Trio Azura—Duncan McDougall, violin, Yejin Hong, cello, and Yanfeng (Tony) Bai, piano—won the Grand Prize Medal in the 51st annual Fischoff Competition. They also won the Gold Medal in the Senior String Division, the Lift Every Voice Prize for the best performance of a work by a historically underrepresented composer within the chamber music world, and the Horszowski Trio Prize for Piano Trio, Senior Division. As Grand Prize winners, Trio Azura will participate in the Emilia Romagna Festival in Italy next summer.
Eder River Acosta, oboe, won the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Oboe Fellowship.
James Baik, cello, was selected as a winner of Young Concert Artists Susan Wadsworth International Auditions.
Yanfeng (Tony) Bai, piano, won the Grand Prize at the Valencia International Performing Arts Summer Festival.
Henry Bond, horn, won 4th Horn with the Pacific Symphony.
Isabella Brown, violin, won Assistant Principal Second Violin in the LA Philharmonic.
Andrea Caputo, clarinet, placed First at the Sándor Végh Competition in Budapest and will make his solo debut with the Budapest Festival Orchestra conducted by Iván Fischer in January 2025.
Wei-Lin Chen, violin, was selected as a winner of the Taiwan 36th Chimei Arts Award.
Gabriel Crist, piano, won the Grand Prize at the Malaga International Piano Festival in the 18+ category, and was selected as a winner of the Concerto Competition at the Malaga International Piano Festival and performed Schumann’s Piano Concerto with the Malaga Symphony Orchestra.
Toby Grace, percussion, won Section Percussion with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Danielle Kim, flute, won First Place at the Artist Presentation Society Competition in St. Louis, MO. She also performed the Reinecke Flute Concerto with the Flint Symphony Orchestra in March 2023, after winning first place at the William C. Byrd Young Artist Competition in 2022.
Jeehoon Kim, oboe, was selected as a winner in the Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition.
SoJung Kim, bass, won the position of Associate Principal Bass in the San Francisco Ballet.
Yvette Kraft, violin, won both concerto competitions at the 2024 Aspen Music Festival and School this summer. She performed with the Aspen Conducting Academy Orchestra in July and will return for her second concerto appearance next summer.
Chi-Chun (Aurora) Kuo, horn, won the Brass Category at the 2024 Pasadena Showcase Instrumental Competition.
Vivian Kukiel, violin, won Section Violin in the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Ann Kuo, flute, placed first at the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition, and will return in April 2024 for a solo chamber recital and concerto performance with the Symphony Orchestra and conductor Arturo Gonzalez.
Emma Lee ‘23, cello, won section cello in the Pacific Symphony.
Katie Liu (’22), viola, joins the Seattle Symphony as Associate Principal Viola in fall 2024.
Sze Hei (Victor) Lee, double bass, won a Fellowship with the Hyogo Performing Arts Center Orchestra.
Yu-Wen (Lucy) Lu, violin, was selected as a winner of the Taiwan 36th Chimei Arts Award.
Shengyu Meng, cello, won the Duo Competition at the Music Academy of the West Summer Festival 2024.
Ian Mertes, trumpet, won second trumpet with the Atlanta Symphony.
Jason Moon, violin, won the 2024 Hellam Young Artist Competition in Springfield, MO, and the 2024 Burbank Philharmonic Orchestra Hennings-Fischer Young Artist Competition. He was also awarded the 2024 Rosen Prize from the Colburn School, given each year to a Conservatory violinist who demonstrates not only excellent musicianship but exceptional citizenry in the Colburn community.
Gracie Potter, trombone, won Principal Trombone in the Richmond Symphony.
Jay Shankar, clarinet, won Assistant Principal and Eb Clarinet in the Milwaukee Symphony.
Emily Shehi, violin, won Section Violin (Second) in the LA Philharmonic.
Elvin Schlanger, flute, won second prize at the National Flute Association, Young Artist Competition, and was a finalist in the Sphinx Orchestra Partners Audition.
Elvin Schlanger, flute, won 3rd Flute/Piccolo in the Las Vegas Philharmonic.
Diego Stine (’24), tuba, won the tuba audition at the US Air Force Band of the Golden West and won a position with the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in Washington, D.C.
Yushin (Galaxy) Su, clarinet, won Second Clarinet with the San Francisco Symphony.
