INTERNATIONAL CLASSICAL MUSIC COMPETITION PIANO VIOLIN STRINGS OPERA WOODWINDS BRASS
2026 Winter Competition Winners - Woodwinds
1- Ruiqi Tan, CHINA Flute Group B
1- Mariana Filipa Tavares Pinto, PORTUGAL Flute Group D
1- Stella Ki, USA Clarinet Group C
She has been learning the flute since September 2023, with nearly two years of study experience to date. She has attended masterclasses by Professor Michel Bellavance, a flute teacher at the Haute École de Musique de Genève in Switzerland, and by Chen Qiling, a renowned flutist and former flute professor of the Central Conservatory of Music. She passed the ABRSM Flute Grade 5 in July 2024, achieved Distinction in the ABRSM Music Theory Grade 5 with excellent results in March 2025, and obtained Merit in the ABRSM Flute Grade 7 with good results in April 2025.Awards & Achievements
June 2024 Third Prize, Regional Competition, Hummingbird Music Festival, 9th China Youth Music Competition
July 2024 Passed ABRSM Flute Grade 5 Performance October 2024 Gold Prize, Preliminary Round, 15th South China Wind & Percussion Solo and Ensemble Performance
November 2024 Gold Prize, Preliminary Round, 5th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Youth Music Week
November 2024 Silver Prize, National Finals, 15th South China Wind & Percussion Solo and Ensemble Performance
January 2025 Silver Prize, National Finals, 5th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Youth Music Week
March 2025 Achieved Distinction in ABRSM Music Theory Grade 5
May 2025 Achieved Merit in ABRSM Flute Grade 7 Performance
May 2025 Gold Prize (National Demonstration Orchestra), National Finals, 18th China Cup Wind Music Performance
June 2025 First Prize & Child Prodigy Award, Netherlands International Music Competition
July 2025 First Prize, American Youth Classical International Music Competition
1- Stella Ki, USA Clarinet Group C
1- Mariana Filipa Tavares Pinto, PORTUGAL Flute Group D
1- Stella Ki, USA Clarinet Group C
I began playing the clarinet in fourth grade and have performed regularly in school band concerts and recitals. Alongside music, I train in Taekwondo and dance, which strengthen my discipline and stage presence. I enjoy sharing music with others and continue to grow through new challenges.
1- Mariana Filipa Tavares Pinto, PORTUGAL Flute Group D
1- Mariana Filipa Tavares Pinto, PORTUGAL Flute Group D
1- Mariana Filipa Tavares Pinto, PORTUGAL Flute Group D
Mariana was born in 2009, in Santa Maria da Feira. She began her studies at Banda de Ribeira de Fráguas with Eliana Ribeiro and later continued at the Conservatory of Music of Jobra with Andreia Soares. She currently attends the ISP Course at ART'J (Jobra Educação). She is a founding member of Alma Quintet. She participated in the Erasmus+ programme in Austria and attended masterclasses with various flutists. She has been awarded prizes in national and international competitions, both as a soloist and in chamber music. She has performed on national stages with many conductors. She has received the Excellence and Merit Awards.
1- Alicia Kim, USA Flute Group D
1- Alicia Kim, USA Flute Group D
1- Mariana Filipa Tavares Pinto, PORTUGAL Flute Group D
Alicia Kim is a junior at the Georgetown Day School and studies privately with David Lonkevich and Amanda Blaikie. She is a member of the American Youth Philharmonic in the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras program. Alicia won the 2026 Woodbridge Flute Choir Competition, won 1st place in the Korean Youth Honor Society Music Competition, playing a winners’ recital at Carnegie Hall (2025), and won a Best Performer Award and 1st place in the American Masters Music Awards (2025). Additional experience includes the Interlochen Advanced Flute Intensive (2024 and 2025) and the Mid-Atlantic High School Flute Choir.
1- Ryan Wang, USA Flute Group E
1- Alicia Kim, USA Flute Group D
1- Ryan Wang, USA Flute Group E
Ryan Wang, 17, is currently a Junior at Leigh High School in San Jose, California. He began playing the flute at the age of 7 with Ms. Li-Ling Chen. Since then, Ryan has participated in and won many international music competitions. He played first chair in the California Youth Orchestra Wind Symphony at age 12, co-principal chair in the California Youth Symphony Associate Orchestra at ages 13 and 14, 2nd chair principal in the California Youth Symphony Senior Orchestra at age 15, and is now 1st co-principal in the California Youth Symphony Senior Orchestra.
