YOUNG ARTIST COMPETITION
The Rome Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce the winners of our Young Artist Competition. In addition to a cash scholarship, the winners will have the exciting opportunity to perform with the RSO during the 2025-2026 season.
2025 WINNERS
Winner, INSTRUMENTAL Division
Rileigh Wiebers,
ROME HIGH SCHOOL
Rileigh Wiebers is 15 years old and has been playing piano since age 3 . She is the 2018 University o f Texas at Arlington Piano Contest Division 2 winner, 2018 TAFA Top Talent Show winner and 2023 Rome Music Teachers Association Romantic Festival Advanced Division winner. Additionally, she scored superior ratings at University of Texas a t Arlington Piano contest i n 2017 and 2019, scored superior ratings and Outstanding Performer at the Fort Worth Music Teachers Association competitions in 2016-2020, and has also scored superior ratings at the Texas Federation of Music Contest in 2019-2020. She also received an Outstanding Performer award at the Atlanta Music Teachers Association in 2021. Rileigh also studies flute and enjoys singing in choir.
Winner, Vocal Division
Iley Barnes,
Berry College
Iley Barnes is a junior at Berry College, majoring in Vocal Music Performance. With a lifelong passion for musicals, Iley has portrayed memorable characters with the Ringgold High School Theatre Department, such as Anastasia in "Anastasia." Brenda Strong in "Catch Me If You Can," Then with the Berry College Theatre Department Alice Murphy in "Bright Star," Phoebe D'Ysquith in "A Gentleman's Guide t o Love Murder," and most recently with the Berry College Opera Company, Beggar Woman/Pirelli in "Sweeney Todd." She loves the arts and aims to pursue a career as both a performer and a teacher.
Runner-Up, Vocal Division
Lauren Sweat,
Berry College
Lauren Sweat i s from Kennesaw, GA and is a sophomore vocal performance major at Berry College. She recently played Johanna in Berry's Opera and Musical Theatre Workshop's production of Sweeney Todd. She also performed at state literary competition in high school for trio and girls solo her sophomore through senior year. Aside from her musical accomplishments, Lauren loves to hike and spend time with her friends and family. She plans to attend graduate school after Berry, and hopes to perform as well as have her own private voice studio. Lauren is a voice student of Ruth Powell Baker.