Announcing the winners of the 2016 Dr. Frances Gray Performance Competition Finals

The 2016 Dr. Frances Gray Performance Competition finals were recently held at the UPEI Department of Music. The judges for the final competition, Alan Reesor, Kelsea McLean, Kirsten MacLaine, Natalie Williams-Calhoun, and David MacDonald, are all well-known musicians and educators in PEI.

The students chosen from the preliminary round were baritone Parker Clements, oboist Marc DesRoches, clarinetist Leah Jordan, soprano Lindsay Gillis, saxophonist Emily Proude, soprano Alexandra Smith, and clarinetist Johanna Vessey.

After an exciting evening of performances, the winners were announced. First place went to Johanna Vessey, Parker Clements took second, and Emily Proude was named third.

Johanna Vessey is a third-year UPEI student pursuing a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Science, majoring in computer science. With clarinet being her primary instrument, Johanna has been a student of Dr. Karem Simon at UPEI. She has been a member of the UPEI Wind Symphony since 2012 and is presently involved in the ensemble as the librarian, president of the executive, and principal clarinetist.

Before attending UPEI, Johanna performed in school bands and provincial honours bands for many years. As a member of the Cadet program, she participated in Cadet bands and performed in the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo in 2011 and 2012. This May, Johanna will be immersed in another musical experience as a member of the National Youth Band of Canada 2016.

Congratulations to all the finalists!