Emerging Artists Competition
Panama City Symphony’s 2nd Emerging Artists Competition and Encore Showcase, took place at the Amelia Center for the Arts at Gulf Coast State College June 13, 2026. The event was a beautiful blend of talent, heart and soul. Generous sponsors provided nearly $10,000 in prizes. The lucky winners, Joshua Thai and Mana Takahashi will perform a solo recital with Panama City Symphony in the upcoming season. They will each have the extraordinary opportunity to collaborate on a newly commissioned world premiere to be performed with the orchestra.
Application guidelines, division criteria, and video submission requirements for the Third Biennial Competition in 2028 will be announced in the Fall of 2027.
This year, Panama City Symphony welcomed eight college students and three high school students, representing eight of the most prestigious college-level music schools in the nation.
Among the finalists were seven violinists, one cellist, two saxophonists, and one pianist. Judges evaluated the young musicians using three key rating metrics: technical precision, musicality, and overall stage presence. Their performances were deeply moving, emotionally powerful, and inspiring.
Congratulations to Our Winners!
First Place College Division: Joshua Thai
First Place High School Division: Mana Takahashi
Second Place College Division: Carter Doolittle
Third Place College Division: Yeji Hwaang
Audience Choice Award: Vladimir Tsiper
Look for an announcement soon regarding upcoming performances by our competition winners
Special Thanks & Acknowledgments
Panama City Symphony thanks:
- Season Grand Marquis Sponsor: The St. Joe Community Foundation
- Emerging Artists Sponsors: The Isaac W. Byrd Family Foundation and the Mack & Eleanor Lewis Family Foundation
- Media Team: Mike Fender of Fender Photography and Video Producer Greg Cruser
- Hosts: Dr. Jennifer McAtee and the Visual and Performing Arts Department at Gulf Coast State College
- Hospitality Chair: Karen Roganov
A huge THANK YOU goes to our Music Education Chair, Mary Middlemas, who organized this event with incredible diligence, meticulous attention to detail, profound kindness, and a genuine, radiating enthusiasm for music education.
Thank you to our judges:
- John Divine (our Principal Clarinet)
- Erika Sciascia (our Concertmaster)
- Dr. Ben Sung (professor of violin at FSU)
Thank you to our collaborative pianists:
- Steven DiBlasi
- Galen Dean Peiskee
- Ani Mouradian
- Irina Elkina
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