Sphinx Organization’s 25th Annual Sphinx Competition & SphinxConnect: “Forging Alliances” To Be Presented Virtually January 27 - 29

25th annual Sphinx Competition Junior and Senior Division Finals showcasing young Black and Latinx string players to be livestreamed on Saturday, January 29 at 7:00 p.m. ET

SphinxConnect, the largest Diversity, Equity and Inclusion convening in the performing arts sector, to present 20 online sessions designed to inspire action and spark collaboration  

DETROIT, MICHIGAN (JANUARY 21, 2022)—Two of the Sphinx Organization’s flagship annual events —the 25th annual Sphinx Competition for Black and Latinx musicians and the organization’s annual convening, SphinxConnect—will take place virtually Thursday, January 27 through Saturday, January 29.  The events are the first in a year-long celebration of Sphinx’s 25th anniversary, marking a quarter of a century of transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts.

Originally slated to be held in Detroit with in-person participation, both will now be virtual-only owing to uncertainty over the COVID-19 variant developments.   

Sphinx President & Artistic Director Afa S. Dworkin said:

“We are tremendously excited to offer meaningful content, co-curated with the vibrant members of the greater Sphinx community. As the epicenter for artists and leaders in diversity, SphinxConnect is like a family reunion, a coming together of minds and individuals who are looking to forge alliances for our collective good. We are also excited to showcase the most promising young artists competing for $100,000 in prizes and scholarships. The Sphinx Competition is celebrating its 25th edition this year and it remains an integral part of our systemic work in centering excellence and diversity in classical music."

The 25th Annual Sphinx Competition Finals – January 29

The Sphinx Competition is a national competition offering young Black and Latinx classical string players an opportunity to compete and perform under the guidance of an internationally renowned panel of judges that, in addition to adjudicating the competition, mentors the participants including masterclasses. The six finalists–three each from the Junior and Senior divisions–will perform virtually and compete for a total of nearly $100,000 in prizes, including the top Robert Frederick Smith Prize of $50,000, second and third place prizes, and the “Audience Choice” prize given to one finalist in each category chosen by viewers via text. All semi-finalists and finalists also have access to scholarships and fine instruments through the Sphinx Music Assistance Fund.

For this virtual concert, the finalists will perform their concertos with a collaborative pianist submitted by video. Historically, the six Sphinx finalists from both divisions have performed live with the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra at Detroit’s Orchestra Hall. 

The finals concert will be livestreamed by Sphinx via sphinxmusic.org, YouTube, and Facebook, Detroit Public Television, and The Violin Channel on Saturday, January 29 at 7:00 p.m. ET presented by the DTE Foundation.

The 2022 Sphinx Competition panel of seven judges comprises: cellist Zuill Bailey, Associate Professor of Violin at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, Danielle Belen, violist Juan-Miguel Hernandez, cellist Patrice Jackson, violinist Midori, bassist Laura Snyder, and violinist Melissa White. The panel includes four Sphinx Competition laureates: Ms. Belen (2008), Mr. Hernandez (2006), Ms. Jackson (2002), and Ms. White (2001).

Senior Division Finalists

The 2022 Sphinx Competition Senior Division Finalists (Ages 18 - 30) are: Kebra-Seyoun Charles, double bass (Miami, FL), Gabriela Lara, violin (Venezuela), and Harper Randolph, viola (Washington, DC).

These three finalists chosen from the Senior Division will compete for the 1st place – $50,000 Robert Frederick Smith Prize and solo appearances with major orchestras; a 2nd place prize of $20,000 and a 3rd place prize of $10,000. Additionally, one finalist will receive an “Audience Choice” prize of $5,000. 

Junior Division Finalists

The 2022 Sphinx Competition Junior Division Finalists (Ages 17 and under) are: Ana Isabella España, violin (New York, NY), Brandon Leonard, cello (Stone Mountain, GA), and Jonathan Okseniuk, violin (Mesa, AZ).

These three finalists from the Junior Division will compete for  a 1st place prize of $10,000, solo appearances with major orchestras, and a nationally-broadcast radio appearance on “From the Top;” a 2nd place prize of $5,000, and a 3rd place prize of  $3,000. The finalist chosen for the “Audience Choice” award will receive $1,000. 

