Andrew Apgood has always enjoyed making music a part of his life. He's been singing ever since he was a child, and started playing instruments as soon as he possibly could. Eventually in high school he had the opportunity to try the bassoon. It's been 14 years now that Andrew has been playing the bassoon. Currently he is attending UVU, majoring in Music Education, and is studying bassoon under the instruction of Leon Chodos, the Associate Principle and Contrabassoon player for the Utah Symphony. Andrew is also currently a member of the Timpanogos Symphony Orchestra and has performed with other ensembles in the area such as the Intermountain Symphony Orchestra, the American West Symphony of Sandy, and the Salt Lake Symphony. He performed as Principle Bassoon in an Intercollegiate Band for the College Band Directors National Association, an ensemble comprised of some of the best college musicians across the western United States. And is currently preparing to attend the 2025 CBDNA conference to perform in the National Intercollegiate Band as the only representative from the state of Utah. But the achievement he is most proud of is being selected as a finalist for this Concerto Competition. Andrew would like to extend an exuberant and loving thank you to everyone that has helped, namely his teachers, his family, and most importantly his wonderful wife, without whom this would not be possible.

Cora Jackson is a student at Utah Valley University currently working towards her bachelor’s degree in Horn Performance. Before transferring to UVU, she studied at Snow College and marched 4 years of drum corps playing mellophone. Outside of school, she loves to cross stitch and spend time with her two cats. 

Nathan Mills grew up outside of Salt Lake City, where he studied with Richard Hoyt and performed with the Utah Youth Symphony and the Young Artist Chamber Players. A graduate of the University of Texas at Dallas, Nathan served as principal cellist of UTD's Musica Nova Chamber Orchestra and performed with the Allen Philharmonic Orchestra. Nathan made his international solo debut in March 2023 with the UTD Chamber Singers on their tour of Spain, performing Jake Runestad's four-seasons suite "Cello Songs.” He is an alumnus of the Sun Valley Music Festival Summer Institute, the International Pride Orchestra, and most recently the Classical Music Institute of San Antonio as part of their Teaching Artist Fellowship. While living in Austin, Nathan taught students ages 6 to 87 and performed regularly as a soloist and chorister with the UCC Chancel Choir on campus at UT Austin. Nathan is passionate about music as a social force and an agent of healing, and was a longtime volunteer with the Primary Children’s Medical Center music therapy staff. He is now a cello performance major at Utah Valley University, where he is honored to study with Dr. Cheung Chau both as his cello professor and orchestra director. Nathan is incredibly fortunate to play on a gorgeous instrument by the renowned American luthier Paul Hart.

Mezzo-soprano Marlie Krogh is a versatile and accomplished vocalist with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Utah Valley University. Praised for her engaging stage presence and vocal artistry, she has portrayed leading roles including Charlotte in Werther, Dido in Dido and Aeneas, and Nicklausse/Muse in Les contes d’Hoffmann.
A frequent competition winner, Marlie was awarded first place in the Utah Valley University Concerto Competition (2024), the Maestro Nicolas Giusti Mozart Award (2023), and N.A.T.S Regionals (2023). She was also a Utah District competitor in the Metropolitan Opera’s Laffont Competition (2024).
Marlie has participated in masterclasses with renowned artists such as Stanford Olsen, Marina Costa-Jackson, and Deborah Voigt. She continues to refine her craft under the guidance of Dr. Isaac Hurtado and Marina Costa-Jackson, bringing exceptional depth and expression to her performances.