2025 Young Artist Competition Winners

Sponsored  by The Black Hills Symphony League


Senior Division

  • Diane Ketel Prize Winner - Cecilia O'Malley, violin
  • Korngold Violin Concerto in D major, Op 35,
  • Runner-up - Seth Johnson, piano
  • Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue
  • Honorable Mention - Brogan McGrath, piano
  • Grieg Piano Concerto in A minor, Op 16

Junior Division

  • Winner - Rachael Bunger, violin
  • Mozart Concerto  No. 4 in D Major
  • Runner-up - Evita Coleman, violin
  • Viotti Concert No. 22 in A Minor
  • Honorable Mention - Elsa Stephenson, violin
  • Hubay Scenes de la Csarda, No 4  Op 32

Cecilia O'Malley

Diane Ketel Prize Winner

Cecilia O'Malley, violin


Cecilia O’Malley, from Hot Springs, South Dakota, is an accomplished violinist, cellist, and pianist who began her musical studies at the age of 2. An avid performer and competitor, Cecilia has received awards from the South Dakota Young Musician Concerto Competition, Robert Stanger Concerto Competition, Walgreen’s National Concerto Competition, Minnesota Orchestra’s YPSCA Competition, and the Oistrakh Concerto Festival on both violin and cello. In 2022, Cecilia was selected as the South Dakota state-representative for the MTNA West Central Competition, ultimately advancing to finalist in the National Conference on violin. The

following year she competed as a cellist and advanced again to the MTNA National Finals held in Reno, Nevada. Since her orchestral debut with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra on violin, she has also soloed with the Minnesota Sinfonia and the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra.


Possessing a passion for collaborating with fellow musicians in orchestra and chamber settings, she frequently travels to Chicago to perform with her current ensembles. As a chamber musician, she has garnered first place awards at the Rembrandt Chamber Players Competition, the Glass City Chamber Competition, and Chicago’s National Chamber Competition, as well as second place awards at the Barnett Chamber Competition and the Enkor International Chamber Competition.


Cecilia has spent her summers at the Black Oak Ensemble’s Cordes en Gascogne Festival in France and studying with the professors at the Meadowmount Institute of Music. She is privileged to study with Professor Gerardo Ribeiro of Northwestern University on violin, Dr. Tanya Carey of Roosevelt University on cello, and Ms. Tatyana Stepanova on piano. In her free time, Cecilia enjoys reading 1800s British literature, studying French, riding horses, watching Hollywood Golden Age movies, and spending time with her dog, Jack!

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.



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