Violin Student to Represent SMU at Prestigious MTNA National Competition

One of Meadows’ own student violinists will take the national stage this spring as she represents SMU in the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) National Competition, one of the most respected and competitive student music competitions in the country.

Each year, thousands of young musicians participate in MTNA competitions across the U.S., advancing through state and division rounds for the opportunity to compete nationally. The competition is designed not only to recognize exceptionally talented young artists and their teachers, but also to provide meaningful educational experiences that foster artistic growth and musical excellence.

For Daria Oleinik, a student of Meadows Artist-in-Residence and violin professor Alexander Sitkovetsky, earning a place at the MTNA National Competition marks both a milestone and a moment of reflection.

“The competition is a great opportunity for young musicians to grow, perform, and challenge themselves on a national level, but what I appreciate most about it is the chance to develop as an artist and to share my playing with a wider audience,” says Oleinik. “SMU has provided an environment that supports my artistic development, and I am grateful for the opportunity to carry the school’s name in this competition.”

Oleinik advanced to nationals after preparing an ambitious and stylistically diverse program for the South Central Division competition. Her repertoire spanned centuries and styles, including works by Bach, Beethoven, Sibelius, Ysaÿe, and Stravinsky, demanding both technical command and deep interpretive sensitivity.

As she prepares for the national competition, her aim is to continue strengthening stability, refining the musical ideas, and bringing a deeper level of expression to each work. Sitkovetsky emphasized that the achievement reflects sustained artistic growth.

“I am extremely proud of Daria reaching this far in the competition, not even so much because of the result, but because I can see that the hard work that she has put into her practicing and development over the last 18 months,” he explains. “She is playing at a much higher level than before and the fact that she is getting recognized for that through the MTNA is an added bonus.”

Oleinik’s musical journey began in childhood. She started studying violin in Ukraine and later continued her training at the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music before moving to the United States. She chose SMU in large part for the opportunity to study with Sitkovetsky, whose mentorship has played a defining role in her artistic development. Oleinik’s advancement in this competition not only speaks to her focused dedication to the instrument, but the strength of the school’s artistic community.

“This national recognition reflects not just a single performance, but years of focused craft, musical integrity, and individual determination,” says Samuel S. Holland, Dean of the Meadows School of the Arts. “Daria’s achievement, shaped through her work with Professor Alexander Sitkovetsky, signals both artistic excellence at the highest level and a musical voice poised for an extraordinary future.”

As she prepares for the national stage, Oleinik carries with her not only months of disciplined preparation, but the support of a faculty and community proud to see SMU represented among the nation’s most promising young artists.