Elementary School winner Diego Stine, homeschooled, Vienna, Virginia Diego Stine, age 10, started taking piano lessons at home. He plays double bass and tuba in his school groups and sings in the Fairfax (Virginia) Choral Society youth choir. Diego is a self-taught composer. Besides music, Diego also enjoys soccer, acting, photography, and traveling. Diego speaks Spanish, Greek, and Chinese. Listen to Diego’s composition Cherry’s Theme
Middle School winner Cassidy Johnson, Berry M.S., Hoover, AL Cassidy Johnson, age fourteen, attended Berry Middle School in Hoover, Alabama. She was first introduced to music at the age of ten, when she learned to read music and played the recorder. She began to play the clarinet in sixth grade. Cassidy also learned to play the contra- alto clarinet and joined the pep band and jazz band. In 7th and 8th grades, Cassidy was selected to participate in the Gadsden, Samford, and District honor bands. In eighth grade, she was selected for the University of Alabama-Birmingham honor band and All-State. Since the summer of 2009, Cassidy has participated in UAB’s music technology camp, where she became interested in electronic composition. Along with her winning composition Proof, she composed a second piece entitled Celtic Rhapsody. In her spare time, Cassidy enjoys listening to comedy and dub step music. She also enjoys participating on academic teams such as Scholars Bowl, Robotics Team, and Science Olympiad. She aspires to be a music technologist. Listen to Cassidy’s composition Proof
High School winner Kristina Higgins, Island Trees H.S., Levittown, NY Kristina “Kina” Higgins is a 2012 graduate of Island Trees High School in Levittown, NY. She has been involved in different forms of music, theatre, and art throughout her life, performing in choirs since elementary school, as well as in talent shows, competitions, and school plays. Kina served as president of her school chorus during her senior year. Kina’s play, The Average Lives Of Wayton High, was brought to the stage as the Island Trees H.S. fall 2011 theatre production. She not only wrote this play, but acted in the production as well. J. Peter Hansen, Higgins’ music teacher from 2009-2012, introduced Kina to electronic music composition in her sophomore year of high school. She has since composed many pieces in and out of his classroom, including her winning composition The Battle. Higgins will be attending college in the fall as a theatre major, but will continue to expand on her love of music and voice as well. Listen to Kristina’s composition The Battle
