Special to 1812Blockhouse

The annual Mansfield Symphony Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition recently took place at Mansfield 1st Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Performing in the competition were local musicians: Samuel Prinz, Viola; Joseph Litao, Violin; and Ella Schag, Violin. Josh Bowman, strings teacher from Avon Lake, and Mike Sieberg, a violinist of Ashland Symphony, served as adjudicators. Ella Schag was chosen as the winner.

The daughter of Joseph and Keely Schag, Ella is a senior at Willard High School where she is concertmaster of the orchestra, member of the Symphonic Choir and Chamber Choir. She is also the captain of the Academic Challenge team, and varsity singles player for the Lady Flashes tennis program. Ella studied violin privately with Elva Newdome from fifth to eighth grade and has studied with Stephen Domka since her freshman year. This is Ella’s fifth year playing violin with the Mansfield Symphony Youth Orchestra. During her sophomore and junior year, Ella was concertmaster of the District 4 Honors Orchestra and a member of the Northwest Regional Orchestra.

When she’s not practicing violin, Ella enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, and playing piano.  She will be continuing her academic and musical journey at Denison University as a member of the class of 2025.

Ella will be performing the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto Mvt. 1, along with last year’s MSYO Concerto winners (Daniel Domka, Cello and Gregory Tan, Piano) in May. Concert date and time are to be announced pending COVID restrictions. Visit the Renaissance Theatre’s website rentickets.org for the most up-to-date concert information.

The Renaissance Theatre is a performing arts theater located at 138 Park Avenue West, Mansfield, Ohio. For more information about the Ren, visit rentickets.org or contact renaissance@mansfieldtickets.com. Follow the Ren on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube.

Photo above: Stephen Domka, Ella Schag, Joseph Litao, Samual Prinz.

Photos: Renaissance Performing Arts Association


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