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Area Students Chosen to Perform at OMTA Convention

October 28, 2009

Evie Griffin

Caitlin McGowan

Graham Griffin

Emily Stobbe

Mitchell Manlapig

Eighteen students from the Shawnee area in grades three through eight participated in the festival. Event winners included:

Third and Fourth Grade Division: Evie Griffin, daughter of Dale and Donna Griffin of Shawnee. Alternate is Caitlin McGowan, daughter of Tory and Julie McGowan of Shawnee. Honorable Mention is Emily Brown, daughter of John and Andrea Brown of Shawnee.

Fifth and Sixth Grade Division: Mitchell Manlapig, son Michael and Janna Manlapig of Meeker. Alternate is Brianna Greathouse, daughter of Brandi and Bryant Morrow of Lindsay. Honorable Mention is Erin Presley, daughter of Mike and Heidi Presley of Shawnee.

Seventh and Eighth Grade Division: Emily Stobbe, daughter of Dr. John and April Stobbe of Shawnee. Alternate is Graham Griffin, son of Dale and Donna Griffin. Honorable Mention is Emma Morris, daughter of Nicki and Chris Sherman of Shawnee and Brad Morris of Tulsa.

Emily Brown, Mitchell Manlapig, Emma Morris, Erin Presley and Emily Stobbe are from the studio of Kaye Shields. Evie Griffin, Graham Griffin and Caitlin McGowan are from the studio of Jeannie Tyler. Brianna Greathouse is a student of Jonette Hinkle.

Rachel Schmoyer served as the adjudicator for the audition. She currently serves as adjunct piano faculty at Oklahoma Baptist University, and also teaches pre-collegiate students through OBU's Music Preparatory Department. She also is the director of a fine arts academy in Norman.

Schmoyer received her master's degree in piano performance and pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma, graduating with the Gail Boyd de Stwolinski Award, a prestigious award given to outstanding music graduates. She earned her bachelor's degree in piano performance and keyboard pedagogy from Cedarville University in Ohio.

She is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music through MTNA. She enjoys explaining music to an audience before a performance, telling stories and giving listeners particular things to take note of during the course of the recital. One of her goals in life is to make the piano repertoire more easily understood and enjoyable for both the amateur and the non musician.

Conchita Hansford, OBU Music Preparatory director and assistant professor of music, served as coordinator of the Junior Piano Auditions.

In addition to the Winners Recital, the public is invited to a free Conference Artists Recital to be held in Raley Chapel's Yarborough Auditorium Nov. 7 at 10:45 a.m. Pianists are Dr. Carol Ann Bell and Sandra Meyer, OBU piano faculty members.