1- Yena Lee, USA Flute Group E
1- Alicia Kim, USA Flute Group D
1- Ryan Wang, USA Flute Group E
My name is Yena Lee, and I started playing the flute in fourth grade. In Korea, playing a classical instrument is not as common a hobby as it is in America, so I was not familiar with the flute. I first became interested after seeing my friend play; I was inspired by her performance and decided to start learning.However, I moved to a different school and stopped playing. A few years ago, after I moving to America, I saw many students participating in orchestra. This motivate me to playing flute again.Currently, I perform in ensembles and continue improving my skills
2025 Fall Competition Winners - Woodwinds
1- Owen Power, USA Flute Group B
1- Paulina Waszewska, POLAND Flute Group C
1- Paulina Waszewska, POLAND Flute Group C
Flutist Owen Power is a native of New York City. He is a 5th grader at Special Music School, where he began his flute studies with Diane Taublieb. Owen was winner of the 2024 New York Flute Club Young Musicans Contest (8 and under), 2025 Interlochen Junior Honors recital competition, and the Festerson Family Foundation merit scholarship at Interlochen. He has performed as guest artist with the Sherman Chamber Ensemble and in Merkin Hall (NYC). Owen is fortunate to have also worked with Susan Rotholz, Judith Mendenhall, Keith Bonner (Borealis Wind Quintet), and Brandon Patrick George (Imani Winds).
1- Paulina Waszewska, POLAND Flute Group C
1- Paulina Waszewska, POLAND Flute Group C
1- Paulina Waszewska, POLAND Flute Group C
My name is Paulina Waszewska. I’m 12 years old. I live in Poland, in Szczecinek. I’ve been learning to play the flute for 5 years. I’m a student of the Oskar Kolberg State Music School in Szczecinek. My teacher's name is Karolina Horodyńska-Batura. I play the flute solo, in the band, and in the school orchestra. I like play flute very much. I’m a laureate of many national and international music competitions.
1- ChiehHsin Chao, USA Clarinet Group C
1- ChiehHsin Chao, USA Clarinet Group C
1- ChiehHsin Chao, USA Clarinet Group C
ChiehHsin Chao, age 13, from Sunnyvale, California, began her clarinet studies in 6th grade under the guidance of Ms. Juliana Tzeng. She is currently a member of the Golden State Youth Orchestra (GSYO), where she continues to nurture her love for music through orchestral performance. She was selected to perform with the 2024–2025 All-State Honor Band. In 2025, ChiehHsin received the Gold Prize and the Remarkable Musicianship Special Prize at the Carl Reinecke International Music Competition.
1- Esther Moon, USA Clarinet Group E
1- ChiehHsin Chao, USA Clarinet Group C
1- ChiehHsin Chao, USA Clarinet Group C
Esther Moon is a junior at Branham High School and has been playing the clarinet since 7th grade. She plays in her school’s Wind Ensemble and Marching Band and serves as principal clarinetist of the Senior Orchestra in the California Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Esther was selected for the California All-State Honor Band in 2025 and the Santa Clara County Honor Band in both 2024 and 2025. She has won first-place awards in the San Francisco International Innovative Music Competition, the US International Open Music Competition, the US International Open Music Chamber Ensemble, and the Charleston International Music Competition. Outside of music, Esther enjoys crocheting and spending time with her friends and family.
2025 Spring Competition Winners - Woodwinds
1- Audrey Hu, USA Clarinet Group B
1- Sombhrom Das, INDIA Harmonica Group C
1- Evelina Erliha, USA Flute Group C
Hi! My name is Audrey Hu and I'm a 10 year old clarinet player. I started playing clarinet at around October 2024. I decided to start clarinet because I've always dreamed of playing a woodwind and I enjoyed the sound of the clarinet the best.
1- Evelina Erliha, USA Flute Group C
1- Sombhrom Das, INDIA Harmonica Group C
1- Evelina Erliha, USA Flute Group C
Evelina Erliha studies flute at Kaufman Special Music School, with renowned professor Valerie Holmes. Evelina plays in the Mannes school Chamber orchestra. She has performed in concerts in France, Norway, Latvia and America. She won 1st place in the "Little Mozarts International Music competition" and will perform at Carnegie Hall in May 2025.
