Pianist, composer, teacher and Falls Church resident James Fernando won first prize in the Young Artists Jazz competition as a part of the 9th West Virginia International Piano Competition and Festival, hosted by the School of Music at West Virginia University. For his performance, Fernando won a cash prize of $1800 and performed with the WVU Jazz Band over the weekend on their main stage at Lyell B. Clay Theatre.

Additionally, Fernando was awarded a performance slot at this year’s West Virginia Wine and Jazz Festival.