SphinxConnect 2022: Forging Alliances – January 27 - 29

SphinxConnect will take place Thursday, January 27 through Saturday, January 29 with more than 70 speakers participating in over 20 sessions. bookended by plenary sessions with four innovative and exemplary artists. The opening plenary session features Grammy and MacArthur Award-winning musician and Artistic Director of Silkroad, Rhiannon Giddens, joined by Sphinx’s Founder, Aaron P.  Dworkin, in a wide-reaching and personal conversation. They will talk about Ms. Giddens’ artistic journey, from her training as an opera singer, co-founding the Carolina Chocolate Drops, to her current collaborations. They will also talk about how she has expanded into composing, acting, and leadership roles, and how all of these things—combined with her cultural background—guide her in her lifelong mission to lift up people whose contributions to American musical history have previously been erased, and to work toward a more accurate understanding of the country’s musical origins. 

The closing plenary session speaker is Weston Sprott, Dean of the Preparatory Division at The Juilliard School and a trombonist in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, who will be interviewed by acclaimed pianist, curator, and social activist Lara Downes.  Mr. Sprott and Ms. Downes are alumni of multiple Sphinx programs and recipients of the Sphinx Medal of Excellence and the Sphinx Venture Fund. They will discuss Mr. Sprott’s background and personal pathway from musician to administration and higher education, what inspires him, and how the pandemic has required finding new ways to collaborate and innovate.

SphinxConnect sessions include such topics as “Young, Gifted, and Bold: The Power of Emerging Leaders in Culture Change,” “Empowerment or Burden: a dialogue surrounding the charge of today's diversity officers,” “Shame or Reframe? Balancing activist vs collaborative approaches to DE&I online,” and “Winning the War on Education: Innovate or Perish” among many others. Each of the sessions is a roundtable discussion format, moderated by one of the speakers. Registered viewers can participate in real-time, submitting questions for the panelists. Full schedule and program details are available online and below. 

Registration for SphinxConnect includes a $150 General Admission pass that allows access to all the virtual events. There is also a pay-what-you-wish registration option ranging from $0-$150 that provides access to all sessions, offered to reduce any financial barrier to participating. Registration is available online at sphinxmusic.org.

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25th ANNUAL SPHINX COMPETITION
SPHINXCONNECT 2022: FORGING ALLIANCES
Thursday, January 27 - Saturday, January 29, 2022

 

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27

 

7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET

Opening Plenary

 

The launch of SphinxConnect 2022: Forging Alliances

 

A Conversation with Rhiannon Giddens

 

Speakers:

Afa S. Dworkin, President & Artistic Director, Sphinx Organization

Rhiannon Giddens, musician, Artistic Director of Silkroad

Aaron P. Dworkin, Founder, Sphinx Organization

This session will include a live performance by Ms. Giddens.

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 28

 

12:40 p.m. to 1:40 p.m.

New Horizons

This conversation will share the visions of the next-generation of CEOs who are setting the stage for the future of our sector.

 

Speakers: 

Melissa Ngan, President and CEO, American Composers Orchestra

Anwar Nasir, Executive Director, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra

Lecolion Washington, Executive Director, Community Music Center of Boston

Michael Bobbitt, Executive Director, Mass Cultural Council

DeLashea Strawder, Executive & Artistic Director, Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit

 

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12:40 p.m. to 1:40 p.m.

Young, Gifted, and Bold: The Power of Emerging Leaders in Culture Change

Join the next generation of groundbreaking entrepreneurs who will discuss the motivation, realities, challenges, and rewards of creating a sustainable enterprise in the arts. They will discuss the initial “spark” of inspiration that led to their innovations, and how their enterprises impact culture and what this change means across the sectors they work within, including television, film, and music education.

 

Speakers:

Leyah Barris, Writer/Producer

Derrick Jones, Director/ Entrepreneur, Huxl Republic Films

DuMarkus Davis, Founder and CEO, Musicbuk

Deidre Lambert-Bounds, President, Ignite Social Media

 

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2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Dare to Impact

A conversation on collecting and combining cross-sector forces to achieve greater impact.  How can and do we learn from leaders and institutions outside of our immediate realm to ensure the effectiveness of our work? Speakers will discuss how and why they instigated new partnerships and relationships, what they have gained, and how other people can adopt this approach.

