Philharmonic’s youth competition winners announced

Four Southern Nevada students won the Las Vegas Philharmonic's annual Young Artists Competition Nov. 8: violinist Nikita Hudong, 12, of Del Webb Middle School; harpist Sara Kantor, 15, of The Adelson School; violinist Yuhi Kim, 16, of Nevada State High School; and flutist Lauren Chao, 17, of Green Valley High School.

For the competition, Nikita performed the violin solo from Lalo's Symphonie Espangole, second movement; Sara performed Gilère's Harp Concerto, third movement; Yuhi performed Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto, first movement; and Lauren performed Ibert's Flute Concerto, third movement.

The competition was judged by the Philharmonic's assistant conductor Richard McGee, Tom Wright (principal trumpet) and Joan McGee (second oboist).

The musicians will perform during the Youth Concert Series for fourth- and fifth-graders at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas on Friday and Monday through Jan. 16.

In other youth news:

* The Fencing Academy of Nevada announced its automatic qualifiers to the 2008 Junior Olympic Championships in February in Charlotte, N.C.

The qualifiers are: Dakota Root, 15; Narayan Pathi, 17, and Thomas Schumacher, 15, both of Bishop Gorman High School; and Kian Ameli, 16, and Nik-Nik Ameli, 14, both of Palo Verde High School.

All five fencers qualified by their standings in North American Cup, U.S. National Championships and international competitions.

* The performing arts department of Bishop Gorman High School will present its winter music concert at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday in the Clark County Library Theatre, 1401 E. Flamingo Road.

The concert will feature performances by Gaels on Broadway, Heart and Soul, Gaels Guitar, the string ensemble and the varsity band. Tickets are $10-$12. For more information, call Elena Ferrante-Martin at 732-1945, Ext. 4214.

* American Red Cross lifeguard training courses for ages 16 and older will be offered 4:30-8 p.m. Monday through Friday Jan. 14-25 and Feb. 18-29 at the city of Las Vegas Municipal Pool, 431 E. Bonanza Road. The course fee is $50.

A two-week pre-lifeguard skills class will be offered at 7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays Feb. 4-13, March 3-12 and April 28-May 7 for $16.

For more information, call 229-6309.

If you know of a worthy candidate for this column, mail information to Youth Spotlight, Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125-0070, or send faxes to 383-4676.