Rebecca Smith, a music student at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Jackson County Campus, won third place for college-level students at the Alcorn State University Piano Competition. The competition, now in its second year, included high school and college students from around the nation.
“I was so excited about one of our students winning, and it is really a prestigious honor,” said Dr. Alessandra Feris, piano instructor at the Jackson County Campus. “Rebecca has worked very hard. While this is her first year as both a voice and piano student, she was able to impress the judges at the event with her talent.” Feris, an internationally-renowned pianist who has performed extensively in Europe, South America and the United States, performed the opening recital for the event.
Smith, the daughter of Michael and Emily Smith of Pascagoula, has played piano for years. She is the organist in her church, Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Pascagoula, and is the student accompanist for voice students and various choirs in the area. “It was an honor for me to be able to participate in such a great competition,” Smith said. “I was really surprised and thrilled to place in it!”