 

Speakers:

Kristal Pacific, Program Officer, Cultural Investments, Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation

Lane Harwell, Program Officer, Creativity and Expression at Ford Foundation

Melanca Clark, President & CEO, Hudson-Webber Foundation

Jennifer Acree, Program Officer, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

 

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2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Empowerment or Burden: a dialogue surrounding the charge of today's diversity officers

In the last several years amidst many social impact challenges and world events, a number of arts organizations have taken the step to create senior roles for diversity officers. This conversation examines the various leadership philosophies and realities surrounding these positions, the challenges and opportunities they face, and how these leaders envision the impact of their work.

 

Speakers:

Christina Salgado, Director for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Program Initiatives, The Juilliard School

Ugochi Onyeukwu, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, New York Philharmonic

Marcia Sells, Chief Diversity Officer, Metropolitan Opera

Robert Sellers, Vice Provost for Equity and Inclusion & Chief Diversity Officer, University of Michigan

 

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2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Stocks, Bonds, and Bets

How do we take stock of our values, make lasting bonds, and bet on authentic partnerships for greater impact? Join the conversation on alliance, investments, and accountability.

 

Speakers:

Kendra Whitlock Ingram, President and CEO, Marcus Performing Arts Center

Margaret Morton, Director, Creativity and Free Expression, Ford Foundation

Cayenne Harris, Vice President, Education & Community Engagement, University Musical Society (UMS)

 

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3:20 p.m. to 4:20 p.m.

Making Room, Doing Right

A session exploring specific ways in which allies and leaders everywhere can generate impact by centering others. Hear from leaders who have “made room at their tables” for artists and employees of color, and how this is impacting broader institutional questions such as succession and empowering and propelling a change at the top.

 

Speakers:

Jenny Bilfield, President & CEO, Washington Performing Arts

Harold Brown, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Kerrien Suarez, President, Equity in the Center

Yvette Loynaz, Director of Artistic Administration, Opera Theatre of St. Louis

Rick Sperling, Founder, Detroit Excellence in Youth Arts (DEYA)

 

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3:20 p.m. to 4:20 p.m.

Signaling Forward: Association of Allied Doers

After the virtue signaling and beyond social media indictments, we find ourselves at a crossroads. We've issued the statements, we've assembled the task forces, and we've zoomed in (and Zoomed out!) on all the issues. This dialogue explores ways in which we signal forward as individual leaders, artists, and organizations, moving past the public indictments and canceling the work of others, because we are better together than the sum of our parts.

 

Speakers:

Susan Feder, Program Officer, Arts and Culture, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

Alan Valentine, President & CEO, Nashville Symphony

Doris Parent, Vice President of IDEAS & Strategic Partnerships, The Philadelphia Orchestra

Tammie Belton, Vice President, People and Culture, Cleveland Institute of Music

 

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3:20 p.m. to 4:20 p.m.

Classically Black: Podcast Recording

Kathryn Brown, Co-host, Classically Black Podcast

Dalanie Harris, Co-host, Classically Black Podcast

Shall We, Shan’t We?
In this time of significant change, many have begun reevaluating their priorities and values. As frequent instances of institutional racism have entered the public discourse, many Black musicians have been confronted with this dilemma: should we continue to participate in systems that oppress us, or create a new path of our own? 

 

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4:40 p.m. to 5:40 p.m.

Rising LEADers

Rising arts administrators discuss challenges and successes of diversifying the administration. 

 

Speakers:

Angelica Cortez, Interim President and CEO, El Systema USA

Terell Johnson, Executive Director, Chicago Philharmonic

Achia Floyd, Associate Director of Development, Atlanta Music Project

Enrique Marquez, Music Director, Interlochen Center for the Arts

 

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4:40 p.m. to 5:40 p.m.

Learning to Disrupt ‘the White Racial Frame’ in an Industry Rooted In It

What does it mean to have our communication tools recognize and challenge the dominant White racial frame and neutrality mindset? How can we hold ourselves and each other accountable and embrace feedback when racism appears in our work? Where do we go from here? In the 2020-21 season, the Minnesota Orchestra initiated a series of three concurrent Anti-Racist Learning Projects, intended to serve as important steps on its path to reduce its reliance on and reproduction of white privilege. The organization-wide projects focus on three topic areas: increasing literacy and critical thinking about anti-racism; growing the Orchestra’s engagement with AMELIA (African, Middle Eastern, Latin, Indigenous, Asian) composers and diversifying its artistic programming and musical literacy; and shifting communications and marketing messages to identify and challenge dominant white racial frames. This work, guided by Justin Laing of Hillombo LLC, is a step towards deepening and making more mutually beneficial the Orchestra’s relationships with AMELIA individuals, organizations and communities. They discuss this work here.

