Madison 6th grader wins Walgreens National Concerto Competition

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Cordelia Momo Frederickson, violinist, a 6th grader at Velma Hamilton Middle school in Madison will perform her winning solo at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday Feb. 23 at Pick Staiger Concert Hall in Evanston, IL. Tickets for this concert are available at https://mya.org/events/tickets

Momo is the Overall Junior Division Winner and First Place winner in the String Category in the MYAC Division of the Walgreens National Concerto Competition. The competition is held annually at the end of December and is generously sponsored by Walgreens company and hosted by Midwest Young Artists Conservatory. Momo is currently Concertmaster in MYAC's Concert Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Allan Dennis.

This is a very special achievement for Momo because this year, over 200 young musicians from across the U.S. competed in the event, in categories ranging from strings, piano, voice, winds, brass, and percussion. Prizes include an opportunity to perform a concert onstage at Bennett Gordon Hall, or a solo with the MYAC Symphony Orchestra, and the opportunity to perform on the prestigious From the Top radio program. Walgreens annual sponsorship enables MYAC to provide students with distinguished judges, a video recording of their performance, written performance evaluations, and an inviting and nurturing environment in which to participate.
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About Cordelia:
Cordelia Momo Fredrickson, age 11, is a 6th grader at Velma Hamilton Middle school in Madison WI. At the age of 3, she began her violin lessons with Maria-Rosa Germain through the Suzuki String of Madison. Momo quickly progressed through the Suzuki program, then she joined the Sonora Strings Violin Ensemble as its youngest member. Momo performed at many recitals as a member of the Sonora Strings Ensemble which were featured guest performers opening for Hilary Hahn in 2016. Along with other SSM members Momo had the opportunity to perform with Rachel Barton Pine at her master class. In 2017 while Momo spent a year in Japan with her parents, she studied violin with Yoko Kato and piano with Sae Saito. There, Momo was exclusively invited to perform at the master class with Kyoko Takezawa. Now Momo is a protege of violinist Janet Sung, and she is also thankful for her former violin teachers, most especially Eugene Purdue. She also studies piano with Satoko Hayami, and viola in Velma Hamilton String Orchestra.

Momo is in her second season with the Midwest Young Artist Conservatory (MYAC) in Chicago IL. She enjoys performing chamber music and served as concertmaster in Philharmonia Orchestra (in 2018) and is concertmaster in Concert Orchestra at MYAC. In the past summer, Momo was invited to attend the Heifetz International Music Institute of the Program for the Exceptionally Gifted at Mary Baldwin University, Staunton VA. While at Heifetz, she studied violin with Caeli Smith and Elizabeth Faidley, and she was featured to perform in the Heifetz Lab series and HeifetzPEG showcase concerts. Momo is the Walgreens National Concerto Competition MYAC Junior division Overall Winner (2019) and the MYAC Junior String Category Winner (2019). Prior to this, she received honorable mentions for the Madison Symphony Fall Youth Concerto Competition (2019), the Walgreens National Concerto Competition MYAC Junior division string category (2018), and Kariya International Violin Competition (2017). Along with the music, Momo also enjoys reading books, collecting teddy bears, and playing with her baby sister Charlotte.

About MYAC:
Midwest Young Artists Conservatory (MYAC) is the largest youth music ensemble program in the midwest and was founded in 1993 by Dr. Allan Dennis. MYAC serves over 900 young musicians of all ages and levels from 84 cities throughout Chicagoland and beyond with 8 orchestras, 60+ chamber music ensembles, 8 jazz bands and combos, 4 vocal ensembles, music theory and composition classes, early childhood music classes, and summer music camps. MYAC hosts the Walgreens National Concerto Competition and the Midwest National Chamber Music Competition, as well as 3 instrumental festivals and master classes that are open to the public throughout the year. MYAC students perform several major concerts each year in prestigious Chicago-area venues, and even tour abroad. As a national leader in youth music education, MYAC graduates are frequently accepted at the most selective conservatories and colleges worldwide. For more information about our 2020-2021 programs or to purchase tickets to our concerts visit mya.org or call 847-926-9898.