1- Sombhrom Das, INDIA Harmonica Group C
1- Sombhrom Das, INDIA Harmonica Group C
1- Sombhrom Das, INDIA Harmonica Group C
Sombhrom das is a talented Harmonica(Mouth Organ) player in india.He was born into a backward weaver community(OBC). Sombhrom is always striving to bring Indian culture to the world. Distance to school, mouth organ teacher's house and financial problem did not stop him . His home is in a remote rural area. Achivment -India Book Of Records, Asia Book Of Records, World Book Of Records (London), Awarded HarmonicaUK ( ENGLAND) For 1st place in music compitition, Forever Super Hero Award , Global Kids Achievers Awad , The Anirban Sinha Award for Outstanding Talent Of Music from The Telegraph( award and scolership). Banga srestha sanman award, 3 rd posision in Bharat Sangskriti Utsab, Brahms Music Competitions (Silver Award) 2025 etc
1- Ryan Wang, USA Flute Group D
1- Noam Avidor Fuchs, ISREAL Clarinet Group D
1- Sombhrom Das, INDIA Harmonica Group C
Ryan Wang, 16, is a Sophomore at Leigh High School in San Jose, California. He began playing the flute at the age of 7 with Ms. Li-Ling Chen. Since then, Ryan has participated in and won many international music competitions, including 1st Prize winner of the San Francisco International Innovative Music Competition in 2024, 1st Prize winner of the Medici International Music Competition in 2024, 1st Prize winner of the 6th Glory International competition in 2024, and many more. He is currently the 2nd chair principal in the California Youth Symphony Senior Orchestra.
1- Noam Avidor Fuchs, ISREAL Clarinet Group D
1- Noam Avidor Fuchs, ISREAL Clarinet Group D
1- Noam Avidor Fuchs, ISREAL Clarinet Group D
Noam Avidor Fuchs is a clarinetist studying at the Ra’anana Music Center with Prof. Michael Gurfinkel. He performs with the Ra’anana Symphony and the Young Israel Philharmonic, and participated in ensembles in Israel and Belgium, including Musica Mundi (2024). A gifted musician recognized by Israel’s Ministry of Education, he has received an AICF scholarship since 2023. Noam won top prizes in Israeli and international competitions, including the Aviv Competition, "Music of the world", “London Young Musician,” “Manhattan Music Competition,” and the Bach International Competition.
1- Yuhe Liu, USA Clarinet Group D
1- Noam Avidor Fuchs, ISREAL Clarinet Group D
1- Noam Avidor Fuchs, ISREAL Clarinet Group D
Yuhe Liu is a 15 year old freshman from San Jose, California. He has been playing the clarinet for 5 years and received private instructions under Mr Fred Rast. Prior to this competition, he had won first prize in the Charleston international music competition and participated in the Santa Clara county honor band. Yuhe is also a member of the San Jose youth symphony chamber orchestra in the 2026 season.
1- Kayla Park, USA Oboe Group D
1- Kayla Park, USA Oboe Group D
1- Kayla Park, USA Oboe Group D
Kayla Park is currently 15 years old and is a freshman at Saint Francis High School. She has been playing oboe for three and a half years and is studying under Yeseul Park. She is part of GSYO and the Saint Francis Lancer Band. She has participated in the HCYO the previous year and will participate in the C’est Bon Music Summer Camp this summer. Over the past three years, she has won prizes at several different competitions such as the American Music Talent Competition and the US International Open Music Competition, Great Composer Competition the Music of Europe. Additionally, she is working towards her Girl Scout Gold Award.
2025 Winter Competition Winners - Woodwinds
1- Calyn Hsieh, USA Clarinet Group C
1- Nathan Seungwon Han, USA Clarinet Group D
1- Nathan Seungwon Han, USA Clarinet Group D
Calyn Hsieh is a talented twelve-year-old clarinetist with a passion for music. She has been playing the clarinet for two years. Calyn enjoys exploring a variety of genres, from classical to contemporary, and is constantly pushing herself to improve her technique. In addition to her love for music, Calyn actively participates in local music ensembles, where she continues to grow as a musician and share her passion with others.
