By Catey Sullivan

At 13, Ashima Scripp was about a decade older than most professional musicians are when they first start learning their art.

But the 2004 recipient of a master's degree in cello performance from Evanston's Northwestern University seems to have caught up with her peers. A cello instructor who teaches in Cincinnati and Boston as well as Niles West, Deerfield and Highland Park high schools, Scripp is one of two winners in this year's Skokie Valley Symphony Young Artist Showcase.

In a rare tie, violinist Ayane Kozasa was also named a first-place winner

In addition to a $1,000 prize, the honor affords both musicians the opportunity to perform with the Skokie Valley Symphony. Audiences can hear Scripp's interpretation of 19th century composer Max Bruch's "Kol Nedrei: Adagio on Hebrew Melodies," as well as David Popper's "Hungarian Rhapsody" in a concert Sunday in Skokie.

Although her mother was a cello teacher, Scripp wasn't initially drawn to the instrument. She studied voice and piano from preschool on, but her involvement with the cello began almost as a dare.

"I was in middle school, and a couple of kids wanted to form a string ensemble. They asked if anyone knew how to play cello. I said I didn't but I bet I could figure it out," Scripp recalled.

"I didn't have to go out and buy a cello because we already had one. So I just started kind of fooling around with it. I would come home after school and ask my mom, 'Is this how you finger this?' or 'Is this how you play this?' "

Scripp went to an arts high school near her Boston home with the intent of majoring in theater. She changed her mind sophomore year, and decided to major in visual arts. She changed her mind again as a junior, majoring in cello performance. It was then, at 16, that she got her first official cello instructor.

"I think when you start very young, there is a certain culture you follow," she said. "I was outside of that, and I think in a lot of ways, that helped me. The kids around me were incredibly competitive -- really cutthroat. I was playing for fun, and that really helped me in the beginning.

"I didn't expect to beat anyone because I knew that was unreasonable given how late I'd started. Now, I realize that winning in competitions is possible, so of course I want to win. If there is someone whose playing that is really excellent, I will try to be get better than them, but it's not this negative thing. It's not that I want to beat them down, it's because I admire other musicians and they inspire me to do better."

Her work has drawn praise and scholarships from numerous quarters.

"Ashima played a comparatively slow piece in the competition, and you'd think that might go against her," said Maestro Dan Boico, conductor for the Skokie Valley Symphony. "The beauty was in her approach. The way she dealt with rhythms and boundaries was impeccable and beautiful. Technically, she was superb."

Scripp also won the Mittenthal Scholarship, including a monetary award as well as a chance to perform with the Skokie Valley Symphony next season.

"The Mittenthal comes from an endowment given by the wife of a musician who passed away," said Lee Malmed, who has overseen the Young Artist Showcase with his wife, Bonnie, for almost 20 years.

"I love seeing talented young musicians play," Malmed said. "I love knowing that there is a future in classical future. One of the best things the Skokie orchestra does is to ensure that young people have a chance to grow and develop as musicians."

The Skokie Valley Symphony Orchestra will present its Young Artist Showcase at 4 p.m. Sunday at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Tickets are $20-$34 or $8 for students 17 and younger. Call (847) 673-6300