Meet the 'Sound Opinions' Scholarship Prize Winners From Columbia

PhotoPhoto credit via "Sound Opinions" 2024 Photo Winner Emma Bolas "Doll House"
Nine Columbia students got their 15 minutes of fame on the popular Sound Opinions podcast with hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot. The special edition episodes aired interviews with Columbia students who are up-and-coming writers, musicians, and photographers.

Over a series of three 15-minute bonus episodes of “Sound Opinions,” co-hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot interviewed the winners of the criticism, photography, and songwriting competitions who are Columbia students and 2024 “Sound Opinions” scholarship recipients. Nine lucky winners were awarded scholarship funds thanks to the Goldschmidt Foundation, which has supported Sound Opinions for years and funds the scholarships. 

New to this year’s scholarship lineup was the photo competition, which sought submissions from students in Columbia’s photography program. Three winners were awarded scholarships and got the chance to share their work with the Sound Opinions podcast listeners. 

Photo Prize Winners

First Place – Emma Bolas 

Her work captures staged cinematic photos of people, often alone, in everyday settings but from a different perspective. The photo series Bolas submitted was inspired by her parents' divorce when she was in high school.  

Second Place – Sieanna Rowe 

Every photograph is named after a song that inspires Rowe. She plays with bold saturated colors and dismisses gender roles, giving her photographs a recognizable edge.  

“I’ve gone through so many mediums of art that I’ve tried out and photography and music were the ones that kind of stuck,” said Rowe. “I think it’s because I didn’t really go into photography knowing anything about the history or knowing any other photographers, so I really got to build this aesthetic from my mind.” 

Third Place – Sofie Doran Rasmussen 

“Rodeo” is a documentary photography project initiated in September 2023 exploring the diverse cultures and rugged determination of both animals and athletes, and the community the sport fosters.  

“From my first rodeo in September and at every rodeo since, the thing that has stood out to me most is the undeniable space for community and the healthy camaraderie the events provide,” said Rasmussen. “I have grown to appreciate these gatherings for much more than the horsemanship, but I've learned to see them as places of joy, family, and healing.” 

Criticism Prize Winners 

Jim DeRogatis noted to podcast listeners that he taught the three students who wrote reviews on works of art of their choosing. He tapped his co-host Greg Kot to select the three finalists for the scholarship prize. 

First Place - Sydney Richardson 

Sydney Richardson is a journalism major concentrating in broadcast radio and minoring in voiceover. She writes for The Columbia Chronicle and as DeRogatis puts it, “the secret weapon” over at the Chronicle according to Richardson’s faculty advisor. Her prize-winning review of the mixed media drawing “Gemini” by Selina Trepp landed her in first place. 

Second Place – Riane Bayne 

Columbia poetry major Riane Bayne reviewed Cuban-born artist Felix Gonzalez-Torres, “Untitled” (Portrait of Rossin L.A).” At first glance, the art appears to be just a giant pile of candy Bayne beautifully explains the deeper meaning behind the art.  

“The pile acts as a gut-wrenching testament to Gonzalez-Torres’ late partner and the devastation the AIDS epidemic caused in the Queer community,” wrote Bayne. 

Third Place – Nyla Lawson 

A voracious reader, writer, and poet, Nyla Lawson reviewed LL Mckinney’s YA novel “A Blade So Black” for the Sound Opinions writing competition. The novel is an imaginative retelling of Lewis Carroll’s classic tale “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” 

Lawson told DeRogatis that she re-read the YA novel five times before writing her review. Each reading revealed a new twist and discovery that allowed Lawson to write a compelling (and winning) review of the novel. 

Music Prize Winners  

First Place – Mary James “Femme” 

Mary James always knew she wanted to be a musician. She came to Columbia from a small town in New Hampshire with her heart set on writing and performing music. That dream came true, and her original song “Femme” won first place. “It’s one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written,” explained James. That passion shines through in the upbeat and catchy tempo of “Femme.”  

“I loved it – it stood out. It had a jazzy soul vibe, which I love,” said Kot. 

Second Place – Mark Berg “Feel the Rain” 

Mark Berg is a Chicago suburb native and Music major at Columbia. Berg combines influences from dance, electronic and R&B in his original song, “Feel the Rain.” The lyrics unfold “like a dorm-room romance,” explained DeRogatis.  

Berg is a one-man band for his music and writes, records, performs and produces his own music. Berg shared that he really loves producing and hopes to pursue that professionally. 

Third Place – Diondre Dunigan “I Hear You” 

From the South Side of Chicago, Diondre Dunigan has been a music lover since he was a kid. Dunigan channels his emotions in his music and by journaling. When asked what Dunigan wants to do with his music professionally, he explained that there is some uncertainty there, but he wants to do this professionally someday.  

“Something I’ve had to learn is managing your expectations as an artist,” said Dunigan. 

“My philosophy is focus on the music first and really putting my all into that, so other people have a chance to connect with it.” 

Congrats to the 2024 "Sound Opinions" Prize Winners! 

For a look at past winners of the "Sound Opinions" competition visit here. 

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