Sphinx Competition Solves Riddle Posed to Some Minority Musicians
With more than $100k of cash and scholarship prizes awarded each year, along with recital opportunities with top orchestras, Detroit's Sphinx Competition gives a leg up to black and Latino musicians, who make up less than 3% of American orchestras.

Founded in 1996 by violinist Aaron Dworkin, the non-profit Sphinx Organization takes its name from the enigmatic relic that presides over the Egyptian desert. In addition to representing the African continent, geographic origin of many American minorities, the Sphinx also symbolizes the power, prestige and civilization of the ancient Egyptians, the quiet wisdom, patience and awareness of their revered cats, and the enduring mystery & puzzlement of music.

In a Feb. 16 article in Knight-Ridder newspapers, Dworkin described the isolation he felt as a young African-American string player, and how he was motivated to found Sphinx in order to build a sense of peer group, provide role models and inspiration, and greater visibility for young minority musicians.

Although lingering racism has been cited as a cause of low representation in the nation's orchestras, other reasons include long-term declines in funding for school music programs and "cultural forces" that cause young players to choose pop over classical.

This year's competition winners included two violinists: Elena Urioste, a 16-year-old of Mexican and Basque heritage from North Wales, Pennsylvania, and Bryan Hernandez-Luch from West Valley City, Utah, age 25 and of Peruvian descent.

They will join their predecessors in receiving opportunities to perform with leading orchestras such as those in Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston and New York.


Link to more information on the Sphinx Organization and for a complete list of this year's semi-finalists. 

Link to a Feb. 19 audio story on National Public Radio.

Link to a Feb 9 article in the Detroit Free Press.