Vancouver violinist clinches spot in regional competition

Lake Shore — Symphony Koss is heading to Missoula, Mont., in January to compete in the Music Teachers National Association’s Junior Violin Competition. Koss, a freshman at Columbia River High School, earned her spot as a division finalist after winning the Oregon State Junior String Competition. She has played violin 11 years, and with the Portland Youth Philharmonic Orchestra since she was in third grade. The next competition is on Jan. 17, and if Koss advances beyond that, she could compete in the national finals in San Antonio, Texas, in April.