5th Annual Sphinx Medal of Excellence
January 11th, 2016
November, 17, 2015
Music Institute of Chicago Academy cellist Gabriel Cabezas, former student of Hans Jorgen Jensen, is the recipient of the 5th annual Sphinx Medals of Excellence. On March 16, 2016, Sphinx will honor three outstanding artists of color who demonstrate the following qualities: artistic excellence, outstanding work ethic, a spirit of determination, and great potential for leadership. The awards will be bestowed at the official Sphinx Medals of Excellence luncheon and honorees will be celebrated at a black-tie private dinner in Washington, D.C. The three Medalists will also each receive a $50,000 artist grant for their career development.
Cabezas studied at the Music Institute of Chicago from 2003-2009, then at the Curtis Institute of Music with Carter Brey, and is a recipient of the Career Grant by the Rachel Elizabeth Barton Foundation. Cabezas was the first place Laureate at the Sphinx competition twice - in the Junior Division (2006) while studying at MIC and in the Senior Division (2012).