Victor Borge Legacy Award Winners Announced by Museum of Danish America in Iowa

Piano recitals to be held at the Museum of Danish America on April 26 and June 1, 2014.

The Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn, Iowa is honored to announce this year’s winners of the Victor Borge Legacy Award in Omaha and southwest Iowa.  Named in honor of the beloved comedian and musician, the Victor Borge Legacy Award is designed to encourage young pianists in the Omaha and Southwest Iowa regions.  Four talented piano students have earned cash prizes of $1,000 and $500 dollars and will perform in public recitals at the Museum of Danish America. This is the third year of the Victor Borge Legacy Award, a program organized by the museum and funded by R. James and Janet Borge Crowle of Saint Michaels, Maryland, with additional support from the Eric and Joan Norgaard Trust.

The first-place winners, each receiving a $1,000 cash prize, are Emily Zhang of Omaha, Nebraska, and Emily Umphreys of Council Bluffs, Iowa.  Second-place winners, each receiving a $500 cash prize, are Katherine Payne of Woodbine, Iowa, and Moriah Hellstrom of Omaha, Nebraska.

The winners were selected in piano competitions organized by the Southwest Iowa Music Teachers Association and the Omaha Music Teachers Association.  Each competitor performed multiple piano solo works in front of a judge, and winners have also prepared a written essay about the legacy of Victor Borge.

All four winners will perform at the Museum of Danish America in public recitals.  Emily Zhang and Emily Umphreys will perform on April 26, 2014 and Katherine Payne and Moriah Hellstrom on June 1, 2014.  The public is invited to enjoy these talented musicians as they perform on Victor Borge’s own piano, part of the museum’s collection.  Each recital will begin at 2 p.m. and will be followed by a reception.

The Museum of Danish America is located at 2212 Washington Street, Elk Horn, IowaWASHINGTON 51531. For information, call 712-764-7001 or visit www.danishmuseum.org.

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