Young Artist Program

21st SEASON WINNERS

Young Artist Fellows

INTRODUCING PERA SONORA

Clara Chun,
VIOLIN

Hello! My name is Clara Chun, and I’m a 15-year-old violinist with nine years of experience. Music has had a profound impact on my life, shaping me into the person I am today. When I’m not practicing, you’ll likely find me with a cup of matcha latte in hand, watching my favorite rom coms. I’m truly grateful for this opportunity and so excited to perform alongside such talented young musicians!

Sponsor: Anonymous

Michelle Liu,
VIOLIN

Michelle Liu is based in San Antonio, Texas, and is a sophomore at Ronald Reagan High School. She has been playing violin for 8 years now and studies with Matthew Zerweck. Michelle is a first violin in the Youth Orchestras of San Antonio, and has also been a 2023-2025 TMEA All-Stater. Aside from violin, Michelle loves to listen to anything ranging from classical music, to music from the 50s, to Clairo with a crispy glass of Coca-Cola on the side.

Sponsor: Anonymous in honor of the Tatum Family

Mary Pechman,
FLUTE

Hello! I’m Mary Pechman, and I’ve been a flautist for 6 years now. I’ve bounced around all over the US before landing in San Antonio, at Reagan High School. I’m the piccolo player of our wind ensemble, a flute player in our symphony, and I play piccolo in our nationally acclaimed marching band. I hold both instruments close to my heart, but flute will always be my favorite. Aside from band and orchestra, I love playing with my dog, Charlie, and baking treats for my friends and family. After high school, I plan to further my education in biology and music.

Sponsor: Robert Shivers & Nancy Taylor Shivers

Sofia Ramirez,
CELLO

Sofia is a cellist from Champion High School in Boerne. She studies under Ken Freudigman, doing her best to avoid having to mow his lawn (it hasn’t happened yet, but there’s still a chance). Sofia will be attending The University of Tennessee-Knoxville in the fall to study cello under Wesley Baldwin and pursue a music performance degree.

Sponsor:  Dr. Jan Gaverick

Margaret Stephenson,
VIOLA

Hi! I’m Margaret Stephenson, a Freshman violist from Alamo Heights High School! I immediately fell in love with the viola for its beautiful sound, and have been playing it for over 5 years. In my free time, I love to hang out with my friends and listen to music! At the moment, Tchaikovsky is my favorite composer.

Sponsor:  Dr. Jan Gaverick

Elana Xu,

CELLO

Hi, my name is Elana Xu and I’m a rising junior at Reagan High School! I play cello and piano, and my favorite composers are Rachmaninoff and Ravel. Besides music, my other interests include learning about Roman History and watching Formula 1. 
Sponsor: Anonymous in honor of the Tatum Family

Education Director Craig Sorgi, Assistant Director Karen Stiles, and Artistic Director Jeffrey Sykes were pleased to announce the 6 winners of this season’s YAP auditions.

CPMF’s 3-week intensive, tuition-free, full-scholarship program wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of sponsors. If you’re passionate about education and the arts, we invite you to explore the sponsorship opportunities below and help us continue this meaningful work.

CPMF's 21st Season of Cultivating Young Artists

 As our mission statement declares, Cactus Pear is committed to significantly contributing to the musical education of South Texas young people, not only during the summer festival but throughout the year. Exposing young people to this inspiring musical art form and the intimacy of listening to chamber music—or in making it themselves—has been a primary objective of the CPMF board and its founder since the beginning. We truly believe in passing the torch.
CPMF has impacted the lives of over 125 young adults since 2004.

Watch Past YAP Performances

Listen to former 2005 YAP Fellow Colin Sorgi's 2008 composition "Huapango" performed by the 2008 YAP ensemble.
Excellence has been a characteristic of this program since its beginning.

YAP EDUCATION DIRECTOR CRAIG SORGI

— Sponsor:  TBD

YAP EDUCATION ASSISTANT KAREN STILES
— Sponsor: TBD
YAP APPLICATION FEE UNDERWRITER
— Sponsor: TBD
YAP TEACHER UNDERWRITER
— Sponsor: TBD


YAP ESSENTIALS UNDERWRITER (travel, gas, meals, music)
— Sponsor:  FIVE $200 sponsorships available for your generous support


The program is based at CPMF’s San Antonio concert venue, University of the Incarnate Word. The Young Artists form an ensemble—and ensembles—to study and perform chamber music. The curriculum includes private instruction and chamber music coachings with Education Director Craig Sorgi, Assistant Director Karen Stiles, and Festival Artists, lecture classes on aspects of music performance/careers, as well as several community engagement concerts. The YAP-winners, who call their group PERA SONORA, will be presented in their own final concert on Friday, July 18, showcasing the exceptional work they put in over their 3 week tuition-free residency under the guidance of seasoned, world-class teaching.


See the YAP concert schedule at the bottom of this webpage.

We thank The Village for their

YAP venue support.

CPMF Interns

We’re incredibly grateful for our two dedicated interns, whose hard work and enthusiasm under the guidance of Executive Director Renée Davis make a meaningful impact behind the scenes.

SOPHIE ANDERSON

Executive Assistant | Festival Stage Manager Intern

Sophie is currently enrolled in UTSA pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. Sophie's experience at UTSA and unique understanding of music will be beneficial to assist CPMF from behind the scenes, facilitate stage management requirements, and assist the executive director with the administrative flow of the festival.
Sophie plans to pursue graduate studies in music upon completion of her music education degree.

J. REFUGIO VALENZUELA JR. (CUCO)

2025 Bexar County Intern

Cuco is a senior at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music Industry Studies. His passion for music and his commitment to learning about industry make him a wonderful fit for the Bexar County internship.


He will be supporting festival operations this summer, gaining valuable hands-on experience while contributing to the success of our concerts and educational programs. Please join us in welcoming Cuco to the CPMF family—we’re thrilled to have him on board!

Program Information

Auditions are completed, the winners announced, but here is this season's information for anyone who might want to consider applying in 2026 when we'll be asking for applications once again.


The program runs concurrently with the festival
Typically, between four and nine young instrumentalists are chosen and awarded full-tuition scholarships for an intensive 3 week program. The Young Artists form an ensemble—and ensembles—to study and perform chamber music. The curriculum includes private instruction and chamber music coachings with Festival Artists, lecture classes on aspects of music performance/careers, free admittance to festival rehearsals & concerts for Fellows and family, and usually 8 outreach performance opportunities including the final two San Antonio Festival concerts.
 
Eligibility for 2025 was as follows [instrumentation varies each year]
Serious Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Violin, Viola, Cello students ages 14 through 18, Piano students between the ages of 14 and 20, and Voice Students between the ages of 16-20, who live in and around San Antonio, Texas, may apply. Eligibility for wind and other instruments will be announced at a later date so check back after the New Year. (Room and board not included.) Individuals as well as pre-formed groups will be considered for acceptance. Pianists MUST prepare the two short chamber music pieces available online (see Audition Checklist below.)

APPLICATIONS
The sample application is available via the link below. Application deadline is typically early April with auditions scheduled shortly thereafter.


We typically ask the following:

Applicants should perform two contrasting solo works (accompanist not necessary). Pianists, in addition, will be asked to perform two short chamber music excerpts that are available at bottom of webpage. All applicants will be notified of the results within 48 hours of the auditions’ conclusion.

For additional information contact YAP Education Director Mr. Craig Sorgi: cpmfeddirector@gmail.com.

Some Great Press

In 2017, Texas Public Radio wrote a very nice article on the YAP program and that seaon's 2017 Fellows. Click the link below for the article and a link to the Black Tie Cacti ensemble's rehearsal of the piece commissioned just for them, The Eternal Return by Icli Zitella, which they performed at the San Antonio concert on Saturday, July 15, 2017.
TPR Article & Video

YAP Season 2025 Live Performances

Young Artist Schedule
Thu July 10 • 10 am Barshop JCC San Antonio Jewish Community Center Open to the public
Fri July 11 • 3pm Blue Skies East San Antonio Blue Skies of Texas East Blue Skies residents
Wed July 16 • 3pm The Meadows San Antonio Meadows Retirement Community Meadows residents
Fri July 18 • 7pm CPMF Concert San Antonio UIW | Diane Bennack Hall Open to the public