Benett Tsai, cello, was selected as a winner of Young Concert Artists Susan Wadsworth International Auditions.
Yu-Ping Tsai, violin, won Associate Concertmaster with the Jacksonville Symphony.
Ray Ushikubo, piano, won third prize at the New York Concert Artists Competition. He will also appear as a violin soloist with the LA Phil in September 2024 as part of their Neighborhood Concert at Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA).
Christy Wu, piano, won first prize at the Valencia International Performing Arts Summer Festival, as well as the Grand Prize at the Malaga International Piano Festival in the 18+ category.
Emily Wu, piano, was selected as a winner of the Concerto Competition at the Malaga International Piano Festival and performed Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Malaga Symphony Orchestra.
Tianlu (Jerry) Xu ‘23, cello, won section cello in the Pacific Symphony.
Ryota Yamazaki, piano, won third prize at the Ferrusccio Busoni 64th International Piano Competition.
Ye (Melody) Yuan, violin, won Section Violin in the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Trio de Ángeles—Esme Arias-Kim, violin, Angela Rose Padula, cello, and Caden Lin, piano—won the Horszowski Trio Prize for Piano Trio (Junior Division) at the 51st Annual Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. The Willow Quartet—James Birch, violin, Henry Woodruff, viola, Shinah (Sheena) Youn, cello and David Choi, piano—advanced to the quarter-finals.
James Birch, violin, won First Place in the Artiste Instrumental category of the Southern California Philharmonic Young Artists Competition.
James Birch, violin, Henry Woodruff, viola, Sheena Youn, cello, and David Choi, piano, won their division in the 2024 Busan International Chamber Music Competition.
Joshua Ho, harp, won Second Prize at the 2024 Musical International Grand Prix (Teen Strings category) and received the Valeria Finzi Scholarship.
Hannah Cho, oboe, was accepted to the prestigious NY02 program. She was also selected to be a finalist and bronze medal winner in the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Annual Young Artist Competition, won first place in the California Senior Woodwind Performance Competition, and was selected to be a 2023–24 Fellow in From the Top’s Learning and Media Lab.
David Choi, piano, won First Prize in the Palm Beach Atlantic Young Artist Competition. He was also a 2024 YoungArts Award winner in Classical Music and piano.
Lillian Feng, piano, is a 2024 YoungArts Award winner in Classical Piano.
Henry Woodruff, viola, won First Place in the junior division of the Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation Competition in Santa Barbara, California. He received scholarship support and will attend the Chamber Music Northwest Festival in Portland, Oregon; the Morningside Music Bridge Program in Boston; and the Moritzburg Festival in Germany.
Ziqi (Flavia) Jin, cello, won a scholarship to participate in the 28th Morningside Music Bridge Program, and will perform at the New England Conservatory of Music in July 2024.
Trang Linh (Sicilyn) Le, piano, won First Prize in the solo category of the 2024 Elaine and Andrew Daniluk Florida Young Artists International Piano Competition and received the “Pianist Mary Lou Wesley Krosnick” award for a classical work.
Esme Arias-Kim, violin, gave debut solo performances with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in May, performing Chausson’s Poème as winner of the Crain-Maling Young Artist Competition. She also gave a live broadcast solo recital on the program “Introductions” on WFMT , Chicago’s classical radio station, in June 1, and performed Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with the Southern California Philharmonic as First place winner of their Young Artist Competition in the Virtuoso Category.
Caden Lin, piano, won First Prize in the Marine Band Concerto Competition in Washington DC.
Eiline Tai, cello, is a 2024 YoungArts Award winner in Classical Music and Violincello.
Kayden Kelly, piano, won First Place in the 2023 Nina Simone Competition (Senior Division) and performed at the 2024 Art of the Piano Festival, was a Junior Artist at the 2023 Junior Cliburn Competition and Festival, performed as a soloist with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and gave solo piano performances at the Salon de Virtuosi in New York and the Aspen Music Festival.
Shinah (Sheena) Youn, cello, won First Place in the solo category of the 10th Camerata Artists International Competition.
Nathaniel Yue, cello, won first prize in the Senior Division of the Adelphi Orchestra Young Artist Competition. He is also a 2024 Young Arts Award winner in Classical Music.
This year’s 2023-24 Dance Academy students will continue their training at top dance programs nationally and internationally, including:
Chloe Oronoz, dance, is currently performing George Balanchine’s Serenade with LA Ballet.
