Two young Ave Maria residents have distinguished themselves at a regional piano competition.
Colleen Kirkpatrick of Hampton Village was awarded first place in the junior division of the 2011 FGCU/Steinway Piano Competition, while Julian Gonzalez of Emerson Park took third place in the senior division. Both of them received their prizes and scholarship awards at a ceremony last weekend at FGCU.
The two young virtuosos are students of Joanne Smith, a professor at FGCU, pictured at left in the photo. Also pictured, left-right: Greg Billings, owner of Steinway Piano Gallery which co-sponsored the competition, Miss Kirkpatrick, Mr. Gonzalez and Kevin Boyd, who won first place in the senior division.
Two young Ave Maria residents have distinguished themselves at a regional piano competition.