Emma Kim, a pianist from North Hills High School, won the Butler Symphony's Young Artist Competition on Sunday.

Student pianist Emma Kim, of North Hills High School, was named overall winner of the Butler County Symphony Orchestra's Young Artist Competition on Sunday.

John Furman, executive director of the symphony, said five students competed at SRU's Swope Hall for a chance to perform in the symphony's next concert and win $200.

“It was nice. The students all gave good performances,” Furman said of the 43rd annual competition.

Emma was the only contestant in the pianist category of the competition. She performed her piece from memory. Furman said the judges' goal always is to look for the best performance overall.

“Her technique was very good, she did it from memory,” Furman said. “The piece performed was not an easy one to do. It was a rather long piece.”

Natalie Alfera, of Laurel Middle High School, won the instrumentalist category. She was one of four contestants.

Furman said next year's competition will feature college contestants.

Emma will perform “Tchaikovsky's Fifth” with the Butler Symphony during its concert on March 5.