Holly Lacey, violin, was the Grand Prize Finalist in the Classical Instrumental category of the Music Center’s 2024 Spotlight Awards. Community School students Jesse Hu, Vinay Sundar, and Kyle Yeung and Music Academy students Kailey Yun, Ruolin (Cindy) Jia, and Sophie Leung were honored as Semi-Finalists.
Jack Lieberman, alto saxophone, was the Grand Prize Finalist in the Contemporary Instrumental category of the Music Center’s 2024 Spotlight Awards. Community School students Charles French, Joaquin Garde, Jordan Klein, Taylor Lee, Ian Shin, Saoirse Sipes, Luciano Soriano, Kai Spatzier, and Nathan Tatsuta were honored as Semi-Finalists.
The Corda Quartet—Andres Engleman, violin, Sarah Yang, violin, Joshua Chae, viola and Irene Choung, cello—advanced to the quarter-finals of the 51st Annual Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition.
Downbeat Magazine’s 47th Annual Student Music Awards recognized Community School jazz students, led by Lee Secard, Chair, Colburn Jazz Workshop for the following accomplishments:
Samantha Adams-Blanco, cello, will be attending San Francisco Conservatory of Music on a full scholarship for Bachelor of Music. She was also a finalist in the Coltman Competition.
Dominic An, violin, will play with MUSE/IQUE with conductor Rachael Worby at the Huntington Library and the Skirball Cultural Center. He was also a State Finalist in the VOCE Competition.
Ava Benayoun, cello, was named Principal Cello of WestSide Youth Orchestra and Principal Cello of Beverly Hills High School Chamber Orchestra.
Kai Canton, piano, was a prize winner in the Southern California Junior Bach Festival.
Joshua Chae, viola, received Second Place in the VOCE Competition, Chamber Category.
Raymond Cai, piano, was a prize winner in the Southern California Junior Bach Festival.
Ellie Chen, piano, was a prize winner in the Southern California Junior Bach Festival.
Irene Choung, cello, received Second Place in the VOCE Competition, Chamber Category.
Henry Chung, voice, will be attending the Tanglewood Institute.
Scarlett Cohan, piano, received First Place in the Elite International Music Competition and was invited to play at Carnegie in April.
Chloe Dahm, piano, received First Place in the Elite International Music Competition and was invited to perform in Carnegie Hall.
Andrés Englemanc, violin, made it into the finals of VOCE Music Teachers of California Competition.
Alexander Fan, double bass, was nominated for a Disney Hall solo performance with LA Youth Philharmonic Summer 2026.
Nathan Fenstad, piano, was a prize winner in the Southern California Junior Bach Festival.
Isaac Fujikawa, piano, won Second Prize in the CAPMT District III 2024 Sonata/Sonatina Competition.
Isaac Fujikawa, piano, received first prize in Open Category at the Southern Youth Music Festival.
Reese Fujikawa, piano, was a prize winner in the Southern California Junior Bach Festival.
Collin Gee, cello, is a State Finalist in the VOCE Competition.
Sophia Glicklich, piano, received First Place in the Elite International Music Competition and was invited to perform in Carnegie Hall.
Caden Guo, piano, was a prize winner in the Southern California Junior Bach Festival.
Vivienne Harutunyan, piano, was a prize winner in the Southern California Junior Bach Festival.
Will Hsieh, piano, received an Honorable Mention in the CAPMT Honors Competition.
Madalena Hong, piano, received First Place in the Elite International Music Competition and was invited to perform in Carnegie Hall.
Allie Hunnius, bassoon, has chosen to attend Brown University for the 2024-25 academic year.
Dagmar Huskey, piano, received First Place in the Elite International Music Competition and was invited to perform in Carnegie Hall.
Kento Ishikawa, piano, performed Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 (3rd movement) with the LA Youth Philharmonic. He was also a finalist in the Nashville International Chopin Piano Competition.
Kento Ishikawa, piano, is a finalist in the Kaufman International Youth Competition in New York City.
Jaden Kim, viola, made the 2024 California High School All State Orchestra.
Kayla Kim, viola, made the 2024 California High School All State Orchestra.
Julia Kleindorfer, cello, received First Prize in the Charleston International Music Competition.
Elysian Kloepfer, piano, received Honorable Mention for the CAPMT Contemporary Competition.
