Competition. The annual competition offers young African-American and Latino classical string players the opportunity to compete under a renowned panel of judges and to perform in a competition setting.

The student musicians will perform selected solo repertoire with the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra February 15 and 17, 2013, in Detroit, MI, and are two of only 18 semi-finalists. Both will compete for cash prizes and performance opportunities, as well as access to scholarships.

Ms. Mitanga, 17, is a cellist and senior at the Atlanta International School. She has been a member of the Talent Development Program since 2004. Ms. Mitanga studies under Martha Gerschefski and has received chamber music coaching from Atlanta Symphony Orchestra violinist Ronda Respess. She is also a member of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra (ASYO), and was recently selected as one of the winners of the ASYO's annual concerto competition. Ms. Mitanga will be a featured soloist at the Youth Orchestra's Finale Concert on Sunday, May 12, 2013.

Mr. Foley, 18, is a classically-trained double bassist who currently studies at the Curtis Institute of Music. He is a former member of the ASO's Talent Development Program, where he studied under Atlanta Symphony double bass Douglas Sommer, and the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra.