1) L’isle Joyeuse Claude Debussy
Sarah Blust is a senior at Middleton High School who has studied with Bill Lutes, Martha Fischer, Eric Tran, and Karen Hunter. In addition to classical performance, she enjoys jazz improvisation, ensemble and collaborative projects, and composition. Sarah has received several awards in concerto competitions throughout high school, including winning the MHS Concerto Competition in 2023 and 2026 as well as the Middleton Community Orchestra Young Artist Concerto Competition in 2025, and receiving Honorable Mention at the semifinal level in the 2025 Bolz Young Artist Competition and the Highly Commended award in the 2023 and 2026 Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Young Artist Concerto Competition. After graduating high school, Sarah plans to attend the University of Miami, to pursue a double major in Neuroscience and Music. Away from the piano, Sarah enjoys running track and cross country, swimming, traveling, and spending time with friends.
2) Etude Op. 40 No. 3 “Toccatina” Nicolai Kapustin
Mei Dryer is a 16-year-old junior at Madison West High School. She has studied piano for 10 years and cello for 8, currently learning piano with Eric Tran and cello with Emily Allen. Mei has earned multiple recognitions, including Honorable Mentions in the 2024 and 2025 Bolz Young Artists Concerto Competition. In 2025, she won her school’s concerto competition and performed with the Madison West Orchestra, and was named the state winner of the WMTA competition. Mei enjoys competing with her school's rocketry club, playing cello in WYSO, and spending time with her family and friends.