Aaron Ko, piano, received second prize in Open Category at the Southern Youth Music Festival.
Ryusei Kobayashi, piano, received First Place in Piano Teacher National Association of Japan (PTNA) Online Etude Competition.
Noah LaPorte, double bass, was accepted into NYO2 for Summer 2024.
Skyler Lee, violin, received first prize in the 13th annual Henry Schwab Violin and Viola Competition.
Vienna Lee, piano, received First Place in the Elite International Music Competition and was invited to perform in Carnegie Hall.
Ashley Li, cello, was a winner in the Junior Cello category of the Junior Bach Festival.
Audrey Li, piano, received First Place in the CAPMT Honors Competition.
Sophia Li, piano, received an Honorable Mention in the CAPMT Honors Competition.
Cosmo Lieberman, jazz saxophone, performed with the 2023 Carnegie Hall National Youth Orchestra Jazz Ensemble, as well as the 2023 Monterey Jazz Festival Next Generation Big Band.
Kai Lindsey, violin, received 3rd place in VOCE competition in Chamber category and was a finalist in the Coltman Competition.
Nathan Liu, piano, was a prize winner in the Southern California Junior Bach Festival.
Emma Liu, violin, performed alongside The Sinfonietta at the Hollywood Bowl LIVE for Barbie the Movie in Concert.
Richard Liu, piano, received first prize in IAMPT Spring Grand concours international and performed in the gala taking place at SOKA.
Robison Louie, cello, received the gold medal in the Violoncello Senior 2023 Bach Complete Works Audition.
Elizabeth Lu, piano, received Second Place in the CAPMT Honors Competition.
Hannah Ma, piano, received Third Place in the CAPMT Honors Competition.
Joseph Margolis, cello, is a State Finalist in the VOCE Competition.
Ailis Nguyen, piano, was a prize winner in the Southern California Junior Bach Festival. She was also awarded First Place in Division 2 of the International Association of Professional Music Teachers – IAPMT 2024 Grand Prix, and was also awarded Second Place in Category B of the California Association for Professional Music Teachers Concerto Competition.
Amanda Nova, piano, won First Place in the MTAC Los Angeles County Branch Dozen Charitable Trust fund Solo Music Scholarship Competition.
Nathan Ortiz, cello, will be attending Idyllwild Summer 2024.
James Park, violin, won Second Prize in Best Mozart Performance, Trio Dolce, at Great Composers Competition 2024.
Joanne Park, clarinet, made the 2024 California All State Ensemble for Band and Southern California School Band & Orchestra Honors Band.
Andrew Peng, violin, was the First Prize winner for the 2024 Baroque Music Competition, as well as the First Prize winner for the King’s Peak Music Competition (Group B). He also received first prize in the United Stars Music Competition, the USA Music Composition International Competition, and the Charleston International Music Competition (19th Century Music). Andrew was a major prize winner in the Satori Summer Music Festival, receiving the grand prize special award in the 9 and Under Category, as well as first prize in the Strings Open Category and Strings Qualified Category.
Aviv Pilipski, viola, received Third Place in VOCE competition in Chamber Category and was a finalist in the Coltman Competition.
Karolina Protsenko, violin, was a soloist with Desert Symphony at McCallum Theater in Palm Desert. She also performed Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor with Orchestra Nova Los Angeles.
Karolina Protsenko, violin, was a Special Guest Performer at Los Angeles Suzuki Institute.
Mina Ree, violin, won First Prize in the 2024 Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition.
Mina Ree, piano, earned an Honorable Mention in the CAPMT District III 2024 Sonata/Sonatina Competition, as well as 1st place in Grand International Spring competition from IAPMT.
Oooju Robinson, cello, earned the Strings Grand Prize for ages 16-19 at the Satori Summer Festival Competition, as well as the JinYu Virtuoso Scholarship.
Shinaya Shin, piano, won First Prize at the 3rd Concordia Music Competition.
Mia Safdie, piano, received First Place in the Elite International Music Competition and was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in April.
Samina Schultz, Music Theory, received third prize in the Charleston International Music Competition (19th Century Music).
Cordelia Scoville, piano, received award in Southern California Jr. Bach Festival.
Yuhwan Shin, trumpet, made the 2024 California All State Ensemble for Band and Southern California School Band & Orchestra Honors Band.
Alexander Si, piano, received first place in Sonata Category at the Southern Youth Music Festival.
