MVHS violinist Natasha Jose won the Knox County Symphony Young Musicians Competition, held on Sat. Sept. 30 at Kenyon College's Brandi Recital Hall.
The competition, sponsored by Psi Iota Xi Sorority, is open to both college and high school students.
Jose will perform Czardas by Monti with the Knox County Orchestra during its Winter Concert on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. at Kenyon College's Rosse Hall.
Jose is among the top students in Knox County.
In 2019, as a fifth grader, Jose was also the highest scorer in her playing level in the state in piano, receiving a State Certificate of Excellence and winning an invitation to perform at the Chicago Symphony Center. The appearance was cancelled due to COVID-19.
In 2021, she received a 2020 Gold Medal award for her piano playing, attaining the highest examination mark in the country for discipline and playing level.
In 2022, Jose won the annual Knox County Spelling Bee as an eighth-grader at Mount Vernon Middle School, correctly spelling "panel."
Jose is the daughter of Jose Oommen and Pheba George, both professsors at Mount Vernon Nazarene University.
Oommen is Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering. He holds an M.S. and Ph.D in electrical engineering from University of Alabama, Huntsville as well as degrees in digital electronics and engineering from Manipal Institute of Technology and Chegannur Engineering College, in India.
George is Assistant Professor of Biological and Health Sciences. She holds an M.S. and B.S. in Biology, and a Ph.D in Plant and Soil Sciences from Alabama A & M University.
