Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) music students claimed top honors in the Maricopa County Community College District’s 2025–2026 Artist of Promise Music Composition Competition, showcasing the creativity and range of PVCC’s music program. PVCC students – Michael Brutus, Apollo Brown-Cho, and Dominic Tuso – earned awards across classical, electronic music, and songwriting categories, including first and second place in songwriting and a second-place finish in electronic music.
The winning students will take the stage during the Artist of Promise Music Showcase on March 6 at Phoenix College, an annual district-wide event that highlights the originality, skill, and artistic voices of student musicians from across the Maricopa County Community College District.
Michael Brutus, who performs under the name “Brutus,” took first place in the songwriting category for his remix Judas, a song he originally wrote and later reimagined for the competition. Currently learning music theory, Brutus leaned heavily on PVCC instructor Bradford Knights, whose guidance was instrumental in shaping the composition and chord structure of Judas.
"I'm always impressed at the quality of songwriting from my students. I applaud Michael, Apollo, and Dominic for taking the time to not only craft wonderful music, but to complete the application process,” said instructor Bradford Knights. “Michael has a silky smooth voice and very well-rounded songwriting skills. Apollo has a great character in his voice and a solid grasp on the foundations of songwriting. Dominic has a mature and intricate approach to his unique songwriting. All three have very original sounding songs and I feel fortunate to have been able to experience working with them."
Brutus has been passionate about music his entire life and has been actively creating music since 2018. After exploring studies in computer science, marketing, and digital film, he enrolled at PVCC in Fall 2025 to pursue music with an emphasis on popular music, returning fully to what he considers his true creative calling.
In addition to music, Brutus has worked across a wide range of artistic mediums, including fashion, film, mixed media, acting, modeling, directing, and dance.
“I really love music, fashion, and film, and I’ve kind of crossed mediums throughout the years,” Brutus said. “I’ve been a director, model, and dancer—really finding ways to portray who I am.”
Winning first place has given Brutus renewed confidence in his creative direction. “I just really enjoy expressing myself through storytelling,” he said. “I like to create visual worlds in my mind and write stories. PVCC has helped me create music for those stories, and I’m just glad those stories are being received well.”
Additionally, Apollo Brown-Cho earned second place in songwriting for his original piece Witch Hunt. Brown-Cho grew up surrounded by music and has been writing casually since he first learned how to sing. It’s only in the last few years that Brown-Cho began writing seriously.
Now studying music at PVCC, Apollo credits his parents for their continued encouragement, along with the mentorship of Dr. Chris Scinto, Brett Reed, and Bradford Knights, whose passion for music has had a lasting impact on his development as a songwriter.
“This recognition is an amazing opportunity to meet other great artists,” Brown-Cho said. “I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone at the showcase.”
PVCC student Dominic Tuso earned second place in electronic music for his composition Time. After retiring, Tuso returned to PVCC to explore a wide range of interests, enrolling in courses spanning math, science, programming, and music.
His journey into music production began after taking sound design, which led him to continue through Music Theory 101, Mixing and Mastering, Sound Design II, Electronic Music I, and Songwriting. It was in the songwriting course where Time took shape.
“This recognition shows me that a guy like me – a bedroom producer composing in a MIDI editor by moving notes around on a grid – can write music that touches others,” Tuso said. “I don’t get a tune in my head and then put it into the music creation software. It’s a feedback loop of adjusting notes, listening, and refining. Hopefully someone finds inspiration in knowing they don’t need to play an instrument or sing to be able to compose music and write songs.”
“I couldn’t be prouder of Michael, Apollo, and Dominic,” said Dr. Chris Scinto, PVCC fine arts division chair and music program director. “Their music is bold, personal, and wildly creative, and this recognition is so well deserved. Seeing our students find their voices and be celebrated at the district level speaks to their dedication, creativity, and the strength of our program.”
For additional information on PVCC’s Music program, visit the website. To learn more about the upcoming showcase, click here.