Lizzie Chen was drawn to the deep sound of the cello at the age of 7. Now 15, she describes music birthed from the string instrument as deep, elegant and pretty.

Austin High School senior Kelsey Fleming heard her first harp in the third grade. Her mother had to drag her to that symphony performance, but afterward she was hooked. It was then Kelsey who faced the task of convincing her parents to invest in her newfound love.

This Sunday, the Austin Symphony Orchestra presents “New Voices,” the final concert of their 53rd season. The performance features the winners of January’s Young Artist’s Competition: Chen, cellist, and Fleming, harpist.

“It’s an amazing feat,” said Austin Symphony Orchestra (ASO) Maestro Stephen Ramsey.

Chen and Fleming competed against about 20 young musicians from Southeastern Minnesota, Northern Iowa and Western Wisconsin in the first ever ASO competition.

“These are the two finest,” Ramsey said. “They are wonderful musicians — highly disciplined.”

The idea for the contest came about from a similar one the Dakota Valley Symphony Orchestra has held for three years, said Ramsey, who also conducts that orchestra.

Three judges including Ramsey facilitated the 10-minute auditions during which young musicians played solo pieces from memory.

Chen and Fleming completed near-perfect auditions, an accomplishment that Ramsey said is rare even with adult musicians.

“Now, they get to play with an orchestra,” he said. “We hope this pushes them along… it’s a special gift.”

Fleming began playing the harp in the fourth grade. Not many people played the instrument in the area, but she was able to find a teacher in between Austin and Albert Lea, she recalled. Now, she studies with St. Olaf College instructor Elinor Niemisto — traveling to Owatonna or Northfield weekly for lessons.

Though a member of only a tiny local community of harpists, Fleming said the overarching music community has been more than supportive.

Scholarships from the ASO have paid for her last three years of music lessons, she said. In addition, Fleming has joined the orchestra in performances since her ninth-grade year.

But even before high school, Fleming said, area musicians were making way for her and her harp.

Before entering middle school, Fleming contacted then Ellis Middle School orchestra director Phil Burkhart to see if there was room for a harpist. At the time, there wasn’t, but during Fleming’s tenure Burkhart made sure the orchestra’s selections called for a harp, she said.

Next year, Fleming plans to attend Northwestern University in Chicago or St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. as a harp major.

Chen grew up far from the Midwestern high school stage she will share Sunday.

Originally of Wuhan, China, Chen is in her first year of a scholarship-funded, three-year stint at Faribault’s Shattuck St. Mary’s.

“Cello is a very interesting instrument,” she said. “The instrument is like a friend to me. Music is like a language.”

In the U.S., Chen studies with University of Minnesota cellist Tanya Remenikova. She hopes to stay in the states to attend a professional music school after high school and then become a professional cellist.

“It was very exciting… kind of nervous, but I think I played well,” Chen said of her audition.

Chen will play Tchaikovsky’s “Rococo” solo at the “New Voices” concert this weekend.

“I’m honored,” she said of the opportunity.

Fleming will play Claude DeBussy’s “Dance Sacrée et profane” solo.

The rest of the concert will be “tuneful and pleasant,” Ramsey said, concluding on a salsa-meets-orchestra number, “Danzon #2,” by Mexican composer Marquez

“I would love everyone to hear these two musicians,” Ramsey said. “It’s a great time that will be held by all.”

Advance tickets to “New Voices” are available at Hy-Vee. They will also be available at the door and are $10 for adults; free for students and children accompanied by an adult.

“New Voices”

Austin Symphony Orchestra performance

When: 2 p.m., Sunday

Where: Knowlton Auditorium

301 Third St. NW

Tickets: $10 for adults, free for students and children accompanied by an adult.

Available at Hy-Vee and at the door.