August 17, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 15 Cellist Emma Schmiedecke of Allendale and violinist Fabiola Kim of New York have been named dual winners of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra’s Young Artists’ Competition. The competition, which the orchestra reinstated last year, was hosted by Saint Anastasia’s Church in Teaneck. After listening to the five extraordinary semifinalists, the judges concurred there was no clear winner, and announced that Kim and Schmiedecke would share the stage at the presentation concert with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra this fall, launching the orchestra’s 76th concert season. Kim is presently a sophomore at Juilliard. Schmiedecke is a student at Bard Conservatory of Music at Bard College. Both are award-winning musicians. Teaneck residents Rosalind Stone and the late Joseph Stone, past presidents of the Bergen Philharmonic established this annual competition in 1955. At that time, the event was known as the Rosalind & Joseph M. Stone Young Artists’ Competition. Through this competition, many exceptionally talented young artists have been given the opportunity to develop their talents, further their careers, and enrich the musical world. This annual competition has been recognized as a major cultural event, enabling many past winners to reach international recognition. This year’s competition was open to musicians between the ages of 16 and 28 who play the violin, viola, cello, or bass. After the preliminary judging in April, five finalists were chosen to vie for an opportunity to perform with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. Judging the competition were David Gilbert, Krystof Witek, and Ron Levy. Gilbert is the resident conductor and a faculty member of the Manhattan School of Music, and serves as music director/conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic, the Greenwich Symphony Orchestra, and the Senior Concert Orchestra. He has conducted operas and symphonies. He has held the post of assistant conductor of the New York Philharmonic and principal conductor Cellist, violinist win Bergen Philharmonic Competition Judges and winners of the Bergen Philharmonic’s Young Artists’ Competition. Pictured from left to right are Ron Levy, David Gilbert, Fabiola Kim, Emma Schiemedecke, and Krystof Witek. for the American Ballet Theatre. Witek, concertmaster of the Greenwich Symphony since 2003 and winner of the 1992 Artists International Auditions in New York, has appeared as soloist and chamber musician throughout Europe, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, and the United States. He has served as concertmaster with various symphonies and is currently a violinist with the Metropolitan Opera Theatre. He also performs with the “Lion King” on Broadway. Levy, a pianist, is a founding member of the Hudson Trio, Kaleidoscope, the New World Trio, the Manchester Chamber Players, and the Palisades Virtuosi. He is currently an instructor at Montclair State University, Kean University, and the Ridgewood Conservatory. He maintains an active and ongoing affiliation with the Manhattan School of Music, Juilliard, and NJ PAC. Levy is in much demand as an adjudicator, conductor, critic, lecturer, and writer on musical subjects. Funding has been made in possible, in part, by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, through grant funds administered by the Bergen County department of Parks, Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs.Visit www.bergenphiharmonic.org or call (201) 837-1980.