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2024 Young Artist Competition Winners
Sponsor - Black Hills Symphony League
Senior Division
Diane Ketel Prize Winner - Caleb Van Vleet, viola
Runner-up - Cordelia Grey, cello
Honorable Mentions - Sean Tallon, violin, Luther Busching, violin and Brogan McGrath, piano
Junior Division
Winner - Rachael Bunger, violin
Runner-up - Connor Stuck, violin
Honorable Mentions - Evangeline Biers, piano and Evita Coleman, violin
Diane Ketel Prize Winner
Caleb Van Vleet
Caleb Van Vleet is a 16-year-old violist born and raised in Rapid City, South Dakota. He is a Junior at Rapid City Central High School where he is a member of the Central Chamber Orchestra. He has studied under Carol Knowles since he began playing the viola at the age of nine. He is also a student of the Black Hills Suzuki School. Caleb has played with the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra for the past two seasons. Caleb hopes to pursue music performance after high school. In addition to playing his viola, Caleb enjoys thrifting, collecting house plants, listening to music, and spending time with his dogs.
Caleb would like to extend a special thank you to the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra. He attended his first BHSO concert at age nine, which is what inspired him to continue playing the viola. Caleb would also like to thank his family, friends, and teachers who have helped him throughout his musical journey.
Diane Ketel
Starting in 2024, the Senior Division Winner of the Young Artist Competition will receive the "Diane Ketel Prize."
The Black Hills Symphony and the Black Hills Symphony League wanted to recognize and honor Diane's extraordinary service to the Young Artist Competition since its inception in 1978.
Beginning with the very first year of the Young Artist Competition, Diane has been accompanying the majority of Young Artist participants. This requires a great deal of preparation, virtuosic playing, and musical ability for each accompaniment that she prepares.
Students, parents and teachers remark that she treats every student with kindness, empathy and respect. Diane always takes the time to explain how the piano score integrates with the solo and helps students understand the complexities of their pieces and how accompaniments can enhance their performances. She is both honest and encouraging to every young person who walks in her door. We hope and expect that she will continue to accompany many students in the years to come.
Diane is principal keyboard with the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra and has performed as a guest artist with the BHSO on several occasions.
She has maintained a successful private piano studio since 1970, and has served as accompanist for many local and visiting artists, including the South Dakota All State Chorus and countless Young Artist Competition students. Currently organist at First United Methodist Church, she holds degrees from Dakota Wesleyan University and University of Oregon with special study at Chautauqua Institution and membership in Music Teachers National Association and the local affiliates.
Diane and her husband, Ken Ketel, have been active in supporting the Black Hills Symphony.