 

Speakers:

Beth Kellar-Long, Vice President of Orchestra Administration, Minnesota Orchestra

Justin Laing, Founder, Hillombo

Lindsay Goff, Senior User Experience Manager, Minnesota Orchestra

 

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4:40 p.m. to 5:40 p.m.

All About the Benjamins

Our field exhibits recurring allergic reactions to numbers when it comes to setting goals (quotas) for re-prioritizing serious issues, like representation. But if budgets are moral documents, how can we ensure change without marked commitments to resources dedicated to help us walk-the-walk? Hear from organizations who have set specific goals and found sources of funding, the challenges they have faced, and what the results have been.

 

Speakers:

Lee Ann Norman, Director, Learning and Leadership Programs, League of American Orchestras

Marc Scorca, President/CEO, Opera America

Ana De Archuleta, Director of Artistic Operations, National Sawdust

Taneshia Nash Laird, President and CEO, Newark Symphony Hall

Omari Rush, Executive Director, CultureSource

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 29

 

12:40 p.m. to 1:40 p.m.

All Aboard: Governance in the Age of DE&I

Boards of Directors hold fiduciary and governance responsibility for arts organizations. The art of governance is complex as it can be both delicate and robust. Join a discussion with leaders as they examine the layered elements of responsible leadership, accountability, and empowerment and how these responsibilities have shifted in the age of DE&I becoming a focus and priority. 

 

Speakers:

Sharnita Johnson, Vice President of Strategy, Impact, and Communications, Victoria Foundation

Joseph Conyers, Assistant Principal Bass, Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra and Founder & Executive Director, Project 440

Tracey Robertson Carter, Director, Carter Projects Miami LLC

Terry Woodard, Vice Chairman, JPMorgan Chase

 

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12:40 p.m. to 1:40 p.m.

NAAS Roundtable

Since its launch in 2018, The National Alliance for Audition Support (NAAS) has empowered more than 250 Black and Latinx orchestral musicians. Last year, NAAS released the Recommended Audition and Tenure Guidelines and has worked closely with its 100 orchestra partners to facilitate their implementation. Earlier this week, NAAS hosted the Sphinx Orchestral Partners Audition (SOPA), the second year the audition preview was combined with an Excerpt Competition. The SOPA Excerpt Competition provides Black and Latinx orchestral musicians the unique opportunity to audition for a panel representing several orchestras seeking to identify musicians for invitation to auditions, pre-advancement at auditions and/or placement on substitute player lists. Hear from SOPA artists, orchestral musicians, and administrators present the results of NAAS's work in promoting fair audition practices and the impact of NAAS's mission to increase diversity in American orchestras.

 

Speakers:

Bill Neri, Manager of Ensemble Advancement and Artist Engagement, Sphinx Organization

Paul Pietrowski, Vice President of Orchestra and Production, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Sabrina Bradford,Violinist, Minnesota Orchestra

 

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2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Shame or Reframe? Balancing activist vs collaborative approaches to DE&I online

In today’s world, social media often serves as the primary source of information about and communication between people and organizations. Some utilize these platforms to "call out" injustice and perceived bad actors while others focus on positive feedback and partnerships with good actors. Does one approach result in more impact than the other? And, regardless of which approach we choose, what are the best strategies to achieve our individual or community goals? The perspectives of an activist-artist-educator, entrepreneur, and academic leader join together for what promises to be a respectful discussion with vigorous debate over this critically important issue.

 

Speakers:

Titus Underwood, Nashville Symphony Principal Oboe and Cincinnati Conservatory of Music Associate Professor

Quanice Floyd, Executive Director, National Guild for Community Arts Educations

Daniel Roumain, Composer, Violinist, Educator

Aaron P. Dworkin, Founder, Sphinx Organization

 

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2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Harvesting Low Hanging Fruits

Modeling equitable practices through the prism of “can-do”: exploring practical aspects of the art of possibility in academia and how this work reaps rewards by engaging young people at the beginning of their artistic journey.

