CMW 2017 Student Composer Competition Winners

CATEGORY "PREPARATORY" CLASS 1:  Mila Pitz

I am 7 years old and I am in grade 2 at St. John’s Ravenscourt School in Winnipeg. I started playing piano when I was 6 years old and my favourite song to play right now is Driving Range. I love Giraffes and my favourite colour is Orange! I also love playing with my Cat KitKat and my sister Alexa!

CATEGORY "A" CLASS 1: Alexa Pitz

My name is Alexa Pitz and I am 9 years old. I am in grade 4 at St. John’s Ravenscourt School in Winnipeg. I have been playing piano since grade 1. My favorite place to be is Falcon Lake. I like to be outdoors and collect animals like frogs, fish, caterpillars, crayfish and other things. I also like to read and swim. I have a sister and a cat I like to play with. I have just started composing a song called the “Online Learning Blues”. In my opinion, school at school is much better than online learning.

CATEGORY "B" CLASS 1: Nigel Stahl

Hi, my name is Nigel Stahl. I started taking piano lessons in grade 4 and am in grade 4 in piano. I’ve won first place in the grade 2 category in my school division’s annual Festival of the Arts. I like playing piano and often arrange hymns to sing with my friends. I also really like to play the accordion. Some of my hobbies are playing instruments, reading, photography, and video-editing.

Category "C":  Graham Nash

Graham Hunter Nash, born in Winnipeg Manitoba, is currently 18 years of age and has been playing piano since he was seven years old. He had always had a love for music, even since birth, but he found it easier expressed through the instrument. Graham has played in the foyer of the centennial Concert hall, opening for the orchestra with many other musicians. He has always had a competitive spirit which has translated into Track and Field at the provincial and national level. Graham is currently enjoying life at home with his parents and his sister.

Category "D":  Anna Schwartz

Anna Schwartz is a piano student attending Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg. Her focus is music and biochemistry looking toward a future in medicine.  She studies piano with Loren Hiebert and Shirley Elias, as well as composition with Neil Weisensel. Anna enjoys studying voice with David Klassen and participates in several choirs, including the CMU Festival Chorus and the Southern Manitoba Choral Society. She holds an ARCT in Piano Performance and earned a provincial Gold Medal in Grade 10 Voice. Anna likes to run, play squash, and improvise on the piano. She often participates in church services as pianist and organist.