This fall, instrumental music majors were invited to compete in the inaugural Neil and Dolly Huhta Instrumental Music Competition, which will award thousands of dollars in cash prizes.

The competition is named for local businessman and Stetson benefactor Neil Huhta ’84 and his wife. 

According to Dunwoody Mirvil, DM, assistant professor of trombone and coordinator of the program, the contest represents the instrumental equivalent of the Giffin Competition for vocalists, which also offers cash prizes.

Strings, guitar, woodwinds, brass, percussion and keyboard majors were invited to compete for cash prizes of $4,000 for first place; $1,000 for second place; and, $500 for third place.

According to School of Music Dean Washington Garcia, DMA, the contest “will offer music students a platform to elevate their artistic talents in a competitive yet supportive environment.” 

Judges selected 24 finalists on Monday, Nov. 25. The finalists will compete live in Lee Chapel on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025.

The Finalists

• Antonio Araiza, piano
• Aiden Butler, piano
• Andrei Caquimbo, oboe
• Abigail Clouser, trumpet
• Madeleine Eddy, horn
• Nathan Esquenazi, clarinet
• Alejandro S. Fernandez, cello
• Zachary Frankowiak, flute
•Georgie Gonzalez, cello
• Donovan Hancock, flute
• Carrie Helms, trumpet
• Sydney Holder, oboe
• Elijah Hoven, trombone
• David Jaimes, flute
• Michael Ledyaev, guitar
•Rianne Lee, cello
• Aine Mullen, viola
• Seth Mullett, trumpet
• Madelyn Munley, piano & violin
• Ian Owens, horn
• Danae Tran, violin
•Donald Valencia, piano
• Rayah Yehnert, flute

Giving Back

The contest is rooted in opportunity as well as passion. Garcia said Neil Huhta, a member of the School of Music’s Board of advisors, and his wife “are deeply passionate about the School of Music and believe in the transformative power of music.”

“Their commitment to supporting this competition reflects their strong belief in the relevance of our school and its vital role in fostering musical excellence,” he added. “The competition will further strengthen the Stetson School of Music’s legacy as a leader in music education and performance.”

When Garcia approached Huhta about sponsoring the competition, Huhta was all in. 

“I wanted to contribute something back to Stetson because my Stetson education absolutely directly resulted in my quality of life being what it is,” he said.

Huhta graduated with a degree in accounting, though he began as a trombone major. He keenly remembers the realities of student life.

“When you’re a student with not much or any income with bills coming due, anything you get is sorely needed, and if it can reinforce your educational goals, that’s all the better,” Huhta said. “I think winning a competition like that has to be really inspirational to those people.”

Circle of Musical Life

Mirvil expects an enthusiastic response to the first-time competition. 

“We’re going to have a great number of students who audition,” Mirvil said. “First off, it’s money. Second, it’s a great way to get better at your craft. It’s also a great way not only to represent your school but to represent yourself too.”

In overseeing the competition, Mirvil will draw upon his own “great experience” competing against a wide range of instrumentalists as a master’s student in trombone at Florida State University. He was named runner-up.

More than a decade later, Mirvil finds himself in the role of a coordinator instead of a competitor. 

“You never know what life will give you,” he said. “It will all come back to you years later.”

Like in his own life, Mirvil hopes the instrumental competition will enhance the educational and musical experience of its participants. 

“I believe that the students will have fun with this,” he said.

For details on the Neil and Dolly Huhta Instrumental Music Competition, click here. For a complete list of Stetson School of Music competitions, click here.

– Cheri Henderson