WINNERS of the 2023 Rotary Calgary Concerto Competition
View their performance by clicking on the MUSIC NOTES below their picture



JACOB CAI
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LAEC LORENTZEN

Laec Lorentzen is a high school senior currently studying with John Kadz and Johanne Perron, and is in the Advanced Performance Program for Cello at Mount Royal University Conservatory, under the mentorship of Beth Root Sandvoss. Laec is a past Gold winner at the Alberta Music Festival Association's Provincial Competition for both Solo Cello and Chamber Music and the recipient of many awards and scholarships.
He started playing the cello at age six, studying with Nancy Russell, and spent his formative years in the Amici String Program, where he developed an avid and lifelong passion for chamber music. This past summer, his string quartet was one of three Canadian youth quartets chosen to participate in the Szekely/Rolston Young Musicians Program at the Banff Centre during the 2022 Banff International String Quartet Competition.
Laec is passionate about sharing music within his community and using music to raise awareness for various community organizations and as such, has volunteered many hours for causes that he cares about. He has participated in programs such as Domaine Forget International Music Festival, Académie Orford Musique, and the International Cello Institute, and has had the opportunity to work with many amazing cellists such as Colin Carr, Melissa Kraut, Blaise Desjardins, Gary Hoffman and Philippe Muller. In his free time, Laec plays electric guitar, reads, writes, and hangs out with Kai, the best cat in the world. Laec plans to attend Yale University this fall, pursuing a double major in music and science.
Sofia Fakeley
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Runners Up of the 2023 Competition
1. Oscar Hanqi Zhang, Mozart Piano Concerto in Dmin
2. Tessa Nysetvold, Dovrak Cello Concerto
3. Josephine Wen, Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
4. Sacha Jorba Wu, Mozart Violin Concerto No. 5