Outstanding ensembles and soloists recognized at 2026 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival

Awards and scholarships celebrate standout young musicians from across the region and support future study at University of Idaho

The annual Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival is hosted on campus April 15-18, 2025. Pictured at left is Olivia Niles, of Lake City High School in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, who won the vocalist Avista Scholarship Competition. Pictured at right is Sierra Sedgwick, of Lewiston High School in Lewiston, Idaho, who was the runner-up in the vocalist Avista Scholarship Competition.The 2025 winner and runner-up of the Avista Foundation scholarship for Outstanding High School Vocalist.

April 29, 2026

MOSCOW, Idaho — The 59th annual Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, held April 22-25 at University of Idaho, celebrated exceptional student talent by honoring top ensembles and solo performers from across the region.

Sweepstakes Awards were presented to the following outstanding large ensembles:

  • Junior Category: Northwood Jazz Band I from Northwood Middle School in Spokane, directed by Brian Comstock.
  • High School Vocal Category: Caldera Inversion from Caldera High School in Bend, Oregon, directed by Luke MacSween.
  • High School Instrumental Category: Jazz Ensemble I from Edmonds-Woodway High School in Edmonds, Washington, directed by Jake Bergevin.

In addition, four high school soloists received Avista Foundation scholarships to attend U of I, in recognition of their outstanding performances:

  • Outstanding High School Vocalist: Madeline Alviar from Garfield High School in Seattle, directed by Blake Saunders.
  • Runner-up High School Vocalist: Jase McKnight from Lewiston High School in Lewiston, directed by Julie Burke.
  • Outstanding High School Instrumentalist: Gavin Bunbury from Edmonds-Woodway High School in Edmonds, Washington, directed by Jake Bergevin.
  • Runner-up High School Instrumentalist: Theo McGaughey from Chief Sealth International High School in Seattle, directed by Joey Roberts.

The Avista Foundation awards scholarships annually at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival to the top high school vocal and instrumental soloists. Scholarships — $1,500 for winners and $1,000 for runners-up — may be used to pursue any major at U of I.

This year’s festival welcomed about 2,000 students and educators to Moscow for adjudicated performances, public workshops and four evenings of concerts featuring world-renowned artists, including Summer Camargo, Tito Puente Jr., Jazzmeia Horn, Warren Wolf, Something Else! and the Lionel Hampton Big Band.

For more information about the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, visit uidaho.edu/jazzfest.

Media contact

Alisa Volz  
Communication Specialist  
Department of Theatre Arts & Lionel Hampton School of Music  
208-885-6465  
avolz@uidaho.edu

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