CM graduate student, violist Victor Diaz was announced this week as being one of 20 exceptional Black and Latinx string players across two divisions that will complete for nearly $100,000 in prizes in January 2024.

The Sphinx Competition, held every year in Detroit (MI), is a US competition offering young Black and Latinx classical string players a chance to compete under the guidance of an internationally renowned panel of judges and to perform with and receive mentorship from established professional musicians. For the past quarter-century, the Sphinx Organization has worked tirelessly to bring much-needed diversity to the US classical music scene.  

The competition comprises a junior division (ages 17 and under) and senior division (18 to 30). The junior division honors concert will be held on Friday 26 January 2024, where finalists will compete for the top $10,000 prize and perform with the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra.

The following day on Saturday 27 January will see the senior division finals concert held at Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center in Detroit. Senior division finalists compete for the $50,000 Robert Frederick Smith Prize and solo appearances with major orchestras.

Victor will compete in the senior division as one of 11 performers. To follow the competition, please visit https://www.sphinxmusic.org/sphinx-competition.