KOART SCHOLARS 2021
Angie Bolivar
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Instrument: Viola
Colombian violist Angie Bolivar is a remarkable example of a rising performer involved in the versatility of chamber music and the creativity of twenty-first-century music repertoire. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree from the Conservatory of Universidad Nacional de Colombia, She completed her Artist Diploma and Master’s Degree in Music Performance under Dr. Katrin Meidell at the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University. Angie has been part of orchestras such as Filarmónica Joven de Colombia, Orquesta Filarmónica Juvenil de Bogotá, Albany Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Symphony Orchestra and Lagrange Symphony Orchestra. Angie has been under the baton of Andres Orozco-Estrada, Lior Shmabadal, and Conrad Van Alphen, among others. Additionally, Angie has had masterclasses with Etore Causa, Jeffrey Irvine, Richard Young, the Shanghai String Quartet, Saint Lawrence String Quartet, Miami String Quartet, and others. Currently, she is the Viola Instructor at the Preparatory Division of the Schwob School of Music, Co-founding member of the Chamber Music Project of Columbus (GA), and the Koart Music Assistant at the First Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia.
Gabriel Scavassa Borin
Hometown: Brazil
Instrument: Double Bass
Brazilian double bassist with a wide variety of musical interests, Gabriel Borin is known for his versatility in both classical and jazz environments. As a member of the Orquestra Jovem Tom Jo-bim, first in the rhythm section and later in the bass section, Gabriel shared the stage with important Brazilian musicians like Chico Pinheiro, Nailor Proveta, Ricardo Herz, Josu ́e Batista dos Santos, Sidmar Vieira, and Letieres Leite; under the direction of Nelson Ayres and Tiago Costa. Gabriel was also a member of Orquestra Jovem do Theatro Sao Pedro, where he performed important operatic works by Bizet, Bernstein, Verdi and Rossini.
Thanks to Group Santa Marcelina Cultura, he participated on the recording sessions of “Orquestra Jovem Tom Jobim visita Moacir”, a CD dedicated to the memory of maestro Moacir Santos that have Ted Nash (tenor sax at Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra) and Daniel D’Alcˆantara (Brazilian trumpet player) as featured soloists.
The group Vitor Arantes Quarteto, which Gabriel was a member, was awarded in 2017 the prize Youth Revelations of Jazz by the Savassi Jazz Festival. The group also recorded a CD, available on Spotify, entitled “Elo”, listed on the “Discos de 2020: mais 30 ́albuns de musica instrumental brasileira” (ENG: “Records of 2020: 30 more albums of instrumental Brazilian music”), by the Brazilian music critic Carlos Calado.
Gabriel Borin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Composition from the Universidade Estadual Paulista “Julio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP - Sao Paulo State University “Julio de Mesquita Filho”), and a technical diploma from the Escola de Musica do Estado de S ̃ao Paulo (EMESP - Sao Paulo State Music School) – where he studied under the tutelage of Gabriel Bahlis, Sizao Machado, and Marinho Andreotti. He was also a private student of Tais Gomes – principal bass of Orquestra do Theatro Municipal de Sao Paulo (Sao Paulo Opera House), and holds a Master’s Degree in String Bass Performance from The University of Southern Mississippi, under the guidance of Dr. Marcos Machado. Currently, Gabriel is pursuing an Artist Diploma in Double Bass Performance at Columbus State University, as a student of Dr. Patricia Weitzel.
Alexander Hamm
Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska
Instrument: horn
Alex Hamm is a 2nd year Artist Diploma student playing the french horn at the Schwob School of Music and a freelance professional photographer. Alex hails from Anchorage, Alaska and this will be Alex's third and final year playing horn and singing as a Koart Scholar with the First Baptist choir. In his free time, Alex likes to go hiking, drink copious amounts of coffee, and practice photography.
Derek Hornberger
Hometown: Fayetteville, GA
Instrument: trombone
My name is Derek Hornberger. I am from Fayetteville, GA. Currently a Junior at Columbus State University, I am pursuing a degree in Music Education. I grew up playing trombone in my church orchestra, and also had the opportunity to lead worship at the summer camp where I’ve worked for the past three years. I’m excited to keep serving through music here at First Baptist and to learn more about music ministry.
