2024 Winners Biographies

Jessie, age 10, is a talented young musician who attends Challenger School in San Jose and is currently in the 5th grade. She first picked up the violin at the age of 6 and embarked on her musical journey. With dedication and hard work Jessie quickly progressed, and at the age of 9 began studying in San Francisco Conservatory Pre-College with William Barbini and currently studies with Amy Beth Horman. Jessie is proficient in playing both piano and violin and has won numerous competitions with both instruments, including First Place in piano in the United States Open Music Competition (USOMC), Second Place in violin in the USOMC, Second Place in violin in the American Music Talent Competition, and many more. Apart from music, Jessie enjoys many other hobbies that empower her to further appreciate the beauty of life, such as dancing, vocal, golf, reading, writing essays, studying science, drawing, and traveling. She has been traveling and studying music from different musicians from different countries, including France, Germany, Canada, and Japan.

Unyew (age 9), a student at Saratoga Elementary School, began studying the violin at the age of four. She continues her studies with Sunghee Park and is currently under the direction of Zhao Wei. In 2021, Unyew won 1st place in the American Protégé, leading her to perform at Carnegie Hall in 2022. She qualified for the national competition after securing second place at the state level of the OPUS Music Competition. Moreover, Unyew's accolades include 1st prize in the USIMC 2023 and 2024 KAMSA Competition. Beyond her solo pursuits, Unyew's passion for music extends to the community, where she actively shares her talent with seniors through Bridges in Music.

Sonya Moomaw is a 13-year-old, eighth grader at The School for Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Sonya has won several competitions including the Music Teachers National Association Junior Strings Competition in 2023 and the Cleveland Cello Society Scholarship Competition’s Junior Division in 2022. In January of 2024, she was featured on NPR’s “From the Top”.  She recently placed third in the 27th Annual National Sphinx Competition in the Junior Division. In 2023, she was awarded the Norman E. Johns Chair Award from the Multicultural Awareness Council of the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra. At age eight, Sonya made her orchestral debut with the University of Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Since then, she has had the honor of performing concertos with the Seven Hills Symphony Orchestra, the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra, the New Albany Symphony, and the Blue Ash/Montgomery Symphony Orchestra. She has been studying cello with Dr. Sarah Kim for the last ten years.

Sydney is a 13 year-old violinist from Sausalito CA who is passionate about creating beautiful sounds on her instrument to tell a story and express herself. Sydney began violin at age 3 and studies with Elbert Tsai at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Sydney had her solo debut with the Mill Valley Philharmonic in February 2024, and will be soloing with the Marin Symphony Youth Orchestra (MSYO) in May. She has received top prizes in competitions such as KAMSA, Pacific Music Society, ENKOR, Marin Music Chest, and U.S. Open Music Competition. Sydney is the Co-Concertmaster of the MSYO and is the violinist for the Onde Trio which won second prize at ENKOR. Sydney has attended prestigious summer programs including Center Stage Strings and Sphinx Performance Academy, and will be attending Music@Menlo this summer. Outside of violin, Sydney enjoys painting, embroidery, math, and singing in her school’s musical.

Lisa Saito,12, began violin lessons at 3 and piano lessons at 4 and now studies violin with Ms. Robin Sharp. At age 10, Lisa made her orchestral debut with the Stanford Summer Symphony, conducted by Mr. Paul Phillips. In addition, she won the 2022 and 2023 Golden State Youth Orchestra (GSYO) Concerto Competition, performing with GSYO Senior Symphony under Dr. Yun Song Tay in 2022. Lisa is the youngest member of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra and also was the youngest member of the GSYO Senior Symphony and participated in their 2022 European Tour. She has won several violin awards, including 1st place in the 2023 KAMSA, 2nd place in the Music International Grand Prix 2021,and the 2022 USOMC and selected the Junior Bach Festivals (2020 -2024) and attended at Music@Menlo, Heifetz Institutes, Summer Music Institute at Tateuchi and Santa Clara Chamber Music & Young Musicians Academy.

Colin, age 11, began violin lessons at age 3 with David Mallory and Ayke Agus. At age 6, Colin began studying viola with Madeline Prager at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Pre-college Division. He has won numerous competitions including 1st Place in the American Viola Society National Level Junior Solo Competition, 1st place Northern California Viola Society Young Violists Competition, 1st Place CalASTA San Francisco Solo Competition - Novice Division, 1st Place in the Classical Masters Music Festival Competition, 1st Place in the CAPMT Sacramento Go For the Gold Competition, and 1st place in the 2022 Pacific Musical Society & Foundation Competition. Since 2018 Colin has performed as a soloist and with his sibling quartet, The Breshears Quartet, at Iguazú en Concierto festival in Argentina and at Festival Alfonso Ortiz Tirado in Mexico.

