LIHU‘E — Kailee Mu, the activities coordinator for the Regency at Puakea, announced on Sunday that Alina Evanoff is a qualifier for the national level Opus Music Competition that will deadline in March.
Alina, along with her siblings Jannik, Nicklaus, and Hendrik, were invited to provide music for the residents of The Regency at Puakea during its New Year’s Eve get-together “to watch the ball drop, live,” and enjoy some fireworks on the outside of the facility located across the street from the Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School.
George Evanoff, the proud father of the accomplished children, said Alina and Jannik took advantage of the invitation to hone their respective skills on the violin and piano for not only the national Opus Music Competition, but also for the Mokihana Club’s “Tea for a 100” annual fundraiser.
The fundraiser will take place in February at the Outrigger Kaua‘i Beach Resort.
“They have been doing this (providing music) for a long time,” Mu said. “I remember when Jannik was just 6 years old when he first came to play for us. Now, he’s 16.”
Alina, 14 years old, qualified the national Opus Music Competition by earning the Merit category during the state level competition in the 14-18 age group in November.
“This was my first competition,” Alina said. “There were three levels — first, second, and third places — plus Merit. I earned the Merit award. There are two of us, the other Hawai‘i entry is the boy from O‘ahu, who earned first place during the state level competition.”
Alina said the national level competition is done through video, similar to how the state level competition was performed. The deadline for submitting the competition video is in March.
Performing for the kupuna at the Regency at Puakea served as practice for the national competition, as Alina is to perform two of the pieces she’ll be using for her competition.
The OPUS Music Competition, formerly known as the Susan D. Barton Music Competition, started as a scholarship competition in Southern Nevada, operated by the Young Artists Orchestra of Las Vegas. Starting in 2021, the Opus Music Competition became independently operated and run at the state and national levels with the winners of the state level competition advancing to the national competition.
State level winners are selected by instrument and age category. Winners are invited to compete in the Opus National Music Competition for cash prizes and national awards that include being aired on YouTube.