Ana Patricia Arosemena Sandoval
Hometown: Panama City, Panama
Instrument: Double Bass
Ana Patricia Arosemena is a Double Bass player born in Panama. She studied at the University of Panama under the tutelage of maestro Roberto Flores, principal double bass player of the Panama Symphony Orchestra. At national level, she played as a guest musician in the Panama Symphony Orchestra, the Philharmonic Orchestra of Panama, and Camerata Panama. She represented her country in different festivals and national gatherings like Alfredo de Saint Malo Festival, and international ones such as Italian-Panamanian Orchestra, Iberoamerican Orchestra, Central American Youth Orchestra in Panama, Honduras, Mexico; summer courses in Bulgaria, Portugal, among others. Between 2012 and 2018, she worked as a teacher in organizations such as FUNSINCOPA, FUNDAMOA, Mayor's Office of Panama City, and UNDP-ONU National Network of Orchestras and Choirs of Panama. Mrs. Arosemena holds a master's degree in Double Bass performance from The University of Southern Mississippi, and she is about to start a teaching certificate and Double Bass studies under the tutelage of Dr. Patricia Weitzel at Columbus State University from this coming Fall 2021.
Jennifer Saavedra Tovar
Hometown: Colombia
Instrument: clarinet
Born in Ibagué (Colombia), studied at the Tolima’s Conservatory with Professor Carlos Fernández. She graduated a bachelor’s degree in music with an emphasis in Music Education at the National Pedagogical University and a master’s degree in music with an emphasis on clarinet performance of the Pontifical Xaverian University. In 2004, she won the award for “Best Instrumentalist” in the youth category of the National Musical Bands Competition in Paipa, Boyacá (Colombia). She also studied clarinet with José Gómez, Guillermo Marín and Mark Friedman. As a member of chamber groups, she has been awarded important distinctions such as the International Circulation Scholarship for the District Stimulus Program of the Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra (2018), winner of Chamber Group Circulation Award for the District Stimulus Program of the Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra as well. Currently, she is pursuing an Artist Diploma at Columbus State University with Dr. Lisa Oberlander.
Courtlyn Holt
Hometown: Leesburg, GA
Major: Vocal Performance
Courtlyn Holt, originally from Albany, Georgia, is excited to be back for her 4th year as a Koart Scholar at First Baptist of Columbus. She is currently a senior at CSU where she will graduate with a theater degree, a dance minor, and a musical theater certificate, though she has a strong background and training in opera. Courtlyn is also a dance instructor at Academy Dance Center and a previous dance instructor at Pink Slipper School of Dance in Albany. You may have seen her in several shows at the Springer Opera House and CSU. You can also find her in the Springer’s upcoming show Shrek as the role of “Gingy”. Courtlyn would like to thank her family, friends, mentors, and the members of First Baptist for their relentless love and support!
Maria Paula Loria Valerin
Hometown: San Jose, Costa Rica
Instrument: Harp
Born in Costa Rica, Maria Paula Loria Valerin began her musical studies at the National Institute of Music of Costa Rica in 2009 where she focused on harp performance under the mentorship of Ruth Garita Quesada. During this time she performed with several ensembles including the National Youth Orchestra of Costa Rica and the Youth Orchestra of Central America and the Caribbean. In 2018 she arrived at Columbus State University, where she is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Harp Performance with Professor Susan Brady. Maria Paula has been principal harp or guest principal harp with the Springer Opera House and the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra.
Raleigh Williams
Hometown: Auburn, Alabama
Instrument: flute
Raleigh Williams is a flutist from Auburn, Alabama and is back for his 2nd year as a Koart Scholar. He is a sophomore at CSU pursuing a music education degree. While in high school, he competed in competitions such as Music Teachers National Association. You can see him performing at CSU regularly with the Wind Ensemble, CSU’s top band. Raleigh would like to thank all of his friends, family, teachers, and members of First Baptist Church for their love and support throughout the years and for years to come!
