Elizabeth Lutgen, a 12-year-old, self-taught violinist, was announced as the winner of this year’s “Chautauqua Got Talent” competition Monday. It was the first time in the competition’s eight-year history that a non-vocalist was crowned champion. P-J photo by Gavin Paterniti

For the first time in its eight-year history, the “Chautauqua’s Got Talent” competition has crowned an instrumentalist as its champion.

On Monday, the annual talent show hosted its final round of competition at The Spire Theater , where Elizabeth Lutgen, a 12-year-old, self-taught violinist of two-and-a-half years, was announced as the winner of the 2017 installation.

“I can’t believe this is happening right now; it doesn’t even seem real,” Lutgen said after the final announcement was made. “I’d heard about ‘Chautauqua’s Got Talent’ from a friend and just figured I’d go in for an audition, and now here I am. I’m actually very proud of myself for how far I’ve come since I started teaching myself (violin) in fifth grade. I appreciate my family and everyone else who voted for me, I can’t express how much that means.”

Lutgen was one of eight finalists vying for the top slot in this year’s contest. The other contestants to perform Monday were: Ryan Buzzetto, guitarist-vocalist; Ayrianna Brady, vocalist; Grace Anderson, dancer; the duo of Emma Anderson and Annika Spitzer, vocalists; Miranda Wilcox, pianist-vocalist; Deryck Brown, dancer; and Angel Rodriguez, vocalist.

Ylsa Maj, co-owner of The Spire Theater and Big Time Productions, and co-producer of “Chautauqua’s Got Talent,” said this year’s competition was unparalleled in several ways.

“I am thrilled with the results this year, and the fact that this is the first time we’ve had an instrumentalist win,” Maj said. “That is very cool for us because I think a lot of people think that if you’re not a singer you’re not going to make it far in the competition; and Elizabeth proved them wrong. I think the rest of the production team agrees that this is very good movement for the competition as a whole, to show that we want to nurture all different types of talent.

“The camaraderie was unlike it’s ever been before, also. The contestants bonded, new friendships were formed, people were performing together and going to each other’s houses and working on songs together. There was a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff that had never happened before and it was a really emotional, heartwarming experience for all of us. We’re all kind of sad to see it be done.”

As the winner, Lutgen is the recipient of a cash prize of $800 and a free monthly dinner at Wing City Grille in Lakewood.

The Spire Theater is located at 317 E. Third St. in Jamestown. For more information on the annual “Chautauqua’s Got Talent” competition, contact Angelo Giuffre at 450-7357, or by email at jamestownspire@gmail.com. Auditions for next year’s competition will be held in February.