2024 BRAVO! Competition

Fontana is pleased to host the 2024 BRAVO! Competition, joining many community partners to present this annual event for young musicians in Kalamazoo and the surrounding areas.

About the Competition

Established in 2001, the BRAVO! competition was incorporated into Fontana Chamber Arts’ outreach program in 2015 and 2016. In collaboration with local arts organizations and community advocates, Fontana is excited to sponsor BRAVO! once again. Similar in format to NPR’s “From the Top,” BRAVO! is a free public recital that celebrates the talents of area student musicians who audition for spots on the program in front of a panel of professional musicians.

BRAVO! supports advanced-level student musical talent by offering a competitive performance opportunity. Performers are selected for the competition via auditions for a public performance that will showcase the highest level of musical proficiency represented by locally based students.

Student musicians in grades 9 through 12 in any musical discipline may apply.

Congratulations to our 2024 winners!

  • Marie Bunker, Zera Carr, Anna Coleman and Jenna Zaidan – Marimba Quartet, Mattawan High School
  • Leo Egen – Oboe, Gull Lake Virtual Partnership
  • Emelyn Germay and Isaac Sandelin – Clarinet and Piano, Vicksburg High School
  • John Hawver – Piano, Loy Norrix High School
  • Katherine Li – Piano, Portage Central High School
  • Isaac Sandelin – Piano, Vicksburg High School
  • Jason Shaye – Piano, Portage Central High School

These talented young performing artists will be featured in a FREE recital at the Judy K. Jolliffe Theatre in the Epic Center on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 7:00 pm, with portions of the performance broadcast at a later date on WMUK’s 89.9 FM “From the Top” and on Public Media Network with encore presentations.

Other awards and benefits include:

  • The opportunity for professional coaching sessions to help prepare for the performance.
  • Concert tickets from local arts organizations such as Fontana Chamber Arts, The Gilmore, and the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra.
  • Gift cards from a variety of local businesses

Supporting Organizations

It takes a village, and we are so grateful to all of the organizations and individuals who contribute their time, efforts and resources to provide our young musicians the opportunity to perform for you – our community. If you experienced a performance by this select group of students, you would agree that our artistic future is shining bright!