Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • Fall 2023 3 Music Notes The The 2023 Margaret Blackburn Biennial Composition Competition, held by the Pittsburgh PA Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, announces that this year's winner is Juwon Lim. Juwon's winning composition is titled Trio, scored for three percussion instruments. The award is $1000. Juwon Lim is a composer who often draws inspiration from minimalism, jazz, and modernism in her work. Her music has been performed at several festivals in the US, such as the Atlantic Music Festival (2021) and the Nief-Norf Summer Festival (2022). Additionally, she participated in the New York Youth Symphony composition program during the 2019-2020 season and was selected to have an orchestral work premiered with the Purchase Symphony Orchestra in May 2022. Her recent projects include a duet for soloists Laura Cocks and Dana Jessen and a new work for Hypercube, which was developed during her time as a composition fellow at CubeLab in November 2022. Her upcoming projects include new pieces for New Music On the Point and the Sō Percussion Summer Institute. Currently pursuing a master's degree in Composition at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, under the guidance of Sky Macklay, Juwon previously earned her bachelor's degree in composition at SUNY Purchase, where she studied with Laura Kaminsky, Nicolas Schwerziger, and Gregory Spears. The judge for the competition was Dr. Eric Moe, a prolific composer, keyboardist, and recording artist. He is currently the Andrew W. Mellon Professor of Composition and Theory at the University of Pittsburgh and has held visiting professorships at Princeton University and the University of Pennsylvania. About the Blackburn Competition, Dr. Moe said, "I was impressed with the stylistic variety and the artistic ambition of the entries. The competition included some young composers of phenomenal ability. Any composer's life is filled with disappointment and rejection; it's wonderful that SAI is able to offer this award, which gives both external validation and a real boost to an emerging artist's career." The Blackburn Biennial Composition Competition is a project of the Pittsburgh PA Alumnae Chapter. The competition is in honor and memory of Margaret Blackburn, composer of the SAI Chorale. She was a founding member of the Pittsburgh Alumnae Chapter and passed away in 1996. The competition is open to female composers enrolled in an accredited university or college undergraduate or graduate degree program. — Submitted by Rebecca Catelinet, Editor, Pittsburgh Alumnae Chapter Margaret Blackburn Biennial Composition Competition Winner S igma Alpha Iota welcomes SAI Ayanna-Moné Arnold as the newest Board Member of the SAI Philanthropies, Inc. Board. Ayanna-Moné Arnold was initiated into the eta Xi Chapter at Bethune-Cookman University in the fall of 2016, where she served as President, Vice President Membership, Editor, Corresponding Secretary, and Music Director. Currently, they are affiliated and active with the Charlotte Alumnae Chapter as Vice President Membership. Professionally, Ayanna-Moné is a board-certified music therapist who believes it is her life's purpose to help individuals reach their goals through music. Ayanna-Moné was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where her parents and two younger siblings still reside. She obtained her Bachelor's degree in music from Bethune- Cookman University and her Master's degree in music therapy from Florida State University. Once she finished her graduate degree, Ayanna-Moné found themself in North Carolina. She currently pursues her purpose as a music therapist with Voices Together. roughout their music therapy career, they have affirmed their love for working with clients with varying disabilities, older adults, and preschool-aged children. Ayanna-Moné also instructs music lessons for voice, piano, and guitar at Gaston School of the Arts. Under their music alias, Nani Moné, some original music can be found on all streaming platforms. In her spare time, she enjoys performing, makeup, and cuddling with their kitten, Chai Latte. With a heart full of love for Sigma Alpha Iota, a determination to uphold the highest standards of music, and the desire to continue learning, Ayanna-Moné is elated to take on this new venture to serve our cherished fraternity. New SAI Philanthropies, Inc. Board Member Juwon Lim Juwon Lim

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