SPC student pianist to perform at Carnegie Hall

As a music education and performance major at South Plains College, Jonah Sidney Campa-Peters has honed his piano skills among talented peers and mentors. His hard work at SPC will soon put him on stage at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Campa-Peters placed second as a pianist in the Fall 2025 American Protégé International Music Talent Competition, earning him the opportunity to perform in a recital on May 23 at Carnegie Hall. The sophomore student from Brownfield will play George Gershwin’s “Soon,” the song he auditioned to earn second place.

Instrumentalists and vocalists from around the world submit video recordings of their talents to audition for the American Protégé International Music Talent Competition. A record number of applicants from 10 countries participated in the Fall 2025 event.

“That stage has been the pinnacle for many musicians throughout history," Campa-Peters said regarding his upcoming recital at Carnegie Hall. “The opportunity, especially as a solo performer in a winner’s recital, is really significant.”

Last fall, Campa-Peters said his mentor, SPC music professor Hye-Gyung Ji, encouraged him to participate in the competition and prepared him for the video audition.

“She had told me about this competition which she had previously participated in,” he said. “In 2022, she won first place in the American Protégé International Competition of Romantic Music and performed in a similar winner’s recital.”

Campa-Peters, a soon-to-be SPC graduate in May, started piano lessons when he was 8 years old. He said seeing other musicians exude their passion on stage further ignited his love for music.

When it was time to pursue higher education, Campa-Peters said he realized a degree in music would provide many career and performance opportunities. He enrolled at SPC in the fall of 2024 after hearing about its distinguished music program and talented students and alumni.

“Every professor has invested in me and wants to see me succeed,” he said, recalling fond memories of SPC’s music program. “A big thing I discovered is a passion for jazz.”

Campa-Peters plans to transfer to Texas Tech University to obtain a degree in jazz performance. In the future, he said he will continue his devotion to worship ministry and sees himself teaching music to foster the love of the art in younger generations.

For students finding their way in life, Campa-Peters said it is vital to seek mentors who can further ignite career and creative passions, as he did with faculty at SPC.

“South Plains has amazing professors, amazing people who are always willing to support and see their students succeed,” he said. “If you really are invested and really want to pursue what you’re doing, reach out.”

For more information about SPC’s Fine Arts programs, visit the FINE ARTS WEBPAGE→