Rotary club music chairs joined winning contestants (from left) Temecula’s Julie Ngo; Janet Huang, Murrieta Valley High School; Joseph Hartel, Western Center Academy, and Eric Cardenas, Lake Elsinore High School.

Three local-area high schoolers took top prizes in the annual Rotary Club Music Competition held on Thursday, January 25th, at the Murrieta Corps Salvation by the Rotary Club of Murrieta and the Rotary Club of Temecula. Winners in the contest will move to the Rotary district competitions in March.

Janet Huang, a junior at Murrieta Valley High School, took first place in the piano category. First prize
earned her $250. Second place in piano went to Joseph Hartel, a freshman from Western Center Academy in Hemet. Joseph earned $150 for his accomplishment. Eric Cardenas, a sophomore at Lake Elsinore High School, took first place in the instrument category with his violin performance. First place awarded him $250.

The joint Rotary music contest was co-chaired by Rob Haskins, president of the Rotary Club of Murrieta,
and Julie Ngo, Assistant Governor and member of the Rotary Club of Temecula.

“We were very impressed with the talented musicians and are very thankful for the work
the judges put into this contest. We are confident that those moving into the advanced contests will do very well.” said Co-chair Haskins.

Judges were John Hess and David Bradley. John is a local filmmaker, educator and musician. David is a retired teacher and musician and has participated as a music competition judge for the past 10 years.