FCP Alumni Spotlights - 2019

James Algermissen and Ella Kollett

Special kudos to James Algermissen, age 13, who won EIGHT First prizes, and Ella Kollett, age 15, who won SIX First prizes in the 2019 festival:

James Algermissen (teacher: Kellie Johannik):
 • BEST PERFORMANCE OF A WORK WRITTEN, ARRANGED OR EDITED BY JOHN SALMON
 • BEST PERFORMANCE OF A WORK WRITTEN, ARRANGED OR EDITED BY KEVIN OLSON
 • PIANO ENSEMBLE AWARD FOR BEST PERFORMANCE OF A WORK FOR 4 OR MORE HANDS
 • CREATIVE STYLISTIC VARIETY AWARD
 • MOST VERSATILE PIANIST
 • BEST DEMONSTRATION OF GENUINELY SPONTANEOUS IMPROVISATION IN ANY STYLE (SOLO PIANO)
 • BEST DEMONSTRATION OF GENUINELY SPONTANEOUS IMPROVISATION IN ANY STYLE (PIANO ENSEMBLE)
 • BEST DEMONSTRATION OF SPONTANEITY AND/OR IMPROVISATION IN A JAZZ, POP, GOSPEL OR RAG STYLE WORK

PROGRAM BY JAMES ALGERMISSEN (teacher: Kellie Johannik)   Total: 14:47
Spontaneous/Interactive Improv with Judges:
  James will invite one of the judges to join him in a two-piano joint improv in C, D or G Minor. 3:00
Invention No. 4 D Minor, BWV 775 by J. S. Bach (1685-1750) James will play the invention alone (with original embellishments) and then with Carl Algermissen (father) on John Salmon's 2nd piano part, This Time in Minor 2:15
A Little Latin from Jazz Suite by Kevin Olson (b. 1971) 4:47 (Video below)
  James and his father: improvised arrangement as a duo for two pianos
Sonata in E Minor, HOB: XVI:34 by Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) original embellishments on repeats 4:45
  iii. Molto vivace

JJames performing "A Little Latin" by Kevin Olson: 

Ella Kollett (teacher: Karali Hunter):
 • BEST PERFORMANCE OF A PRE-BAROQUE OR BAROQUE PERIOD WORK
 • BEST PERFORMANCE OF A CLASSICAL PERIOD WORK
 • BEST PERFORMANCE OF A COMPOSITION IN ANY STYLE BY MARJORIE BURGESS
 • ARTIST PIANIST AWARD
 • CREATIVE STYLISTIC VARIETY AWARD
 • BEST PERFORMANCE OF A CONCERTO MOVEMENT FEATURING THE PERFORMER'S OWN ORIGINAL CADENZA(S) AND/OR LEAD-IN(S)

PROGRAM BY ELLA KOLLETT (teacher: Karali Hunter)   Total: 14:57
French Suite No. 5 in G Major, BWV 816 by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) 1:55 
  vii. Gigue (no repeats, embellishments wholly by contestant)
Impromptu in E-flat Major, D. 899, Op. 90 No. 2 (from Four Impromptus) by Franz Schubert (1797-1828) 5:02
Concerto in D Major, Hob. XVIII/11 by Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) 7:30 
  i. Vivace (no repeats, no embellishments, original cadenza wholly by contestant; 2nd piano by Dr. Karali Hunter
Mosquito (etude-styled piece) by MARJORIE BURGESS (1915-2005) with repeats, 2nd piano by Dr. Karali Hunter 0:30

Ella (front, 2nd from left) with her teacher (to her right, behind) and the judges & directors: