Melissa Gardiner, the College's trombone instructor, took home the grand prize from EUROPAfest's Bucharest International Jazz Competition, which took place in Romania in May. The competition consisted of three rounds - a taped audition round, a semi-final round and the finals.
Gardiner's participation in the competition was supported by an adjunct faculty research and development grant from the College that helped cover some expenses.
"I'm so thrilled that we won the competition," said Gardiner. "Through the connections I've made, I am already planning an exchange program with a 'sister' band from Syracuse, Italy. I'm also hopeful that the relationship I have developed with the EUROPAfest director will lead to opportunities for my students in the future."
Her jazz trio, MG3, was accepted into the top-rated European jazz contest as a finalist among 17 bands with musicians from 12 countries: Azerbaijan, Belgium, Cuba, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Jordan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Spain, and the U.S.
Gardiner is picture above with organist Willerm Delisfort, on left, and drummer Byron Cage. Learn more about her accomplishment in this
story in the Syracuse New Times. You can also
read about her recent performance (and watch her perform) with the Dave Matthews Band at their performance on June 5 in Syracuse.