Harris Music Contest
March 4, 2023
Registration is not yet available. Stay tuned to our newsletter and Facebook page for when registration will be opening.
See photos of past performances:
Top Photos L-R: Andrew Keenan (ADH, 2017); Gabby Wang (ADH, 2017); MarySue Hormel Harris (2013); Contestants (2013 )
Middle Photos L-R: Blake Zimmerli (2019); Tedd Lund (2019) Contestants (2019); Lana Kenyon, MarySue Hormel Harris, Holly Johnson (2019)
Bottom Photos L-R: Contestants (2020); Emma Stanley (2020); Maria Vu (2020); Emma Grush (2020)
Middle Photos L-R: Blake Zimmerli (2019); Tedd Lund (2019) Contestants (2019); Lana Kenyon, MarySue Hormel Harris, Holly Johnson (2019)
Bottom Photos L-R: Contestants (2020); Emma Stanley (2020); Maria Vu (2020); Emma Grush (2020)
In 2012 the Harris Piano Competition was created as a way to further music appreciation and education for area youth. The Competition is named after MarySue Hormel Harris who, through a trust, provides funds for the Hormel Historic Home to be able to offer music programs to the community. Mrs. Harris is the granddaughter of Ben F. Hormel who was George's youngest brother.
Special guest for the events have included MarySue Hormel Harris, Dr. Andrew Hisey of the University of St. Thomas, and Mory Ortman, a professional musician from New York and Peggy Reich, concert pianist. These guests have shared their career paths and offered suggestions on how young musicians can pursue a life of music both professionally and recreationally.
Special guest for the events have included MarySue Hormel Harris, Dr. Andrew Hisey of the University of St. Thomas, and Mory Ortman, a professional musician from New York and Peggy Reich, concert pianist. These guests have shared their career paths and offered suggestions on how young musicians can pursue a life of music both professionally and recreationally.
Thank you to the Historic Paramount Theatre for allowing us to use their beautiful space for
making the day go smoothly.
making the day go smoothly.
2021 Contest Winners
Ages 6-8
Piano
Champion: George Yang
Runner Up: Xinzhu Xiang
Honorable Mention: Mandy Ma / Lucille Short
Melodic Instruments
Champion: Maxwell Harthan, Violin
Runner Up: Ian Krusemark, Violin
Honorable Mention: Julia Niethammer (Violin) / Anthony Schumer (Guitar)
Ages 9-11:
Piano
Champion: Emma Grush
Runner Up: Leon Ma
Honorable Mention: Claire Pepper / Juliette Zimmerli
Melodic Instruments
Champion: Greta Huston, Violin
Runner Up: Charlotte Collins, Violin
Honorable Mention: Jude Krusemark (Violin) / Christopher Schumer (Guitar)
Ages 12-14:
Piano
Champion: Alayna Kennedy
Runner Up: Eleanor Harthan
Honorable Mention: Piper Shell / Maria Vu
Melodic Instruments
Champion: Emma Stanley, Flute
Runner Up: Alayna Kennedy, Cello
Honorable Mention: Namo Afanou (Flute) / Renae Clark (Cello)
Ages 15-18:
Piano
Champion: Blake Zimmerli
Runner Up: David Vu
Honorable Mention: Rory Pollock / Katie Shin
Melodic Instruments
Champion: Blake Zimmerli, Marimba
Runner Up: John Lukes, Marimba
Honorable Mention: Mikayla Berg (Marimba) / David Vu (Cello)
Special thanks to the music teachers who encouraged their students to study, practice and participate:
William Arnold, Will Baily, Cheryl Berglund, Holly Dalager, Joyce Edland, Erin Grush, Lynee Larson, Sonia Larson, Rebecca Merblum, Nikki Phillips, Sue Radloff, Peggy Reich, Christina Schumer, Jodi Shell, Lorene Strobel
Ages 6-8
Piano
Champion: George Yang
Runner Up: Xinzhu Xiang
Honorable Mention: Mandy Ma / Lucille Short
Melodic Instruments
Champion: Maxwell Harthan, Violin
Runner Up: Ian Krusemark, Violin
Honorable Mention: Julia Niethammer (Violin) / Anthony Schumer (Guitar)
Ages 9-11:
Piano
Champion: Emma Grush
Runner Up: Leon Ma
Honorable Mention: Claire Pepper / Juliette Zimmerli
Melodic Instruments
Champion: Greta Huston, Violin
Runner Up: Charlotte Collins, Violin
Honorable Mention: Jude Krusemark (Violin) / Christopher Schumer (Guitar)
Ages 12-14:
Piano
Champion: Alayna Kennedy
Runner Up: Eleanor Harthan
Honorable Mention: Piper Shell / Maria Vu
Melodic Instruments
Champion: Emma Stanley, Flute
Runner Up: Alayna Kennedy, Cello
Honorable Mention: Namo Afanou (Flute) / Renae Clark (Cello)
Ages 15-18:
Piano
Champion: Blake Zimmerli
Runner Up: David Vu
Honorable Mention: Rory Pollock / Katie Shin
Melodic Instruments
Champion: Blake Zimmerli, Marimba
Runner Up: John Lukes, Marimba
Honorable Mention: Mikayla Berg (Marimba) / David Vu (Cello)
Special thanks to the music teachers who encouraged their students to study, practice and participate:
William Arnold, Will Baily, Cheryl Berglund, Holly Dalager, Joyce Edland, Erin Grush, Lynee Larson, Sonia Larson, Rebecca Merblum, Nikki Phillips, Sue Radloff, Peggy Reich, Christina Schumer, Jodi Shell, Lorene Strobel
Questions? Contact Lana Kenyon at 914-924-8886 or piano@hormelhistorichome.org.