Young Artist Competition

JUDGES: YOUNG ARTIST 2026

Dr. Diane Earl
Dr. Diane Earle has performed in seventeen countries, including three extensive tours of China. She has enjoyed many European concert tours, with multiple performances in Italy, Czech Republic, Great Britain and other countries. She is spokesperson for Yangtze River Piano Company in China, Ambassador to the Nyali Music School in Mombasa, Kenya, and a member of the Council for Ph.D. Studies at Palacký University in the Czech Republic. A newspaper in Wuxi, China, wrote: “When the beautiful music notes cascaded from her fingertips, all the people in the audience were mesmerized.”

On the national level, Diane has performed in 34 states. Highlights include Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Hawaii University International Conference in Arts and Humanities, Straz Center (Fla.), Sioux City Chamber Music Association (Iowa), New York City’s The Juilliard School and Kaufman Center, The Mansion at Strathmore (Washington, D.C.), Canton Cultural Center (Ohio), Kazanetti Quartet (Ga.), Asheville Symphony Guild (N.C.), Tippecanoe Chamber Music Society (Ind.) and many others. She enjoys performing recitals on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruise ships. Earle also partners with violinist Alfred Abel of Indianapolis in chamber music recitals.

On the local/regional scene, Dr. Earle is Professor Emeritus of Music at Kentucky Wesleyan College (KWC). She is principal pianist for the Owensboro Symphony. As a Kentucky Arts Council Performing Artists Directory artist, Diane was honored as Featured Artist in May and June of 2016. She has played for KET, WUOL-FM broadcasts, Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and was selected as Grand Marshal of the 2014 Owensboro Christmas Parade.

Diane received a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance, magna cum laude, from University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. Her Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in Piano Performance and Literature were from The Ohio State University. She did additional doctoral and post-doctoral study at Eastman School of Music, Indiana University, Music Academy of the West, Blossom Festival School, and New York City.


Dr. Jean Gomez
Dr. Jean Gómez is a Costa Rican conductor, violist, and advocate educator known for his energetic leadership and expressive musicianship. As Director of Orchestral Activities at the University of Evansville, he conducts the UE Symphony Orchestra and teaches conducting and music appreciation courses. His work demonstrates a strong commitment to community engagement, artistic excellence, and inclusivity.

He began his musical journey at the Escuela Municipal de Música de Paraíso and the Sistema Nacional de Educación Musical in Costa Rica. He later obtained dual master’s degrees in orchestral conducting and viola performance from Truman State University, followed by a Doctor of Musical Arts in ensemble conducting with a minor in piano from the University of Georgia.

An active performer and clinician, Dr. Gómez has conducted and performed throughout Central America, Mexico, Uruguay, Peru, Italy, and the United States. He has worked under the mentorship of renowned conductors including Dr. Diego Piedra, Dr. Sam McClure, Mark Cedel, Carl St. Clair, Osmo Vänskä, and Benjamin Zander. In 2019, he won first place at the International Conductors Workshop and Competition in Atlanta, and he has been a finalist twice for The American Prize in Orchestral Conducting.

In addition to his academic role, Dr. Gómez is involved in international festivals and performs regularly on violin and viola with regional ensembles. He is dedicated to strengthening musical communities through collaborations, outreach, and education.

Third Judge To Be Announced Soon.