About Satori Strings Contest

Join us in Arcadia, CA during the last weekend of June each year Satori Strings Contest open to young musicians up to the age of 19, the finest players in over 150 performing categories will take home the prestigious Satori trophy.  Contest areas include Prodigy, Open, Qualified and Jr. Qualified categories as well as small ensemble contests, Baroque and American music specialties.  Separate sections for Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass are further divided into specific age groups.  The top four finishers in each category and age group will take home a beautiful commemorative trophy.  Winners in the Collegiate and Prodigy categories may advance to the grand prize contest.  Entry fees start at $20 per category.  Contact Satori Strings for more information and your free entry package. Entry forms are also available at Amac Violin Center as well as through your private music teacher or local Satori retail location..

Adjudication Panel

The Satori Strings Contest adjudication panel is composed of independent and neutral professional judges and teachers. Each is a highly respected and distinguished leader in the field of strings education and performance.

Coordinated by Shirley Cornell and Israel Baker , the judging panel includes a variety of high profile Southern California master artists and teachers.

Ms. Shirley Cornell is a well known and respected performer in Los Angeles studios and concert halls. Her performances on the Tonight Show, appearances with luminaries such as Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra, film composer Lalo Schifrin, work with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Universal Amphitheater, and Ahmanson Theater compliment many years as a master teacher and professional adjudicator of music competitions.

Mr. Israel Baker is a Los Angeles legend. A colleague of the great Jascha Heifetz, Mr. Baker has carved his own place high in the pantheon of stage and studio violin masters. Mr. Baker has worked with the likes of Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Celine Dion, Quincy Jones, and Ella Fitzgerald to name only a few.

Adjudicators in the Satori Strings Contest are degreed professionals affiliated with prestigious institutions such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the University of Southern California and others. Each adjudicator brings a wealth of experience teaching and working with young students.

The underlying goal of the adjudication panel is not only to rank performers and determine a winner, but more importantly to provide a pleasant and non-intimidating educational experience, fostering the growth and advancement of young musicians. By freely sharing their expertise, adjudicators offer participants ways to better themselves as performers and as people.

We are truly fortunate to have such deeply treasured artists and teachers to evaluate each Satori Strings Contest performance. Each contestant can be assured of the highest quality evaluation which is both constructive and rewarding.

This is a unique opportunity for young players to be seen, heard and evaluated by some of the finest names in the industry. We at Satori Strings are very proud and grateful to our judges for lending their expertise to these emerging young artists.