Introducing our 2023-2024 Diversity Fellow: Patrick Prejean
We are pleased to announce our 2023-2024 Diversity Fellow, Patrick Prejean! Patrick will be a featured violist this season.
Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, Patrick Prejean first started his studies at age 8 at the Acadiana Conservatory. Prejean recalls about his beginnings saying, “My mother was against me playing the viola initially. Her exact words were: Black people don’t play that instrument.” It was the spark needed to prove a point for him.
Since then, he has gone on to graduate from Interlochen Arts Academy and has won orchestral positions with Lake Charles Symphony Orchestra and Acadiana Symphony Orchestra. their youngest member at age 18. In 2014, he moved to study at the Cleveland Institute of Music under Stanley Konopka. It was here that his interest in composition started to take root and subsequently his “String Quintet” was premiered.
Since then, he has gone on to win the call for scores submission from PARMA Recordings for his "Violin Sonata" and tie for 3rd place in the Kings Peak International Competition.
Prejean plans to continue his pursuit of an orchestral position with a major orchestra and performing and composing contemporary music.