Sphinx Organization

Sphinx Organization

Formation	1996
Type	Non-profit
Purpose	Development of young Black and Latino classical musicians
Location	Detroit, Michigan
Region served	United States
President and Founder	Aaron P. Dworkin
Website	sphinxmusic.org

The Sphinx Organization is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of young Black and Latino classical musicians. Based in Detroit, Michigan, it was founded by the American violinist Aaron Dworkin. The Sphinx was chosen to represent this organization because of what it symbolizes: "the power, wisdom and persistence" that the organization hopes to instill in its participants.

At age 25, Aaron P. Dworkin began the Sphinx Competition. While he was immediately met with skepticism from his violin teacher and the dean of the University of Michigan School of Music, his passion about the endeavor won them over. He was allotted $40,000 over the course of three years from the dean, Dr. Paul Boylan and gained grant money from other organizations including Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, Ford Motor Co., Masco Corp., and the Wolfensohn Family Foundation. In January 2010 the Sphinx Competition celebrated its 13th year. Since the start of the first annual competition, Sphinx has also begun a number of other programs to help the growth of minority involvement in classical music.

There have been multiple groups formed out of the Sphinx Organization. The organization itself has an orchestra known as the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra. Other groups created by the Sphinx Organization are: Catalyst Quartet, Harlem Quartet, and Sphinx Chamber Orchestra. The Sphinx Symphony is composed of Black and Latino professional players and teachers from around the United States. The Sphinx Chamber Orchestra allows Black and Latino musicians a chance to tour and classical music at a professional level. The Catalyst Quartet is formed by Sphinx Competition top laureates and the Harlem Quartet has all first place winners of the competition.

The Annual Sphinx Competition began in 1997. The Sphinx Competition give Black and Latino classical string players a chance to compete, work with an internationally renowned panel of judges and to perform with professional musicians. Prizes include over $100,000 in scholarships and cash prizes, as well as solo performances with major orchestras across the United States. Many of the past laureates have gone on to either study at very prestigious schools or began careers in solo or orchestra playing. Notable judges include Anthony Elliot, Sanford Allen, Atar Arad, Paul Katz, and Kim Kashkashian.