COLUMBUS, Ind. – Heritage Fund announced Columbus Signature Academy New Tech senior Santi De Luna and Columbus North senior Natalie Cantu Garcia as the winners of the 2025 Brown Music Competition on Saturday at Columbus Indiana Philharmonic’s Helen Haddad Hall.
De Luna, a student of instructor Samuel Salazar, won the Betty F. Brown Awards for Instrumental Excellence, performing “Tuba Concerto” by Bruce Broughton. Cantu Garcia, a student of Jenny Heichelbech, won the Anna Newell Brown Awards for Vocal Excellence, singing “Solveig’s Song” by Grieg and “Star Vicino.” Each high schooler will receive a $3,500 scholarship award.
The Betty F. Brown Awards for Instrumental Excellence was established by Robert N. Brown in 1992 in memory of his wife. She was a well-known and highly respected advocate of the arts. The Anna Newell Brown Awards for Vocal Excellence was established through the Heritage Fund in 1985 by Robert and Betty Brown to honor Mr. Brown’s mother, Anna Newell Brown, a distinguished vocalist.
Robert Brown was the longtime chairman of Home News Enterprises, The Republic’s parent company. He also served as chairman of the Heritage Fund Board from 1980 to 1983.
Twenty-three students participated in the competition.
Other senior award winners were:
- Instrumental – Rishabh Rajesh ($1,500)
- Vocal – Benjamin Planalp ($1,500); Kate Franklin ($750)
Underclass award winners were:
- Instrumental – Vincia Li ($2,400); Nino Akhalaya ($1,500); Carrie Wang ($1,500); Gabriel Boggs ($800); Max Hall ($800)
- Vocal – Ava Burbrink ($2,500); Danniella Riley ($1,250); Elizabeth Alderfer ($1,000); Addy Newman ($750); Rebekah Woodruff ($500); Liliana Martinez ($500)
Garcia-Courtesy-HFBC
De Luna-Courtesy-HFBC
