Third year DMA flutist Alyssa Schwartz, a student of WVU Professor Nina Assimakopoulos, won first prize in the Senior Solo Division of the 2017 International Grand Prize Virtuoso Competition. Winning this competition has afforded her an invitation to give her debut performance at the Wiener Saal Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria at the Winner's Recital today (July 11).
A dedicated flutist, Schwartz has won a variety of competitions including second prize in the 2016 International Grand Prize Virtuoso Competition, second prize in the 2016 Golden Classical Music Awards Senior Division, third Prize in the 2016 Golden Classical Music Awards Chamber Music Division, first prize in the 2016 Oklahoma Flute Society Collegiate Competition, third Prize in the 2016 Kentucky Flute Society Due Competition and second prize in the 2013 International Flute Symposium Emerging Artist Competition. As a founding member of the BETA Quartet, Schwartz participated as a semi-finalist in the 2017 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, won first prize in the 2017 Kentucky Flute Society Quartet Competition, and won first prize in the 2016 WV MTNA Chamber Winds Competition. A serious academician and scholar, Schwartz has also earned numerous scholarships throughout her career, including the Helga Hulse Mozart Club Music Scholarship in 2012, 2012, and 2016, the West Virginia University Student Memorial Scholarship.
Memorial Scholarship in 2012, the A. A. Amidon Scholarship in 2012 and 2013, the Walter & Grace Hazzard Scholarship in 2012 and 2013, the Louis T. Larson Scholarship in 2012 and 2013, the Juliet Anderson Rosch Scholarship in 2012 and 2013, the West Virginia University Music Scholarship in 2012, the Michigan State University Music Scholarship from 2006-2010, the National Honors College Scholarship Award from 2006-2010, and the CCMTA Overall Best Musician Award in 2006.
Schwartz is also a founding member of the BETA Quartet, a quartet of WVU graduate students that has won several competitions, participated in flute conventions across the East Coast, and is currently working to release their debut album.