Thank You to Our Distinguished Judges
Matthew Herren Matthew Herren was appointed Executive Director of SoNA in 2014 , after serving as SoNA ’ s Orchestra Personnel Manager and Associate Principal Cello . He has over twenty years of experience in the classical music industry as a performer and arts administrator . He previously served as Operations Manager of the Helicon Foundation , of New York , NY , which presents an annual subscription series of chamber music concerts . As a member of The New York Chamber Soloists and Trio Fedele , Matthew toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe , with performances at major venues including Alice Tully Hall , Merkin Concert Hall , The National Gallery in Washington , and Philadelphia ' s Academy of Music . With Orchestra of St . Luke ’ s at Carnegie Hall , Matthew has played and recorded , often as principal cello , under many of today ' s most distinguished conductors , including James Conlon , James Levine , Roger Norrington , André Previn , Simon Rattle , Gerard Schwarz , and Michael Stern . In the world of popular music , Matthew has performed with Metallica , Peter Gabriel , Sting , Billy Joel , James Taylor , and Vanessa Williams , among others . He has held teaching positions at Pittsburg State University and Cottey College , and was an officer of The Lawrence , Kansas Cultural Arts Commission . Matthew received Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from The Juilliard School .
Catalina Ortega A native of Colombia , Catalina Ortega is a Flute instructor at the University of Arkansas , the Suzuki Music School of Arkansas and the University of Arkansas Community Music School . She plays with the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra and Fayetteville Opera . In addition to teaching , Ms . Ortega has performed in some of the major auditoriums in Colombia as a soloist and touring with chamber music ensembles . She has served Flute / Piccolo player for the North Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and Flute player of the Medellin Philharmonic Orchestra ( Colombia ) for several years . She has appeared as a soloist with the University of Arkansas Campus Band . She holds a Master Degree in Music Performance and a Certificate in Advanced Instrumental Performance in Flute from the University of Arkansas , as well as a B . A in Flute Music Performance from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Colombia