 

Speakers:

Lorenzo Candelaria, Dean, Vanderbilt University | Blair School of Music

Lucinda Ali-Landing, Executive Director, Hyde Park Suzuki Institute

Alexa Smith, Chief of Staff and Assistant Vice President for Special Initiatives, Manhattan School of Music

Patrice Jackson, Associate Professor, Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory at Berklee College of Music.

 

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3:20 p.m. to 4:20 p.m.

Stick(ing) Points, With Strings Attached

Conducting change, leading from traditional seats: the present and future role of music directors and concertmasters/section leaders in evolving tradition. Hear from people who hold the sticks and play the strings on the roles they have taken to help their orchestras leave their comfort zones and evolve. 

 

Speakers:

Tito Muñoz, Music Director, Phoenix Symphony

Constantine Orbelian, Music Director and Principal Conductor, New York City Opera

Alexander Kerr, Concertmaster, Dallas Symphony Orchestra/Professor, Indiana University

Titus Underwood, Nashville Symphony Principal Oboe and Cincinnati Conservatory of Music Associate Professor

 

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3:20 p.m. to 4:20 p.m.

Higher Registers: Evolving Artistic Excellence

Exploring practical changes surrounding programming, leadership, risk-taking, and evolving the artistic and citizenship mindset of our programmers and audiences. Evolving programming does not require diminishing artistic merit. Hear from artistic leaders on programming diverse work, the response they have had, and some of the challenges they have faced. (Orchestra-focused.) 

 

Speakers:

Jennifer Arnold, Director of Artistic Planning and Orchestral Operations, Richmond Symphony

Joseph Young, Artistic Director, Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University

Erik Rönmark, President & CEO, Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, Resident Conductor of Engagement and Education, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

 

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3:20 p.m. to 4:20 p.m.

Artist Collectives of Tomorrow vs. Cover Bands of Yesteryear

A discussion on the role of innovation, collaboration, and accountability, as well as how to evolve our concepts of tradition in orchestras today to break away from formulaic programming. 

 

Speakers:

Lady Jess, Urban Playground Chamber Orchestra

Ed Yim, Chief Content Officer and Senior VP, WQXR, New York Public Radio

Marlon Daniel, Artistic and Music Director, Festival International de Musique Saint-Georges and Associate Conductor, Florida Grand Opera

Gary Padmore, Director of Education and Community Engagement, New York Philharmonic

 

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4:40 p.m. to 5:40 p.m.

Where the Wild Things Are

In the summer of 2020, our world came to a poignant stop. A series of tragic events generated a response sometimes characterized as a wake-up call, although arguably we as a society and a field have simply been hitting the snooze button for many decades prior. To expect wild outcomes, one must welcome wildly different processes: as such, this session discusses alliances and partnerships born and realized since then, details the specific results that may meaningfully differ from our past.

 

Speakers:

David Stull, President, San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Jazmín Morales, Assistant Director, Center for Innovation & Community Impact, Colburn School

Lee Bynum, Vice President, Impact, Minnesota Opera

Yuval Sharon, Founder/Artistic Director, The Industry and Artistic Director, Michigan Opera Theatre

 

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4:40 p.m. to 5:40 p.m.

Winning the War on Education: Innovate or Perish

As educational institutions continue to struggle with foundational skill gaps, enrollment, cultural inclusion, and other issues, how can educators aid in sparking, designing, and implementing meaningful change and innovation in higher education? This panel will examine the creative and impactful methods educators are using in addressing issues of curriculum, race, culture, class, and culturally relevant pedagogy.

 

Speakers:

Rod Vester, Director of Contemporary Music, Shenandoah University

Barrett Hipes, Dean of Student Development, The Juilliard School

Lía Uribe, Associate Chair and Professor of Music, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Artina McCain, Assistant Professor of Piano, University of Memphis

 

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6:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Closing Plenary

 

A Conversation with Weston Sprott

 

Speakers:

Weston Sprott, Dean of the Preparatory Division, The Juilliard School; Trombonist, The Metropolitan Opera

Lara Downes, Pianist, Creator and Host of NPR’s AMPLIFY with Lara Downes, Creator and Curator of Rising Sun Music 

 

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7:00 p.m.

25th Annual Sphinx Competition Finals Concert 

Presented by the DTE Foundation

WATCH: sphinxmusic.org, YouTube, and Facebook , Detroit Public Television, and The Violin Channel