March 17, 2025
Minneapolis, MN – The Butler School of Music swept the Chamber Music Competition, claiming first place in both the String and Winds divisions. The two chamber music groups from the Butler School of Music that earned top honors were ZED, a saxophone quartet, and Soha, a string quartet.
ZED, saxophone quartet (Left to Right) Jacob Feldman, David Bennette, Connor O’Toole, and Marina Sakellakis
ZED, featuring Marina Sakellakis, Jacob Feldman, Connor O’Toole, and David Bennette, captured first place in the Winds Division. Meanwhile, Soha, composed of Mei Liu (violin), Chloe Yofan (violin), Thomas Gougeon (viola), and Katusaki Arakawa (cello), clinched the top spot in the MTNA Chamber Music String Competition.
Soha quartet after the big win (Left to Right) Katusaki Arakawa (cello), Thomas Gougeon (viola), Chloe Yofan (violin), and Mei Liu (violin)
Each group was awarded $3,000 for their outstanding performances, further solidifying the Butler School of Music’s reputation for producing world-class chamber musicians.
The competition, held in Minneapolis, brought together some of the nation’s most talented young ensembles, and both ZED and Soha were praised for their artistry and skill.
Zed and Soha quartets after their big MTNA win