November 19, 2007
Alex Valencia of Ridgefield, N.J., Wins ASTA/NJ Solo Strings Competition
UNION, N.J. - Alex Valencia of Ridgefield, N.J., has won the 2007 ASTA/NJ Solo Strings Competition in the Senior Division. Held at Kean University on November 4, the competition was coordinated by Christopher Kenniff, assistant professor at Kean and director of the Chamber Music Institute and Valencia's instructor. The guitarists performed anonymously for a panel of judges.
"By all accounts, Alex Valencia ran away with the prize," said Kenniff. "During his three years at Kean University, Alex has consistently aspired to the highest level of accomplishment in all of his music studies at Kean, especially with regard to his guitar playing; this award is well deserved."
Kenniff noted that competitors in Valencia's division study at the Mannes Conservatory of Music, The Juilliard School and the College of New Jersey. Valencia will receive a cash prize of $400, compete for the Grand Prize - overall winner across all four divisions of this competition - and will be featured in at least one winner's concert.
Valencia performed Johann Kaspar Mertz' arrangement of a Schubert lied Auftenthalt and a contemporary work by Bryan Johanson, Variations on a Finnish Folksong. "These pieces are technically and musically demanding; quite a bold audition choice, actually," Kenniff noted.
Valencia came to the United States from Colombia in 2001. He first picked up the guitar when he was 13. "The guitar is a very popular instrument in Colombia," he said. "Later, I went to a military school, and to get out of exercising, I joined the school's choir and accompanied it on the guitar. Then I was accepted to the School of Arts in 1999 and received formal training there," Valencia said. "In the U.S., I began studying at the Calderon School in East Hanover, N.J. Ms. Kathleen Calderon is a teacher here at Kean, and she recommended Kean. Receiving the first-place in the competition is very rewarding and evidence that all the hard work pays off." He will spend the prize money of $400 on a new guitar.
"Alex is a truly outstanding student in every respect: academics; dedication to the practice, performance and study of music and related disciplines such as music history, theory, composition; and student leadership. On a personal level, Alex is honest, respectful and a pleasure to work with. It is very gratifying to see Alex win this competition, which is such a marvelous reward for his years of excellent effort," Kenniff added.
"The ASTA/NJ Solo Competition is a major event in the state," Kenniff said. "It draws applicants from New Jersey and other states. The competition was conducted anonymously; the jury knew contestants only by number. "