ADA — The Midwest Duettist Competition was held recently by the Midwest Music Teachers Association at Ohio Northern University.

Fifteen teams from Ka-Jens Piano Studio, under the direction of Kathleen Jendrusik, the founder and chairwoman of the competition, competed with other teams from throughout midwest Ohio. The duet pairs were required to play one classical piece in formal attire and one creative piece in full costume, with props and makeup relating to their compositions. They were graded on poise and presentation, creativity, clear melody phrasing, rhythm, tempo, dynamics and how well they conveyed the spirit of the music.

There were five levels of difficulty. Local students placed as follows:

The first level of elementary: Meredith Klein, daughter of Eric and Sarah Klein, of Anna, and Gabi Pelletier, daughter of Marc and Dena Pelletier, of Minster, first place; Alice Chrisman, daughter of Joseph and Heather Chrisman, of Sidney, and Haley Cox, daughter of Aaron and Mindy Cox, of Quincy, third place; Shannon O’Donnell, daughter of Patrick O’Donnell, of Lewistown, and Robyn Gossard, of Sidney, and Soleil Drinnen, daughter of Keith and Honey Drinnen, of Sidney, fourth place; Hannah Lozano, daughter of Omar and Melissa Lozano, of Sidney, and Loralei Chambers, daughter of Lorraine Rose of Sidney, fifth place.

Level Two of late elementary: McKenna O’Donnell, daughter of Patrick O’Donnell, of Lewistown, and Robyn Gossard, of Sidney, and Alyssa Jameson, daughter of Rob and Shirley Jameson, of Sidney, second place; Liliana Phillips, daughter of Keith and Sonya Phillips, and Addison Swearingen, daughter of Brent and Libbey Swearingen, of Sidney, third place; Katelyn and Zachary Meyer, children of Matt and Jenny Meyer, of Versailles, fourth place.

Level Three of early intermediate: Martha Chrisman, daughter of Joseph and Heather Chrisman, of Sidney, and Luke Hamaker, son of Shawn and Stacy Hamaker, of Fletcher, first place; Myla Cox, daughter of Aaron and Mindy Cox, of Quincy, and Keagan Smith, son of Doug and Karen Smith, of Sidney, second place; Abbey Swearingen, daughter of Brent and Libbey Swearingen, and Lola Chambers, daughter of Lorraine Rose, of Sidney, fifth place; Liliana Phillips, daughter of Keith and Sonya Phillips, and Colton Smith, son of Doug and Karen Smith, of Sidney, seventh place.

Level Four of intermediate: Taylor Bisbee, daughter of Michael and Jill Bisbee, and Conner Nuss, son of Brad and Kristina Nuss, of Sidney, second place; Brooklyn Jackson, daughter of Shane and Nichole Jackson, of Troy, and Myla Cox, daughter of Aaron and Mindy Cox, of Quincy, third place; Savanah Koester, daughter of Andrew and Katie Koester, and Lola Chambers, daughter of Lorraine Rose, of Sidney, fourth place.

Level Five of advanced: Grace Francis, daughter of Russell and Donna Francis, of Versailles, and Nobel Zhou, son of Jianyou and Lan Bai Zhou, of Sidney, first place.