Despy Karlas, a retired piano professor, was honored in October when the recipient of the first Despy Karlas Award was named at the Liszt-Garrison Music Festival and Competition in Baltimore.
The award, given to Lisa Stepanova of the Juilliard School of Music, consists of a paid solo recital appearance and piano master class hosted by the Hugh Hodgson School of Music in 2010-2011. The award in her honor is made possible by the support fund of the Despy Karlas Piano Professorship, currently held by Richard Zimdars of the Hugh Hodgson School of Music.