August 28, 2024

[Vancouver, WA. August 28, 2024] –The nine finalists for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA’s 30th Young Artist Competition were announced today by VSO’s CEO, Dr. Igor Shakhman. The final round of the competition, which is free and open to the public, will take place on October 13, 2024 at 2 PM (PT) at First Presbyterian Church in Vancouver, WA, USA.

Continuing the exciting competition format of past years, nine of the nation’s finest young musicians will compete in three categories: piano, strings, and winds/brass. Gold Medal winners in each category will receive the opportunity to perform with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra on January 25 and 26, 2025 at Skyview Concert Hall. Additionally, all finalists will receive generous cash prizes. Gold Medalists will be awarded $5,000 each; Silver Medalists, $2,000 each; Bronze Medalists, $1,000 each.

An extraordinary panel of renowned performers and educators will judge the final round, including:

Zuill Bailey: GRAMMY Award-winning cello virtuoso, Artistic Director of several major music festivals in the US including Sitka Summer Music Festival, and a professor of Cello at UT El Paso.
Dr. Igal Kesselman: Internationally renowned piano educator, Director of Lucy Moses School in NYC, Music Director of Special Music School and Artistic Director of Kaufman Music Center International Piano Competition.
Dr. Julia Hwakyu Lee: Award-winning solo and chamber pianist, faculty at the University of Portland and Portland State University, previous faculty at Southern Utah University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Dr. Igor Shakhman: Principal Clarinetist and Chief Executive Officer of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Co-founder of the Vancouver USA Arts and Music Festival and VSO Chamber Music Series. Former Clarinet Faculty of the University of Portland and Willamette University.
Dr. Stephen Shepherd: VSO Associate Concertmaster, Portland Columbia Symphony Associate Concertmaster, former musician with Westmoreland, Wheeling, and Cedar Rapids symphonies, and Vice Principal of Portland’s Roosevelt High School.

What: VSO 30th Annual Young Artist Competition Finals
When: October 13, 2024 at 2 PM (PT)
Where: First Presbyterian, Church 4300 Main St., Vancouver, WA, 98663
Tickets: This event is free and open to the public. Please reserve your seat at vancouversymphony.org as seating is limited.

A piano will be provided for the event by Michelle’s Piano Co. This competition is made possible through the generous support of Paul Christensen.

2024 Finalists
Piano
Olivia Larco (age 15), Piano; Westridge School, Pasadena, CA performing Concerto in E Minor, Op. 11 movt 1 by Frédéric Chopin
Alexander Liu (age 13), Piano; Millburn Middle School, Millburn, NJ performing Piano Concerto No. 21 In C Major K467 I Allegro Maestoso
by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Meining Wu (age 15), Piano; Valley Christian High School, San Jose, CA performing Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major op. 26: I. Andante – Allegro by Sergei Prokofiev

Strings
Mio Imai (age 14), Violin; Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School, West Chester, PA performing Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso Op. 28 by Camille Saint-Saëns
Jonathan Okseniuk (age 18), Violin; Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia, PA performing Violin Concerto in A minor Op.53 movt 1 by Antonín Leopold Dvořák
Lauren Yoon (age 16), Violin; Academy of the Holy Angels, Demarest, NJ performing Violin Concerto in D Major Op.35 movt 1 by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Brass/Woodwinds
Hannah Cho (age 17), Oboe; Pacific Academy, Irvine, CA performing Oboe Concertino, Op. 110 1st, 2nd, 3rd movts by Kalliwoda, Johann Wenzel
Sophie Dong (age 14), Flute; Diamond Bar High School, Diamond Bar, CA performing Concertino for Flute, Op. 107 by Cécile Chaminade
Xueheng Wang (age 15), Alto Saxophone; Newport High School, Bellevue, WA performing Alto Saxophone Concerto in E-flat, Op. 109 by Alexander Glazunov

About The VSO
The VSO, now in its 46th season, has been a cornerstone of Southwest Washington's arts community, providing symphonic music of the highest caliber in live performances and through music education in schools, concert halls, and throughout the community. For more information, please visit vancouversymphony.org.

About our Sponsors
The VSO is generously supported by individual donors, The M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust, Realvest Foundation, Oregon Public Broadcasting, AC Hotel by Marriott, United Grain Corporation, Columbia Credit Union, All Classical Radio, Gravitate, Dick Hannah Dealerships, The Columbian, Michelle’s Piano Co., Pacific Office Automation, Steinway & Sons Portland, and The VIC.

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THE VANCOUVER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
PO BOX 525 VANCOUVER, WA 98666 PHONE 360-735-7278 FAX 360-906-0355
www.vancouversymphony.org