If you haven’t heard of Ifetayo Ali-Landing yet, you may soon.
The 14-year-old cellist won first place in the 20th Annual Sphinx Competition’s junior division in February.
The competition, which takes place in Detroit, Michigan, allows teens and college-aged black and Latino string players to compete amongst professional musicians.
Ali-Landing came in second during last year’s competition, but a runner-up position didn’t sit well for the prodigy.
“Last year I came in second place, which was great, but what I really wanted was first place, and this year I got it,” Ali-Landing, who transitioned from the violin to the cello at age four, told the Chicago Defender in February.
Although Ali-Landing’s victory, which comes with a $10,000 award and the promise of solo appearances with major orchestras and an appearance on the national radio program From the Top, took place a couple of months ago, her performance only recently began making its rounds among black media outlets.
Ali-Landing currently attends the Hyde-Suzuki Institute in Chicago. Keep killin’ them strings, girl.
Watch her interview with the Sphinx following her win below:
