Solo Pianist Constance Lin Kaita Wins Second Place at 'Rising Stars Music Competition'

Manalapan resident Constance Lin Kaita won second place at the Pearl and Julius Young ‘Rising Stars’ Music Competition, Saturday, March 19 for her extraordinary work on the piano. Sponsored by the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey, the competition took place in College of Saint Elizabeth's Dolan Hall.

Kaita, and 13 other competitors from throughout the state, performed music on various orchestral instruments for both recognition and prizes. Her second place win awarded her $500 cash.

Kaita played Andante Sianato/Grand Brillante by Frederick Chopin. Kaita is not new to performing. The Freehold Township High School student debuted as a solo pianist at nine-years-old for the Westfield Symphony. Other solo performances include playing with the Bravur Philharmonic in New Jersey, with Philadelphia Biblical University Orchestra, with the Ambler Symphony Orchestra and with the Olney Symphony Orchestra in Pennsylvania.  

In 2004, Kaita was named the "Rising Star Performer" at the Beijing Music Festival.  She has also performed at the Forbidden City Concert Hall and the People's Congress Hall in Beijing. Both performances were broadcast nationally throughout China. 

Currently, Kaita pays with the Rutgers Symphony Band and studies under Dr. Chiu-Ling Lin of West Windsor. Ultimately, Kaita wants to teach music for special education students. 

The Rising Stars Music Competition was founded by Sanford and Stephen Young. They commemorated the competition to their parents, Pearl and Julius Young of New York City, who counseled young musicians. 

Other award winners were:

 
First Place: Vincent Ip, pianist, Montclair.
Vincent played Ballade No. 2 in F major, by Frederick Chopin. He received a $1,000 cash award and anopportunity to play a concerto movement with the Orchestra at its Summer Music Festival in August.
Third Place: Jessica Smith, clarinetist, of National Park.
Jessica played Concerto #2, Movement 3, by Carl Maria von Weber. As the third-place winner, Jessica received a cash award of $250.
Two Honorable Mentions: Jenny Shih, pianist, of Morris Plains and William Test, pianist, of Haledon. Jenny played Sonata #2, Op.35, Movement 1, by Frederick Chopin. Each won a cash award of $100 each.