Congratulations to our 2025 winner Camden Smith!







Camden Smith is a 21 year old jazz and classical saxophonist based out of Lincoln Nebraska where he is currently studying under Dr. Paul Haar of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln studying Music Performance in Saxophone. With guidance from Paul Haar, Tom Larson, and Greg Simon, Camden has been able to perform with names such as Patricia Brennan of the Manhattan School of Music and Shawn Purcell of George Mason University. Although his undergraduate degree is of a classical focus, Camden has worked hard to learn the language of jazz through Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderley, Patrick Bartley, Wes Montgomery and others and incorporates their message through his music. He has been active in the Lincoln and Omaha jazz scenes and has played with such groups as the UNL Jazz Singers, UNL Jazz Orchestra, the Sean Lebita Quartet and many others. After his undergraduate degree, he plans to travel to Japan to take on the fusion and jazz scene and learn what it means to be a jazz musician outside of America. His future goals include becoming a successful music entrepreneur, professional artist, and eventually collegiate educator.







Congratulations to our 2025 Runner up Eric Torneten!







Eric Torneten is a trumpet player originally from Harlan, Iowa. He attends the University of Northern Iowa studying Music Education with a Jazz Emphasis. He currently studies under UNI trumpet professor Dr. Randy Grabowski, UNI Director of Jazz Studies Professor Chris Merz, UNI Associate Director of Jazz Studies Dr. Michael Conrad, and U.S. Army Blues Lead Trumpet Joshua Kauffman. Eric has performed with guest artists Willie Murillo, Andy Martin, Mike Stern, and John Clayton. While in high school at Harlan Community High School, Eric was named to the Iowa All State Jazz Bands (2021, 2022, 2023), attended the University of Nebraska-Omaha Summer Jazz Camp for several years, and was the lead trumpet for the state runner-up Harlan Community Jazz Experience (2022, 2023). Eric is an active member in the UNI School of Music, performing with Jazz Band Two, a jazz quartet, Wind Ensemble, Panther Marching Band and pep band. He is currently a member of the Beta Nu chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity and is in his second year on the organizing committee for the Tallcorn Jazz Festival which annually hosts approximately 75 high school bands from across the state of Iowa. Eric aspires to be a collegiate music educator and professional musician.