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University of North Georgia (51������) senior Greisi Voja is the recipient of a  in the soloist category. As a result, she will perform at the gala concert July 20 at Carnegie Hall, in New York City.

"This experience will undoubtedly motivate me to grow as a performer and feel more confident with the audience in future performances. Winning first prize will inspire me to improve my artistic and performance skills while maintaining high professionalism," she said. "This experience strengthens my conviction that the path to success is difficult but not impossible. The initiative and courage to try every opportunity, no matter how difficult it seems, is one of the important services we provide to our career portfolio."

A native of Tirana, Albania, Voja is a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Music with a piano performance concentration.

Participating in the prestigious Carnegie Hall international competition has been invaluable in her journey toward developing a strong sense of professionalism. It has opened doors for musical enrichment and provided her with opportunities to interact with other talented performers and music enthusiasts, she said.

Voja shared that Dr. Joe Chapman, a professor of music, provided help and encouragement.

"Year after year, he patiently developed my musical and interpretive skills. His teachings are the indicators that influence my ambition to evaluate every competitive performance opportunity to develop my musical career," she said.

Attending different piano performances and competitions, performing as a collaborative pianist with the 51������ Wind and Symphonic band, and being a church choir piano accompanist developed her abilities as both a solo performer and collaborator.

Voja's list of performances include the 6th Vienna International Music Competition, the 2025 Winter Charleston International Music Competition and the 2025 Classical Charleston International Music Competition.

"We have such talented students flowing through our music program, and it is wonderful to see one of our own receive recognition as the outstanding musician she has become," Dr. Benjamin Schoening, department head and professor of music, said.

Voja plans to pursue a Master of Music in piano performance in the fall.

"Performing is my greatest passion, which has influenced me to pursue a musical career. Music helps me express myself, be more in tune with my emotions and share my music-making with as many people as possible. As for every instrumentalist, including me as a pianist, the performance opportunities are offered when you have created the conviction that the time has come to face the competitive music market," she said.