Individual Sponsors

J.D. Williams

Second Prize Sponsor

J.D. Williams became involved with the Kapell Competition in the early 1980s when he volunteered to host competitors at his home in University Park. "It was great because we could house a participant from a different country every time," he says. "Our children really benefited from that, and we didn't have to travel to other countries to learn about people from those countries." From that beginning, he branched out into marketing and fundraising. "I was interested in doing that because I was in business and had connections with other organizations I could tap," he says.

Q: Why do you support the Kapell?

JDW: I enjoy seeing people start a career, and I enjoy watching their professional growth. I think these competitions are wonderful for young artists – they're competing against a standard and not against each other. Having been a public school teacher, I know that kids really blossom when they learn, and I've heard discussions among the competitors about all the things they've learned from their fellow competitors. We'd have picnics before and after the competition that built a lot of camaraderie – and we heard a lot of conversations there.

Q. What are your thoughts about the future of the Kapell Competition?

JDW: We can really take this competition higher and higher. Every theater at the Center is so perfect, the music faculty continues to grow in stature, and the four-year cycle means we'll have time to polish, improve, streamline and tweak the event. We need to keep a group of people working in the off-years because setting up that infrastructure is incredibly important. Housing the competitors is a big part of that and, of course, raising funds is too.

Q. Is there anything else you would like to add?

JDW: I feel part of the Center; I've become very attached to it over the years. I feel good being asked to identify with the university, and I will continue giving my support. And I love it when I can be there in 20 minutes from door to door – I feel we're one of the best-kept secrets around, and that every year more people are discovering all the great things we have to offer. The Kapell Competition is certainly one of them.

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