On Saturday’s broadcast, we feature two wind instruments: the flute and tuba!
18-year-old flutist Lydia Walquist recently graduated from Lisle High School. She was appointed principal flute of the Chicago Orchestral Academy in 2016. She previously served as the principal flute under Meng Kong Tham with the Youth Symphony of DuPage in 2015. Lydia currently studies flute with Susan Levitin and is coached by Sooka Wang. As a soloist, Lydia performed with the Oistrakh Symphony and the Chicago Orchestral Academy (formerly known as Protege Philharmonic), in the Society of American Musician’s winners recital for two consecutive years, the Consummate Flutist, the Chicago Flute Club’s membership showcase, Eastman School of Music’s International Flute Masterclass, Ohio State University Flute Workshop, and Amy Porter’s MPulse Flute Institute at the University of Michigan. During her high school career, Lydia won first place in competitions such as the DePaul Young Artist Concerto Festival, the Society of American Musicians Annual Young Artist Competition, and the Protege Philharmonic’s Young Artist Competition. Lydia placed in the Enkor International Competition, the Chicago Flute Club student competitions, and the Youth Symphony of DuPage Concerto Competitions. She was awarded scholarships, including the Alice S. Pfaelzer Merit Award, MPulse Summer Performing Arts Institute Merit Scholarship Award, Esther Nagursey Tucker Memorial Scholarship Award, Mary Staton Scholarship, and COD’s Got Talent Award. In the fall, Lydia plans to attend the Royal Academy of Music in London.
18-year-old tuba player Robert Black recently graduated from Vernon Hills High School. He studies with Scott Tegge, tuba professor at Northern Illinois University, Carthage College, and DePaul University. In 2018, Robert placed first in both the Marine Band Concerto Competition and the Leonard Falcone International Tuba and Euphonium Competition. He has also been a featured soloist with the North Suburban Wind Ensemble in 2017 and 2019. Robert has received honorable mentions in the 2017 Birch Creek Burton Concerto Competition, 2018 Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, and the 2018 Walgreens Concerto Competition. Robert also performs in many ensembles. He has been a member of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras (CYSO) for seven years, in addition to the North Suburban Wind Ensemble. Robert has spent his summers in programs such as the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, the Birch Creek Music Performance Center, and the Gene Pokorny Redlands Seminar. He will study music at Rice University in the fall.