February 23, 2011: Jocelyn Zhu, a Belhaven University sophomore, was awarded First Prize Winner in the 2011 American Protégé Music Talent Competition held in New York City. She will perform in The Winners’ Recital at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at the Weill Recital Hall located in Carnegie Hall.
"Performing in Carnegie Hall remains a wonderful opportunity that carries no small significance," said Dr. Stephen Sachs, Chair of the Music Department. "Although Carnegie as a sign of ‘making it’ in the music professional world has changed over the years, the reality is that Belhaven’s Jocelyn Zhu is an up and coming violinist who has the potential to have great impact in our musical culture."
Noting her performance had great passion and power, the judges invited her for the performance in New York City, which will be a wonderful opportunity for Jocelyn. She will present Sarasate’s “Introduction and Tarantella.” Along with this award, Jocelyn has received many others. She was the winner of the 2008 Mississippi State MTNA Junior Strings Competition. In 2009, she was a featured soloist with the Belhaven College Chamber Orchestra and the winner of the 2009 CICAS Summer Music Festival Concerto Competition in Arkansas.
Belhaven stands among the select Christian colleges and universities that offer a unique general core curriculum encouraging the development of a personal worldview. The university believes a Christian worldview is a key to preparing men and women academically and spiritually to serve Christ Jesus in their careers, in human relationships, and in the world of ideas.
Founded in 1883, Belhaven University now serves over 3,000 students from campuses in Jackson, Memphis, Orlando, Houston, Chattanooga, Atlanta, and online, offering traditional undergraduate degrees, graduate and adult degree programs, and online degree programs.