Valery Breshears, age 14, began violin lessons at age 2 with David Mallory. By the age of 5 Valery started studying at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Pre-college Division under William Barbini, and currently studies with Zhao Wei. Valery has soloed 16 times with orchestra since the age of 6. She has won numerous solo competitions, including winner Parnassus-San Francisco Conservatory of Music Concerto Competition, Fremont Symphony Nafisa Taghioff Award, winner Livermore-Amador Symphony Concerto Competition, 1st Place California Youth Symphony Young Artist Competition, Winner Palo Alto Philharmonic Concerto Movement Competition, 1st Place U.S. International Music Competition, 1st Place ASTA-San Francisco Competition, 1st Place ASTA-Sacramento Competition, 1st Place CAPMT-Sacramento Competition, 1st Place DVC-HNU Strings Competition, 1st Place Classical Masters Competition, 1st place Pacific Musical Society & Foundation Competition. Valery is a recipient of the 2021 Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award.

Benjamin Jiang, 16, attends Cosumnes Oaks High School in Elk Grove. He currently studies cello with Jonathan Koh and has studied piano with Dr. Natsuki Fukusawa. Benjamin’s achievements include winning the MTNA Southwest Division Senior Strings Competition, National YoungArts Competition, and winning first alternate in the MTAC Piano Solo Northern Regional Competition. Benjamin was also a first prize winner of the ASTA Solo Competition in the San Francisco and Sacramento branches, the KAMSA Cello Competition, MTAC Memorial Scholarship Program, and the Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition. Benjamin has been honored to be a featured soloist with the Auburn Symphony, Merced Symphony, and the Sacramento Youth Symphony. In addition to being a soloist, Benjamin is an avid chamber and orchestra musician. He was a co-principal cello of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra 2 (NYO2). He will join NYO-USA in the summer of 2024.

Described by Piedmont Post Music Critic Joseph Gold as “young in years, but that belies the level of her artistry,” Melissa Lam, age 15, began cello lessons at age 8 with Sergei Riabtchenko. Hired as a member of the San Francisco Choral Society orchestra, Melissa has been performing at major venues such as Davies Symphony Hall. In addition, Melissa performed solo recitals at the Piedmont Center for the Arts in 2023 and 2024. In April 2023, Melissa was invited as the guest soloist to perform Elgar’s Cello Concerto at the prestigious Town and Gown Club’s annual luncheon in Berkeley. Melissa has won first prize in the 2023 US Open Music Competition, the 2022 International “The Muse” Competition, and the 2022 International JSFest Music Competition. Melissa considers playing quartets with friends one of life’s most enjoyable activities. Her other interests include spending time with friends and family, playing with her cats, and reading classic novels.

Rubi Lee, a very active and passionate 16-year-old violinist, is currently attending Orange County School of the Arts. Since starting her journey as a violinist at the age of 8, she has performed at Carnegie Hall three times. Additionally, Rubi was featured on Show 413 from NPR’s radio program, From the Top, and is now the concertmaster of the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra. Rubi has received many awards in prestigious competitions such as the Southern California Philharmonic Concerto Competition, the Concerto competition of California Association of Professional Music Teachers, OCSA Concerto Competition, the CalASTA State Final Solo Competition, the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition and the Bellagrande International Music Competition. Recently, she got invited to perform at the Junior Bach Festival. Last summer, she had the most memorable experience during NYO-USA’s North American tour, led by conductor Sir Andrew Davis with guest soloists Gil Shaham and Hilary Hahn. Outside of her music life, she enjoys running and trying new foods.

Frederick Chen, began piano studies with his father, Xing Chen, at age five. He passed RCM Piano exam Level 10 and was awarded the First-Class Honors with Distinction at age of 9. He is currently a student of John McCarthy. Frederick is also an elite young athlete, racing alpine ski in US Far West U12 League; and playing competitive soccer in the NorCal Premier League. Off the slopes and the field, he immerses himself in world of books as an avid reader. Frederick is in fourth grade at Jose Maria Elementary School in Dublin and enrolled in the GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) program.

Raymond began learning piano at age 5 and received Distinction (144/150) in ABRSM Performance Grade 8 when he was 8 years old. He has been a pre-college student in San Francisco Conservatory of Music since Fall of 2022 and was elected as the Elementary Student Representative. He has been under the tutelage of “Director Emeritus” of the Conservatory, Mr. John McCarthy. Raymond has also been a student of Mrs. Huajun Zhang since age 6. Raymond has been awarded a significant number of top prizes in various competitions, such as Pacific Musical Society and Foundation, United States Open Music Competition, United States International Music Competition, King’s Peak International Music Competition, International New Star Piano Competition, and more. Raymond enjoys performing in benefit concerts and charitable events in the Bay Area. He is a member of the Guitar/Ukelele Ensemble at his school – The Harker School. 

