More than $100,000 in prizes and concert engagements were awarded at the final rounds on 23 and 24 January
The finals of the 2026 Sphinx Competition were held on 23 and 24 January in Detroit, MI. Three finalists in each of the Junior and Senior divisions performed for their chance to win prizes worth more than $100,000.
In the Senior division, cellist Andres Sanchez won the Robert Frederick Smith Prize, worth $50,000. Second place went to violinist Sophie Ayer, who received $20,000, while third place of $10,000 went to bassist Taylor Abbitt. Abbitt also received the Audience Choice prize, worth $5,000.
Sanchez, 28, is from Lansdale, PA. He was a semi-finalist at the Schoenfeld International Cello Competition in 2025 and received honorable mentions at the Sphinx Competition in both 2024 and 2025.
In the Junior division, violinist Alette Williams won first prize of $10,000. cellist Sofia Hernandez-Williams took second prize of $5,000, while cellist Sonya Moomaw took third prize of $3,000.
16-year-old Williams comes from Keller, TX. Her achievements include first prize in the Lynn Harrell Competition, the TexASTA Competition, the GDYO Concerto Competition, and the BYSO Repertory Orchestra Concerto Competition. She has also been concertmaster of the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra and a semi-finalist in the Sphinx Competition.
Both first-prize winners will also receive solo appearances with major orchestras.
The Sphinx Competition, held every year in Detroit, MI, is a national competition for string musicians, that transforms lives by celebrating the artistic talent, providing career advancement opportunities and addressing systemic obstacles within Black and Latino communities.
The 2026 Sphinx Competition jury comprised Leon Bosch, Sterling Elliott, Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, Philippe Quint and Martin Sher.
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