EMTA hosted a wonderful Virtual Jazz, Rags, and Blues (JRB) Festival and Workshop on February 5, 2022. Thanks so much to our Masterclass Visiting Artist: Dan Taylor and Zoom Workshop Visiting Artist: Ev Stern. In addition, thanks to our EMTA event organizers, Marie Wollam-Mergler and Brandi Bassett . We had some fantastic performances this year and would like to congratulate our JRB Festival Award Winners.

Age division 7-8

Brandon Yang, Teacher: Yelena Balabanova, Best of ages 7-8

Gold seals:

Melba Williams, Teacher: Susan Hurley

Lillian Mergler, Teacher: Marie Wollam-Mergler

Luoyuluo Zeng, Teacher: Mariya Koshkina

Age division 9-10

Yiling Sun, Teacher: Yelena Balabanova, Best of ages 9-10

Gold seals:

Annabelle Lai, Teacher: Valerie Gathright

Ponte Tardif, Teacher: Susan Hurley

Laurel Bjur, Teacher: Valerie Gathright

Age division 11-12

Jaden Shan, Teacher: Yelena Balabanova, Best of ages 11-12

Gold seals:

Seth Zeon, Teacher: Mariya Koshkina

Anvi Babu, Teacher: Mary Beth Rogers

Penelope Funakoshi, Teacher: Valerie Gathright

Logan Lai, Teacher: Valerie Gathright

Jayce Brown, Teacher: Marie Wollam-Mergler

Chloe Mergler, Teacher: Marie Wollam-Mergler

Izaura Emans, Teacher: Sarah Silvia

Age division 13-14

Tilman Seid, Teacher: Yelena Balabanova, Best of ages 13-14
Performing: Gladiolus Rag by Scott Joplin

Courtney Tam, Teacher: Yelena Balabanova, Best of ages 13-14
Performing: Troubled Water by Margaret Bonds

Gold seals:

Anastasia Kanakasabesan, Teacher: Sarah Silvia

Oscar Clingenpeel, Teacher: Frances Goei

William Shirts: Teacher: Frances Goei

Elaina Mergler, Teacher: Marie Wollam-Mergler

Age division 15+

Andrew Jiang, Teacher: Yelena Balabanova, Best of ages 15+
Performing: Serpent’s Kiss by William Bolcom

Lucas Tam, Teacher: Yelena Balabanova, Best of ages 15+
Performing: The Sleepwalker’s Shuffle by William Albright