Whiz Kid of the Week: Patrick Miller

This week’s Whiz Kid is Patrick Scott Miller, 16, of Herndon High School.

Miller, a violist, earned first place in the instrumental category at the James A. Bland Music Competition, hosted by the Vienna Lions Club last Saturday and will go on to compete at the regional competition in March.

The competition brought out 14 performers, from age 7 to 18, from across Fairfax County. The Virginia Lions Club has been holding the competition since 1948 and awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to students who take top spots in the competition. Saturday’s competition featured performances in piano, flute, violin and vocal contestants, who performed music by Bach, Mendelssohn, Mozart and more.

Earning first place for vocal performance was Nicoel Larkworthy, 16, of Langley High School. Earning second place honors were pianist Brent Connor McKenna and vocalist Audrey Jo Rinehard, both of the Duke Ellington School of Arts.

Want to nominate your own Whiz Kid? for nomination information!

* Editor's Note - 3/9/11: This article originally had Patrick Miller's instrument wrong. He is a violist.