Luciano Soriano, jazz trombone, performed with the 2023 Monterey Jazz Festival Next Generation Big Band.
Harrison Suh, piano, received second place in the Elite International Music Competition and was invited to perform in Carnegie Hall.
Vinay Sundar, bassoon, has chosen to attend The Juilliard School for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Lev Taira, violin, made it into the finals of VOCE Music Teachers of California Competition.
Kaito le Tenoux, piano, received first prize in the International Association of Professional Music Teachers’ US Grand Concours International.
Liam Thomas, violin, won First Prize in the Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition and was invited to perform at the Musikverein in Vienna. He also won Second Prize in Best Mozart Performance, Trio Dolce, at Great Composers Competition 2024 and received first prize in the San Francisco Young Artist International Music Competition.
Lucy Tsai, piano, received First Place in the Elite International Music Competition and was invited to perform in Carnegie Hall.
Rivenka Tomasian, piano, was a prize winner in the Southern California Junior Bach Festival.
Lina Toyne, piano, was a prize winner in the Southern California Junior Bach Festival.
Bryan Tseng, cello, was a winner of the Los Angeles Cello Annual Scholarship audition.
Max Von Der Ohe, trumpet, won a seat in the All-State Golden Band.
Alexander Wang, piano, won First Prize in the CAPMT Honors Competition.
Richard Wang, piano, was a prize winner in the Southern California Junior Bach Festival.
Kyra Williams, piano, received First Place in the Elite International Music Competition and was invited to perform in April at Carnegie Hall.
Margaret May Wise, piano, received First Place in the CAPMT Honors Competition.
Matisse Wittman-McChesney, piano, received First Place in the Elite International Music Competition and was invited to perform in Carnegie Hall.
Jeah Won, cello, received First Place in the Cello A category of the 2024 Amici Solo Competition.
Rachel Won, violin, received First Place in the Concordia Music Competition and Third Place in the VOCE competition in Chamber Category. She also received first prize and the Exceptional Performance Award in the Charleston International Music Competition (19th Century Music).
Rachel Won, violin, won First Place in the ASTA LA Solo Competition, Junior 2 Category, advancing to state finals, as well as First Place Alternate in the MTAC VOCE State Finals.
Evelyn Wu, voice, won Second Place in the Charleston International Music Competition, Vocal Division.
John Wu, violin, won Second Place at the ASTA LA Solo Competition, Junior 1 Category, advancing to the state finals.
John Wu, violin, is a State Finalist in the VOCE Competition.
Iris Xiong, violin, won Second Prize in Best Mozart Performance, Trio Dolce, at Great Composers Competition 2024.
Kairui Xu, oboe, made it into the All-State Honor Band.
Jason Yang, piano, earned an Honorable Mention the MTAC Los Angeles County Branch Dozen Charitable Trust fund Solo Music Scholarship Competition.
Sarah Yang, violin, received Second Place in the VOCE competition in Chamber Category.
Simon Yao, piano, is a State Finalist in the VOCE Competition.
Hayley Yoon, clarinet, made the 2024 California All Southern School Band & Orchestra Honors Band.
Leo Zang, composition, won the Award of Excellence in the Music Composition category with his original composition “Dream” at the 12th School District PTA Reflection Program.
Ashlyn Zheng , piano, came in First Place at the CAPMT District III 2024 Sonata/Sonatina Competition (category A).
Charlie Zhong, piano, was a winner at Southern California Junior Bach Festival in Los Angeles County Branch.
Isabella Zhou, violin, received first prize of $1,000 for the Henry Schwab Violin and Viola Competition.
Isabella Zhou, violin, won the Junior Violin Division in the MTAC VOCE Competition and moved on to the State Finals.
Lucas Zhou, piano, performed in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall as a winner of the 2023 New York Golden Classical Music Awards.
Lucas Zhou, piano, earned an Honorable Mention at the CAPMT District III 2024 Sonata/Sonatina Competition (category A).
Bram Ziomek, piano, was a winner at Southern California Junior Bach Festival in Los Angeles County Branch. He also received an honorable mention in the California Division of the 2023 Music Teachers National Association Composition Competition.
Bram Ziomek, piano, won First Prize in the MTAC Los Angeles County Branch Dozen Charitable Trust fund Solo Music Scholarship Competition, as well as a prize in the Southern California Junior Bach Festival.