CALDWELL, NJ — Fifteen-year-old Sanaya Mistry, a sophomore at Mount Saint Dominic Academy in Caldwell, has won first place at the International Classical Music Competition. The competition is well-known and attracts top musicians from around the world.
Sanaya performed on March 16 at Carnegie Hall in New York City. She competed against talented musicians from 14 countries across six age groups. Her performance stood out and earned her the top prize.
“It’s every musician’s dream to perform on such a famous stage,” Sanaya said. “I feel very lucky to have had this chance.”
Sanaya credits much of her success to her teacher, Nancie Lederer from West Caldwell. “Ms. Lederer has been an amazing mentor,” Sanaya said. “Her lessons helped me become more confident and expressive.”
Sanaya started playing violin at age seven. She has played with groups such as the Southern California Youth Philharmonic, the New Jersey Youth Symphony, and the New Jersey Youth Orchestra. She has also taken part in the Maplewood Chamber Music Workshop for three years and is the Concertmaster for the String Ensemble at Caldwell University, where she is dual enrolled. She spends her summers improving her skills in SummerStrings, a selective program at NYU’s Steinhardt School of Music.
One special highlight in her career was performing in 2022 with the famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma during the New Jersey Symphony’s Centennial Concert at NJPAC.
At the International Classical Music Competition, Sanaya impressed the judges with her “rich and technically precise” performance of J.S. Bach’s Concerto No. 1 in A Minor (BWV 1041). Judges praised the emotional depth and musicality she showed.
Sanaya’s achievement reflects the high standards of Mount Saint Dominic Academy. As she continues her musical journey, she remains a strong example of talent, hard work, and leadership nurtured at the school.
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