We are thrilled to announce the semifinalists for the 2026 Leonard Falcone Euphonium & Tuba Competition. We extend our deepest thanks to all who submitted applications—your artistry, dedication, and willingness to share your work made this an inspiring and truly competitive process.

We also offer our heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to the teachers and mentors whose guidance continues to shape and elevate these remarkable musicians. We eagerly look forward to hearing the semifinalists in person at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp this August as they advance to the next stage of the competition.

NOTE: Individual letters to applicants with results of the competition will be sent out within a few days. Comments for those who had requested them will be sent in early June.

EUPHONIUM ARTIST

Armando Jose Alicandu	Miami, FL	United States		Erik Lundquist, Calvin Jenkins
Alexander Aull	Monroe, GA	United States	Carnegie Mellon University	Hiram Diaz, Dr. Matthew Shipes, David Zerkel
Jack Bird	Fairfax, VA	United States	University of Michigan	David Zerkel, Greg Freeman
Kathryn Carley	Springfield, VA	United States	George Mason University	Mark Jenkins, Justin Benavidez, Mark Kellogg, Sharon Huff
Jose Castillo	Edinburg, TX	United States	University of Texas Rio Grande Valley	Dr. Scott Roeder
Parker Dye	Louisville, KY	United States	University of Arizona	Dr. Matthew Tropman
Louis Lagueux	Montreal, Quebec	Canada	Université de Montréal	Charles Benaroya, Vincent Brossard
Reece Hinton	Platte City, MO	United States	University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music	Timothy Northcut, Angelo Manzo, Nate Gay
Jackson Holliday	Fairfax, VA	United States	George Mason University	Dr. Mark Jenkins, Dr. Art Haecker
Jethro E Thorne	Stevensville, MT	United States	University of Montana	Dr. Benedict Kirby

Euphonium Artist Alternates (in order)

Grant Johnson	Lenexa, KS	United States	University of Kentucky	Brandon Smith, Scott Watson, David Earll, Grant Morgan
Marco Alzaitoun	Fort Worth, TX	United States	University of North Texas	David Childs, Justin Weis
Henry Otts	Fairhope, AL	United States	University of Texas at Austin	Charles Villarubia, Will Petersen

TUBA ARTIST

Joey Barnhouse	Norwich, OH	United States	Baldwin Wallace University	Dr. Ken Heinlein, Richard Stout, Dr. Andrew, Mitchell Jon Kelsey
James Caldwell	Pearland, TX	United States	Oklahoma State University	Dr. Ryan Robinson, Matt Good, Don Little, Steve Curtis
Micah Crouse	Murray, KY	United States	Illinois State University	Dr. Andy Rummel, Dr. Todd French
Victor Cruz	Edinburg, TX	United States	University of Texas Rio Grande Valley	Dr. Scott Roeder
Seth Dossa	Crescent Springs, KY	United States	University of Kentucky	Dr. Brandon Smith
Ian Graves	Jacksonville, NC	United States	University of Kentucky	Dr. Brandon Smith
Adam Hutcherson	Norman, OK	United States	University of Oklahoma	Brian Dobbins
Jonathan Miller	St. Petersburg, FL	United States	Eastman School of Music	Justin Benavidez, Thomas Riccobono, Harold Van Schaik
Nick Tesmer	Austin, TX	United States	Baylor University	Dr. Kent Eshelman
Gabriel Welch	Winona, MN	United States	University of Miami	Dr. Aaron Tindall, Steven Campbell

Tuba Artist Alternates (in order)

Casey Stringer	Fort Worth, TX	United States	Texas Christian University	Dr. Clay Garrett, Scott Mendoker, Dr. J.D. Salas
Jack Craven	Leander, TX	United States	Oklahoma State University	Ryan Robinson, Gabe Cowles, Glenn Dewey, Ryan Matajek
June Eickholdt	Colleyville, TX	United States	University of Miami	Aaron Tindall

EUPHONIUM STUDENT

Andrew Dahlstrom	Washingtonville, NY	United States	SUNY Potsdam	Dr. Charles Guy, Nathaniel Rensink, Ari Contzius, Nicole Redeker
Manami Ishii	Bihoro Town Hokkaido	Japan	Hokkaido Kitami Hokuto High School	Tatsuya Sano
Mira Shelgikar	Ann Arbor, MI	United States	Ann Arbor Huron High School	Ellen Le, Amanda Blackson-Pakela, Jonathan M. Holtfreter
Sayaka Toyomura	Fukuoka, Fukuoka	Japan	Heisei College of Music	Yudai Hironaka
Sullivan Tucker	Crestwood, KY	United States	University of Kentucky	Brandon Smith, Chris Schmidt
Avanith Vijay	Suwanee, GA	United States	Lambert High School	Mr. Bernard Flythe

Euphonium Student Alternates (in order)

Eric Maxey	Louisville, KY	United States	University of Michigan	David Zerkel, Chris Schmidt
Cooper White	Owensboro, KY	United States	Western Kentucky University	Chris Schmidt, Pat Stuckemeyer, Nate Clark
Matthew Van Dam	Edmond, OK	United States	Oklahoma State University	Dr. Ryan Robinson, Tanner Morgan, Jeff Jahnke, Paul Nesper

TUBA STUDENT

Gino Calipo	Union, KY	United States	University of Kentucky	Brandon Smith
Samuel Lorentz	Crystal Lake, IL	United States	Illinois State University	Andy Rummel
Rufino Medado	Aransas Pass, TX	United States	Texas Christian University	Dr. Clay Garrett, Dr. Donald Pinson, Dr. Jesse Orth
Tate Newman	Midlothian, TX	United States	Texas Christian University	Dr. Clay Garrett, Gary Oncken
Bryce Rhoades	Claremore, OK	United States	Baylor University	Dr. Kent Eshelman, Mr. David Mudd, Mrs. Courtney Acord, Mr. TJ Smith
Chase Russell	Murfreesboro, TN	United States	Stewart Creek High School	Micheal Chester

Tuba Student Alternates (in order)

Theodore Marvel	Hopkinsville, KY	United States	Florida State University	Matt Hightower
Michael Madera	Dothan, AL	United States	University of South Alabama	Dr. Clayton Maddox
Yun-Chen Li	Taoyuan, Taoyuan	Taiwan	Arizona State University	Deanna Swoboda