Meagan Martin emerges victorious at the Hershey Felder Competition for Classical Performers
Hershey Felder's Competition Encourages Classical Musicians at UCLA
Last week, the Hershey Felder Competition for Classical Musicians took place at the Popper Theater, funded by the award-winning actor, playwright, director, and producer. The competition, aimed at pushing classical musicians to perform at their best, saw six students from UCLA's Herb Alpert School of Music compete.
Hershey Felder coached the students during a public masterclass, emphasizing the importance of interacting with the audience in a personal and personable way. He challenged them to "make every note count" and expressed great satisfaction in knowing that the competition and award motivated the students to explore their individuality as performers.
Meagan Martin, a vocal performance D.M.A. student, emerged as the winner. Her winning performance included "Una voce poco fa" from Rossini's The Barber of Seville and "The Boy From..." by Mary Rodgers and Stephen Sondheim. Martin found talking to the audience before singing a note to be an amazing way to establish a connection, and she attributed the comedy within the music as making a huge difference in her performance.
Due to a tie between the other five competitors, Felder announced an increase in his gift to award each competitor with a share of the cash award. He stated that the students have built on their musical talent and training, and have determined how to engage and build an audience.
For those interested in future events or details about the competition, it may be unpublished or managed via private/unofficial channels. Checking UCLA’s official music department or events webpage directly, searching on Hershey Felder’s official website or social media channels, or contacting UCLA’s classical music program or event coordinators are recommended for the most accurate and current details.
The Hershey Felder Competition not only showcases classical musicians' talents but also encourages exploration of individuality through entertainment, as demonstrated by Meagan Martin's winning performance that included selections from Rossini's The Barber of Seville and "The Boy From...". Felder's encouragement to make every note count extends to all aspects of performance, including engaging the audience in a personal manner.
