Justin Colwell, an Indiana Wesleyan University senior studying Piano Performance, won the District Round of the Indiana Music Teachers Association (IMTA) Hoosier audition on April 9 for his performance on the piano. Colwell competed in the collegiate category where he was required to memorize his entire performance and select a piece that represented three style periods. Colwell performed three pieces: Liszt’s “Waldesrauschen (Forest Murmurs)” from “Zwei Konzertetüden (Two Concert Études),” S.145, Ullmann’s Piano Sonata No. 6 op. 19, and Schubert’s Piano Sonata in A flat major D. 557.
As the winner of his district, Colwell will advance to compete at the final State Round on May 14 at Butler University in Indianapolis. The winner of the State Round will receive a cash award as well as the opportunity to perform at a recital at the IMTA State Conference in the fall.
“The Division of Music is so proud of Justin,” said Dr. Todd Guy, chairman of the Division of Music at IWU. “This recognition is a tribute to his outstanding work ethic, his mastery of the piano and his commitment to excellence in everything he does. He is a truly a gifted young man, and we are so proud of his consistent growth as a pianist and performer.”
Colwell has spent many hours over the last four years practicing under the careful instruction of Dr. Phoneix Park-Kim, professor of piano at IWU.
“I never had to tell him to practice more but only how to practice better,” said Park-Kim. “His progress in piano each year has been remarkable. I believe Justin has great potential not just to be a pianist, but also an excellent academic researcher and scholar in the field of music.”
After graduation from IWU, Colwell will attend graduate school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory. He was also accepted to the highly respected Birmingham Conservatory in England.
Click here for more information about the IWU Division of Music.