2012-13 Youth Soloist Scholarship Competition Recipients

Amy Zuidema, Clarinet
Mona Shores High School Junior 

Amy Zuidema is a junior at Mona Shores High School. She is the daughter of James and Suzan Zuidema. Amy started playing clarinet in sixth grade and has been playing ever since. Miss Zuidema plays first chair in the top wind ensemble, orchestra and jazz ensemble. She has participated in numerous honors bands, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Western Michigan University's Seminar, and University of Michigan's clarinet institute. Currently, Amy studies with Professor Arthur Campbell at Grand Valley State University. After high school, Amy plans to attend college as a music performance major with a degree in education. 

Al Slajus, TUBA
Spring Lake High School Senior 

Al Slajus, a Spring Lake High School senior, began playing tuba in 6th grade. Ever since then he has studied tuba privately with Matt Palmieri. Al's talent and hard work are evidenced by sitting first chair in symphonic band and section leader in marching band throughout high school. Al has also been a fixture in the SLHS Musicals pit orchestra performing on tuba, valve trombone and bass guitar. Away from high school, he has been a member of six consecutive MSBOA All-State ensembles, while performing with the 2009 Blue Lake International Southern Winds touring Germany, Austria and France. After graduating high school, Al plans to attend college and study economics while continuing to play tuba in his college marching band. Al would like to thank the West Michigan Concert WINDS for supporting his educational pursuits and for providing the opportunity to perform as featured soloist.