It was a thrilling evening of music at Jubilee Place Auditorium. 

Three decidedly different finalists -- cellist Sam Nadurak, soprano Christina Thanisch-Smith, and pianist Jammie Lee -- performed alongside the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra under the baton of maestro Julian Pellicano in the final round of the prestigious WMC McLellan Competition for Solo Performance. 

After a lengthy deliberation, the judges awarded the $10,000 top prize to pianist Jammie Lee for his performance of the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini by Rachmaninoff. 

Second prize went to soprano Christina Thanisch-Smith and third to cellist Sam Nadurak. 

In all, the $20,000 total purse is one of the most generous awarded to young musicians with close ties to Manitoba. 

This year, the Women's Musical Club of Winnipeg is celebrating 130 years and the McLellan Competition, run every two years, marked its 10th anniversary. 

Congratulations to all of the finalists -- and to the Women's Musical Club of Winnipeg for such an outstanding event.