The Grays Harbor Music Teachers Association held their annual Music Artistry Program on Saturday, March 20. Secreatary of the organization Christine Hill said they invite visiting artists to evaluate their students and choose a piano and a voice representative to perform in the Washington State Music Teachers Association state conference honors recitals. This year’s evaluations were performed virtually via Zoom video conference and the state conference recitals will also be virtual.

Hill said the visiting artist for piano was Dr. Jeffrey Gilliam of Western Washington University. The state representative for the piano division, Savannah Farnell, is a student of Erica Hollen of Hoquiam. She will play “The Cat and the Mouse” by Aaron Copeland at the state conference. The alternate is Isaiah Johnson, also a student of Hollen. Those selected for honors are: Anna Thieme, Isarai Thieme, Sophie Marchese and Charlize Gutierrez, students of Hollen and Betsy Rowe, student of Merry Jo Zimmer of Aberdeen.

Visiting artist for voice was Ibidunni Ojikutu of Bellingham. The state representative for the voice division is Emma Dorsch, student of Joy Dorsch of Aberdeen. She will sing “Tornami a Vagheggiar” from Alcina by Handel at the state conference. Those selected for honors are: Amanda Ransom and Daniella Mora-Lamperein, students of Joy Dorsch.

Hill said that Erica Hollen and Joy Dorsch held their own local virtual studio honors recitals.

The Washington State Music Teachers Association virtual state conference will be held, in partnership with Washington State University, June 17-19, 2021 find details at wsmta.org online.