2025 Jane Rooks Ross & Barry Ross Youth Soloist Competition Winner

Emma van der Westhuizen is currently a 9th grade student at Loy Norrix High School in Kalamazoo. She started with informal piano lessons at age 3 at home and continued lessons with her mother, Sophié van der Westhuizen, until recently. She is currently a student of Logan Skelton at the University of Michigan. Emma also studies violin at Crescendo Academy with Ann Cirvencic, plays violin in the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony, dances with Ballet Kalamazoo and swims for the Loy Norrix Lady Knights swim team. Emma was most recently featured on Fontana’s 2025 recital featuring young talent in the area, BRAVO!, and similarly as pianist and violinist on Spotlight on Youth. She placed third in the first Phyllis Rappeport Piano Legacy Competition at WMU in 2023, as well as in the state-wide Michigan Music Teacher’s Association competition in both 2023 and 2024. Emma was awarded Outstanding Camper of the year at Blue Lake Summer Camp as pianist last summer and always enjoys taking part in Chamber Music Festival in Kalamazoo.