GFMC Congratulates the GFMC Junior Composer Winners !
Jr, Class IV Category
Emilie Vu, 1st Place State Winner Composition: “Snow Drifts”
Teacher: Gayle Vann
Emilie Vu, age 17, is an Honor student at Lanier High School, where she has a 4.0 GPA. She is an active member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club and on the student council. Emilie is also on the Varsity Competitive Cheerleading team, which placed 3rd in the State this year. She has received a number of awards as a scholar athlete. This year she enjoys dual enrollment in college and High School
She has participated in Federation since she was 5 years old in both solo, duet, and concerto events. She is looking forward to earning her 90-point Cup next year. Her compositions have received First or Second place in Georgia in 2015, 2017, 2021 and again in 2023 in the Junior Composers Contest in Georgia.
Emilie plans on attending UGA upon graduation, and wants to major in Health promotion, working in neonatal care or as a physician assistant.
Eva Lesciauskas, 2nd place State Winner Composition:”Giverny in the Rain”
Teacher: Gayle Vann
Eva Lesciauskas, is a Sophomore at Norcross High School, where she is an Honors and AP student, maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She studies art, and has had many of her art works displayed at the school and county shows. She is interested in continuing her art studies after High School
She began piano lessons at age 5 with her grandmother, Gayle Vann. She has played in the Federation Festivals for 12 years, with Consecutive Superior ratings in Solo, Duet, and Concerto events. She is looking forward to earning her 75-point Cup next year, and her 90-point Cup her Senior year. Eva has also participated in the Jr. Composers Contest every year since Kindergarten, and has earned her 75-point Cup this year! Her piano compositions have received awards in both Federation and in the PTA Reflections programs many years. This year her composition, Giverny in the Rain, was Second Place in State.
Besides piano and art, Eva enjoys hiking, learning French and Spanish, and playing with her baby brother, Ollie.
Jr Class III Category
Abigail Vann-Reifler, 1st Place State Winner Composition: “Whispering Voice”
Teacher, Wendy Vann-Reifler
Abigail Vann-Reifler has been playing piano since she was 4 years old, and has studied with Gayle and Wendy Vann. At the age of 5, Abby began composing for the PTA Reflection’s Program and the Junior Composers Contest. In 2015-2016, her original song, “Let Your Imagination Fly” won first place for Junior Composers for the State of Georgia and the Southeastern Division. Since then, she has won 1st or 2nd place many times for her original songs at State. This past year, her song not only placed first for Junior Composers, but also first at State for the PTA Reflection Contest for the 9th grade.
Abby has played for 9 years in Federation Festivals, earning Superior ratings in Solo, Duet and Concerto events. She has earned her 60 Point Cup for Composition, and 45 Point Cups for Solos and Duets. She is on the right path to earn a 90-point cup by graduation.
In addition to Federation Festivals, she participates in National Guild Auditions, NDMTA Bach, Sonata, and Local and Regional Auditions for GMTA.
Abby also loves theatre. She has taken many years of dance, and performed with dance companies. As a High School student, she joined the Theater company and enjoyed roles in the Norcross High School Musical products 2022-2023 season.
Abby is an Honor student and works hard at her endeavors. She thanks her family for their support and continued guidance through the years.
Aidan Voyles, 2nd Place State Winner. Composition:”Winter Storm”
Teacher: Lisa Bassett
Aidan Voyles is a freshman at North Hall High School in Hall County Georgia. Aidan has been playing piano for 9 years. In addition to playing piano, Aidan is currently an active scout with Troop 26 in Gainesville, Georgia. He is also a member of the North Hall High School Speech and Debate team where he qualified for nationals, and is a member of the Beta Club, and the chess club. Aidan is also an active member of Grace Episcopal Church where he serves as an acolyte and occasionally plays piano during services.
Jr. Class II Category
Ethan Vann, 1st Place State and Regional Winner. Composition: “The Thrill of the Chase”
Teacher: Gayle Vann
He was awarded $100.00 from the Regional Competition. His composition advances to the National Contest.
Ethan Vann, age 11, is the son of Derek and Stephanie Vann. He has participated in both the solo category and duet category of GFMC Festivals for 7 years, as well as the Jr. Composers Contest. He is very excited that his composition for piano in 2023, The Thrill of the Chase, has been awarded First Place in Jr. Class 2 for the State of Georgia. Just recently, he learned that he has also been awarded First Place in Jr. Class 2 in the Southeast Region!
Ethan and sister Sydney both study piano with their Nana, Gayle Vann. Besides piano, they enjoy swimming and playing with their baby sister, Katie.
Jason Liu, 2nd Place State Winner. Composition:”Buoyancy”
Teacher: Gayle Vann
Jason Liu, age 12, has been studying piano with Mrs. Gayle Vann for 7 years. He really enjoys learning music, composition, and singing, and has earned Superior Ratings in piano solo, duet, and composition for the past 7 years in the Federation Festivals and Jr. Composers Contest. His composition for 2023, Buoyancy, was inspired by the special experiences in 2022. Besides the Federation Festivals, Jason has also attended National Piano Playing Auditions (Guild) and received Superior Ratings for the past 6 years performing National programs of 10 pieces.
In addition, Jason also loves to play table tennis. He is currently a Team USA U11 member. He has represented USA in Pan America 2022 and was awarded two gold medals and two silver medals.
Jr. Class 1 Category
Sydney Vann, 1st Place State Winner. Composition: “Dancing in the Meadows,”
Teacher: Gayle Vann
Sydney Vann began piano lessons at the age of 4 with her grandmother, Gayle Vann. She has played in the Federation Festival for 3 years, earning a Superior Rating in both the Solo and Duet events. This year she will receive her 15-point Gold Cups in both events!
Sydney starting composing right away, and entered her piano pieces in the Jr. Composers Contest starting at age 4. This year, her composition, Dancing in the Meadow, was First Place in Jr. Class One.
Besides playing the piano, Sydney enjoys all forms of art from drawing and painting to creating things from clay, paper, or repurposed items. She also enjoys swimming and taking hikes with her family on nature trails, discovering the world around her.
Ean Hon, 2nd Place State Winner, Honorable Mention S. E. Regional Competition. Composition: “High Country Sword Dance.”
Teacher: Gayle Vann
Ean Hon, an 8-year-old 3rd-grade student at Berkeley Lake Elementary School, is a talented young boy with a range of interests and hobbies. He is currently taking piano lessons with Gayle Vann. He has played in the Federation Festival for 4 years, receiving a Superior rating in both the Solo event, and the Duet event. He was awarded his first 15-point Gold Cup last year for Solos, and has earned his 15-point Duet cup this year.
He began composing at the age of 6, and this year his piano composition, High Country Sword Dance, was awarded Second Place in State, and received Honorable Mention in the Southeastern Region.
Aside from his love of music, Ean is also passionate about basketball, archery, and swimming. He enjoys his archery lessons, where he is developing skills of precision and focus. Ean is also a proficient swimmer who loves spending time in the pool with friends and family. In addition to these activities, Ean is a keen coder who enjoys creating his own games. He spends hours learning new coding techniques and experimenting with different game designs. Ean also enjoys travel, and has already visited 4 continents: North America, South America, Europe and Asia!