1- Nathan Seungwon Han, USA Clarinet Group D
1- Nathan Seungwon Han, USA Clarinet Group D
1- Nathan Seungwon Han, USA Clarinet Group D
My name is Nathan Han and I am a Junior at Archbishop Mitty High School who has been playing the clarinet since the 6th grade. I am currently a member of the Silicon Valley Youth Orchestra and my school's Wind Ensemble as a clarinetist. My other hobbies include sports analysis and writing.
1- Ruoxi Yuan, POLAND Clarinet Group G
1- Nathan Seungwon Han, USA Clarinet Group D
1- Ruoxi Yuan, POLAND Clarinet Group G
Ruoxi Yuan was born in 1999. She had her first contact with the clarinet at the age of 8, studied with Mrs. Peiru Zhao from Central Conservatory of Music. Since 2010, she began to study with prestigious clarinetist, professor of clarinet at Central Conservatory of Music and artistic director of CCOM International Clarinet Festival, prof.Yuan Yuan. In 2011, she was admitted to Beijing Opera and Arts College. In 2017, she was auditioned into Central Conservatory of Music, continually studied with prof.Yuan Yuan to pursue her bachelor degree. Learn clarinet with Wei Fan in 2019. Entered in 2021 Akademia Muzyczna im. Krzysztofa Pendereckiego w Krakowie and following prof. Andrzej Godek and dr hab. Barbara Borowicz Continue learning
2024 Fall Competition Winners - Woodwinds
1- Samantha Ni, USA Clarinet Group C
1- Martyna, Magdalena Kruk, POLAND Flute Group D
1- Martyna, Magdalena Kruk, POLAND Flute Group D
Samantha Ni is an 8th grader at Stratford Preparatory and has been playing Clarinet for 2 years. She is currently a member of California Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Besides music, Samantha's interests include competing in track and field, drawing, and hanging out with her friends.
1- Martyna, Magdalena Kruk, POLAND Flute Group D
1- Martyna, Magdalena Kruk, POLAND Flute Group D
1- Martyna, Magdalena Kruk, POLAND Flute Group D
Martyna Kruk - 15-year-old flutist, student of the Mieczyslaw Karlowicz State Music School of the First and Second Degree in Katowice in Kornelia Nowak's flute class. She has won Grand Prix and main prizes at 30 national and international competitions, including those in Finland, Croatia, the USA and Poland. Her artistic achievements include solo and chamber music performances. She began learning to play the flute at the age of six at the Tadeusz Szeligowski High School of Music in Poznań in Justyna Pikulska's flute class. Martyna deepened her skills at the Tampere Flute Fest International Music Courses in Tampere, Finland, the Winter Music Academy in Luslawice, the International Master Classes in Bydgoszcz and the B. Halska International Music Interpretation Course in Nowy Sacz, under the guidance of outstanding professors, including: Karin Bonelli, Matvey Demin, Berten D'Hollander, Urszula Janik Lipinski and Agata Igras. Martyna is a several-time winner of the Prize of the City of Poznań, a scholarship holder of the Talent Bank. Since 2023, she has been a Scholarship Holder of the Able Program of the National Fund for Children. This year she was the winner of the 21st edition of the “Young Poland” Program of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage
1- Andrew Wi, USA Clarinet Group D
1- Andrew Wi, USA Clarinet Group D
1- Andrew Wi, USA Clarinet Group D
Andrew Wi is a Sophomore at Archbishop Mitty High School. He began playing clarinet in 7th grade and currently plays for his school’s Wind Ensemble and Pep Band. In middle school, Andrew was principal clarinet in both his junior high concert and jazz band. Andrew participated in CASMEC All-State Honor Band in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Outside of music, he is a member of his school’s speech and debate team. Andrew also plays tennis on his school’s Men’s Varsity Tennis Team and enjoys playing with his former junior high teammates as well.
1- Lydia Kang, USA Clarinet Group D
1- Andrew Wi, USA Clarinet Group D
1- Andrew Wi, USA Clarinet Group D
Lydia Kang is 16 years old and has been playing clarinet for five years. She has attended various competitions, and recently, she has won awards in Southwestern Youth Music Festival (SYMF), American Protégé Music Competitions, Concordia, Enkor Competition and more. She has been selected CASMEC All-State Band for 2023 and 2024 and the principal clarinetist in the South Coast Youth Symphony Orchestra. She also performed in the Junior Chamber Music Program and recently, her chamber group won the first prize at the Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition and traveled to perform at the Beethoven House in Germany.