EASLEY — The 33rd annual South Carolina Northwestern District III of the National Federation of Music Clubs held its Junior Festival on March 4 at Rock Springs Baptist Church in Easley.
Nine local piano teachers entered students to be judged by music professionals. The Junior Festival program is designed to promote study and stimulate interest in American and world music literature, and to encourage participation to reach a high standard of musical achievement.
Students perform and receive evaluation in a non-competitive setting.
The following students will represent the Easley area in the S.C. State Recital at the Junior Convention set for May at the Newberry Opera House in conjunction with the S.C. Federation of Music Clubs’ Convention:
• Grace Chen, daughter of Liang Chen and Heather Hanna, and Mr. and Mrs. Bob (Diane) Owen, is a student of Gilda Hendricks and an 11th grade student at Pickens High School.
• Luke Bleuel, a student of Dr. Linda Li-Bleuel, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John (Dr. Linda) Bleuel and a sixth grade student at Seneca Middle School.
• Riya Zutshi, student of Isabel Bowen, is fifth-grade student at Clemson Elementary and daughter of Rumana Begum and Sanjay Zutshi.
Alternate representatives
• Sophia Ogawa, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Terry (Maria) Ogawa, is an eighth-grade student at Gettys Middle School and a student of Nancy Owens.
• Lydia Branham, student of Judy Granger, is a sixth-grade student at Gettys Middle School and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gregg (Melanie) Branahm.
• Alisa Akutagawa, student of Kellye Smith, is the daughter of Hiroyuki and Mami Akutagawa and a seventh-grade student at RC Edwards Middle School.
• Brian Moulder, student of Emma Talley, is in the 12th grade at Easley High School and the son of Ms. Tyler Moulder.
• Isha Pattanaik, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arun (Sucheta) Pattanaik, is a student of Kellye Smith, and an eighth-grade student at RC Edwards Middle School.
• Suvan Pattanaik, student of Kellye Smith, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Arun (Sucheta) Pattanaik and a seventh-grade student at RC Edwards Middle School.