The Breshears children (18-year-old violinist Dustin, 15-year-old violinist Valery, 17-year-old cellist Starla, and 12-year-old violist Colin) have added another set of prizes to what must be a very heavy trophy case at this point.

From left: JIC Chair Michael Casassa, Starla and Valery Breshears, and FMMC Foundation Director Grace McFarlane.

As the only two members of the family who were able to compete in the Johansen Competition for Young String Players (ages 13-17) in March, Valery, who studies with Zhao Wei, took 1st prize, while Starla (who studies with Richard Aaron) won 3rd.

“Starla is such a wonderful musician and artist,” Aaron said of her win. “We will be hearing about her for many years to come!”

"Over the past six years, I have witnessed Valery's tremendous progress," Wei said of his student. "Her recent performance at the Johansen International Competition, where she earned a top prize, is a testament to her growth and artistry. Her tonal brilliance is nothing short of exhilarating, and her meticulous attention to detail contributes to her extraordinary musical expression."

As a quartet, the Breshears children have medaled in a wide variety of competitions, including first-place finishes in the 2023 Piero Farulli International Competition for Young String Quartets and the Saint Paul String Quartet Competition. They also have the distinction of appearing in both the American and British editions of the popular TV show Little Big Shots.

Wei added background for the Johansen Competition, explaining,  "The Johansen International Competition (JIC) began in 1997 and is held every three years. The competition is judged by top professional string musicians and is recognized as a prestigious international competition for talented young string players. Some participants now hold positions in major symphonies in the U.S. and Europe, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Bonn Beethoven Orchestra." The JIC is funded in part by the Friday Morning Music Club (FMMC).

Colin, Valery, and Starla Breshears.

Last year, after their Silver Medal in the junior strings division at the Fischoff Competition, the Breshears children said that they pass the time at competitions by playing chess with each other (Valery is the one to look out for, apparently.) But as their star grows, it’s likely the Breshears won’t have to worry about much downtime between performances.

SFCM’s Pre-College division provides an immersive set of programs that instill the value of music in youth 18 and under. It provides an artistic framework and tailored instruction for the next generation of musicians.

Pre-College programs integrate private lessons with musicianship courses, small and large ensemble experiences, master classes, jury assessments, and performance opportunities, with the goal of making music a core part of children’s lives.