Neil and Dolly Huhta Instrumental Music Competition: ‘At Their Best’

Michael Candelaria March 5, 2026
From left to right: Professor Ted Shistle, director of Bands, Douglas School of the Arts (judge); Neil Huhta ’84; Aiden Butler, piano (third place); Andrei Caquimbo, oboe (first place); Washington Garcia, DMA, dean, Stetson School of Music; Iván Kostornyi, violin (second place); Lindsay Garritson, DMA, Visiting Professor of Piano, University of Central Florida; Sheldon McLean, DMA, assistant director of Bands, University of Miami; Dunwoody Mirvil, DM, assistant professor of Trombone at Stetson.

Competitions provide unique opportunities to receive objective critiques from professionals that help musicians identify areas for improvement. In addition, performing helps musicians manage nerves, improve their stage presence and gain confidence in their abilities.

In that sense, the 23 finalists who competed in the Neil and Dolly Huhta Instrumental Music Competition are all winners. The live finale took place in Lee Chapel of Stetson’s DeLand campus throughout the day on Sunday, Feb. 8.

Organized by Dunwoody Mirvil, DM, assistant professor of Trombone, the Huhta Competition is open to string, guitar, woodwind, brass, percussion and keyboard majors. This is one of many opportunities at Stetson’s School of Music to help students excel in a supportive yet competitive environment. The Huhta Competition provides substantial cash prizes to the winning students: $4,000 for first place, $1,000 for second place and $500 for third place.

“We had 45 students submit videos to three preliminary judges who do not live in the state of Florida,” Mirvil said. “They were evaluated on both their lyrical and technical expertise. The competition gives these students an arena to sharpen their skills in performance, which will help them in future auditions for an orchestra, military band, or graduate-level competitions.”

The competition was made possible by Stetson alumnus Neil Huhta ’84 and his wife, Dolly. Huhta, now the chief financial officer of Boniface Heirs Automotive Group in Melbourne, Florida, began his Stetson journey as a trombone player in the School of Music before earning an accounting degree from Stetson’s School of Business Administration. Although he doesn’t play professionally, Huhta and his wife appreciate the dedication required of music students and are committed to supporting the next generation of musicians.

“The most gratifying aspect of the competition is to see these students at their best on the day of the final round,” Mirvil added. “Some of the judges were so impressed they asked me if I was sure the students were undergraduates. The level of artistry and musicianship was mind-blowing.”

Huhta Instrumental Music Competition Winners

  • First Place: Andrei Caquimbo, oboe
  • Second Place: Iván Kostornyi, violin
  • Third Place: Aiden Butler, piano

Finalists (in alphabetical order):

  • Noah Andreason, trumpet
  • Valeria Aviles, violin
  • Aiden Butler, piano
  • Victoria Camposano, flute
  • Andrei Caquimbo, oboe
  • Andrés Donoso, cello
  • Cole Duncan, oboe
  • Reagan Eddy, trombone
  • Cristian V. Gonzalez, piano
  • David Gonzalez, piano
  • David Jaimes, flute
  • Grey Justice, bass trombone
  • Iván Kostornyi, violin and organ
  • Michael Ledyaev, guitar
  • Rianne Lee, cello
  • Tyler Metzler, clarinet
  • Aine Mullen, viola
  • Kasen Sherrard, flute
  • Danae Tran, violin
  • Donald Valencia, piano
  • Sage Whitt, alto saxophone

-Renee Garrison