Melissa Zhao, 10, began studying piano performance at the age of 5 and currently studies with Ory Shihor. She is a 5th grader at Harker School in San Jose, USA. Melissa has participated in numerous international competitions and recitals,she has received numerous piano awards and prizes in last 3 years, including First Place in the CAPMT Honors Competitions, Second Place in the CAPMT concerto Competition, Second Place in the KAMSA competition, second place in the US International Open Music Concerto Competition, bronze award in Articial piano competition, Third Place in the Young Artist Award in US International Music Competition, Second Place in the US New Star Music Competition, and second place in the showcase solo US International Open Music Competition. Besides playing piano, Melissa is active in school and is a member of the school’s student council. She also loves swimming, reading, dancing, hiking, and traveling with family and friends.

Avery Armstrong has studied at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music's Pre-College Division since the age of six, where she began with Annamarie McCarthy and currently studies with Dr. Chia-Lin Yang. She has participated in numerous international competitions, and is the Grand prize and First Prize winner of  many competitions including the American Soloist International Music Competition, Young Soloist International Music Competition, United States International Music Competition, Chicago International Music Competition, KAMSA Competition, and others. She especially enjoys making music with others. She has performed as a soloist with the Central Oregon Symphony and enjoys participating in many chamber music groups. This summer she will be joining Muisc@Menlo. In her free time, she enjoys singing, swimming, table tennis, biology and math competitions. But, what brings her the most joy is volunteering at local animal shelters and helping them find new homes.

Andrew Yin, 12, began studying piano performance at age of 5 and currently studies with Hans Boepple. He is a 6th grader at Basis Independent Silicon Valley School. Andrew won the first prize at Pacific Musical Competition 2023 and the second prize at Langlang Futian Competition 2023. He was the Gold Medalist at Piano Star International Piano Competition 2022, Grand Prix at XIII Chopin International Piano Competition Hartford 2022, and Finalist Kaufman at Music Center International Youth Piano Competition 2022. He was the first prize winner at Chicago International Music Competition 2021, KAMSA Piano Competition 2021 and Spotlight National Youth Music Competition 2021, selected for Junior Bach Festival 2022, 2023. Besides piano, Andrew enjoys clarinet, reading, math, chess, swimming. Andrew is an impact soccer player at the Bay Area Surf team.

Jessi Lin, a 12-year-old 6th grader from Santa Clara, CA, began studying the piano at the age of 7.5. She has received guidance from both Ms. Sunny Yoon and Mr. Frank Levy. In 2023, Jessi achieved 1st prize in the USOMC, earning an outstanding gold medalist distinction, and followed up with a second prize in the 2024 USOMC concerto solo competition. Additionally, Jessi was invited to participate in the 2024 Junior Bach Festival. Jessi co-founded the Panini Trio with her friends and has dedicated her time to volunteer work at senior centers in Cupertino and was invited to perform at the McAfee Center for Performing Arts in 2023. Apart from her musical pursuits, Jessi finds joy in reading classic novels, crafting her own fiction books, and illustrating cartoons. 

William Chen, age 11, is a 6th grader from San Jose, California. He has been studying with Mrs. Kai Chi Zhu since six years old. In the past few years, William has won First Place in the United States Open Music Competition, United States International Music Competition, US New Star Competition and American Protégé International Piano & Strings Competition. In 2024, William won First Place awards in Encore, USOMC, and KAMSA Piano Competition. Moreover, he was awarded Honorable Mention in the Marilyn Mindell Piano Competition, and Third Prize in the Marian Filice Piano Competition. Additionally, he participated in the Junior Bach Festival. Besides music, William is also interested in life science, reading, and traveling.

Claire is a freshman at Henry M. Gunn High School in Palo Alto, California, and a pre-college student at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM). She started learning the piano at the age of 5 and is currently studying with Professor Corey McVicar. Claire has achieved numerous awards throughout her early career. She was named Laureate with a scholarship in the 2023 Ross McKee Foundation Piano Competition. She also won top prizes in several competitions, including the Artciál International Piano Competition, LA International Liszt Competition with the Best Performance Award of Paganini Etude, ENKOR International Music Competition, the International Grande Music Competition, LA Young Musician International Competition, United States International Music Competition and United States Open Music Competition. Claire has had the privilege of participating in masterclasses with renowned pianists such as Garrick Ohlsson, Jon Nakamatsu, and HieYon Choi.

