In the Loop
General News : Apr 28, 2016

Music students compete for Penland Performance Prize

On April 12, 2016, the Gainesville Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, international music fraternity for women, sponsored its annual competition for members of the Delta Gamma chapter at the University of Florida. Dr. Chip Birkner and Dr. Chuck Pickeral served as judges for the event. From seven talented contestants, the judges selected flutist Karisa McKinney (MM '17)  as the 2016 Penland Performance Prize winner. McKinney received an award of $300. Soprano Sabrina Baêta (MM '18) received Honorable Mention for her performance. McKinney is a student of Dr. Kristen Stoner and Baêta is a student of Dr. Brenda Smith.

This year’s competition was renamed the Penland Performance Prize Competition in memory of Dr. Arnold Penland and in honor of his widow, Joan Penland. The Penland family has supported educational and professional musical projects in our community for many decades. Sigma Alpha Iota congratulates all those who participated in this successful competition.