Natalie Burr is a 10th grader at the Oakland School for the Arts. She currently studies with Dr. Sharon Mann. Natalie has won at the San Francisco Chopin Competition, East Bay Music Festival Piano Competition, the Great Composers competition, and the California Association of Professional Music Teachers Honors Competition. She has also performed at the Junior Bach Festival several times. Every Saturday, she enjoys performing at ‘The Watermark by the Bay’ senior housing center.

Based in Fremont, California, 16-year-old Brian Lin is a devoted pianist currently studying under the tutelage of Professor Hans Boepple. Brian embarked on his musical journey at the age of 6, mastering a diverse range of musical styles. His accomplishments include winning the 2024 National YoungArts for Classical Instrumental (Piano) and securing a full scholarship from the 2022-2024 Chopin Foundation of the United States. Notable highlights of Brian's career include participation in prestigious events like the 2023 Music at Menlo Chamber Music Festival and selection as a contestant for the 2023 THE THOMAS & EVON Cooper International Competition. Additionally, Brian was recognized as the state winner in the 2023 California Association of Professional Music Teachers Competitions. In addition to his musical pursuits, Brian actively engages in philanthropy, supporting causes such as fundraising for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and performing for special needs children and elderly individuals. He is a two-time Gold recipient of the National Presidential Volunteer Service Award, underscoring his dedication to community service. Beyond his musical and charitable endeavors, Brian also enjoys basketball and has a keen interest in the culinary arts, reflecting his well-rounded nature.

Xinran began playing the piano at age four and a half. She currently studies with Hans Boepple. At age 13, Xinran made her debut with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, playing Chopin’s e minor concerto. Since then she has performed the Rachmaninoff Rhapsody with the Vancouver Symphony. Xinran has attended various music festivals, including Morningside Music Bridge in Boston, the Cliburn Junior Piano Festival, and Philadelphia Young Pianists' Academy (PYPA) Piano Festival. In addition, she has won numerous piano competitions, including top prizes in the e-Piano Competition, Hilton Head International Piano Competition, and Ettlingen International Piano Competition, to name a few. Xinran was also a 2020-2022 Young Scholar of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation. In 2023, she appeared on NPR’s From The Top.

Mikaela George is a California-based classical vocalist and senior at Aragon High School. A dedicated member of Aragon’s music program, she serves as Choir President and President of the Aragon Music Project, a musical service club. Extracurricularly, Mikaela was honored as a San Mateo County Youth Cultural Ambassador. She sings and tours with the Peninsula Girls Chorus of Burlingame’s premier chorus Ensemble, having represented PGC at American Choral Directors Association Western and National Conferences in Salt Lake City, Long Beach, Cincinnati and Pasadena. She performed in the yearly Music Teachers' Association of California Certificate of Merit Evaluations, achieving state honors, and as a featured soloist for BAYCO Foster City. Recreationally, Mikaela enjoys organizing concerts at senior homes and community centers, and working at B Street Books, an antiquarian bookstore. Mikaela studied voice under Gina Vandellos, and currently studies with Louise Costigan-Kerns, an opera coach and Stanford University piano faculty member.

Akshi Malhotra is a 16-year-old singer from California who has been working with Mrs. Haruna Shiokawa-Mo, the founder of Legato Music School, to improve her classical singing abilities. She has placed 1st and 2nd in the American Protege and Golden Voices of America many times. She was selected for the Junior High/9th Grade California All-State Honor Choir. She was also selected for the ACDA National Choir, where she performed alongside the choir in Cincinnati, Ohio. Also, she won 1st place in SFBAC NATs in the under-15 category in 2021, 2022, and 2023, and 3rd in 2024. She passed her MTAC Advanced Voice Level with flying colors recently, which got her selected for the Convention recital and moved forward to the Panel Finals. Outside of singing, Akshi enjoys computer science and psychology and hopes to help people all over the world through them and music combined!

Eve Genie Nudd, soprano, is a junior in the Ruth Asawa School of the Arts theater department. She sings in the Young Women’s Chorus, the premiere ensemble of the Young Women’s Choral Projects of San Francisco. With the Young Women’s Chorus, Eve Genie has toured France and Argentina, and will travel to Eastern Canada this summer. Recently, Eve performed the role of “Youth” in a production of Elijah with the San Francisco Academy Orchestra, City Chorus, and the Calvary Chancel Choir. She is looking forward to studying in the Young Artist Program of Tanglewood this summer. Outside of music, Eve Genie enjoys spending time with friends and baking.

Nathaniel Lee, a 14-year-old composer and cellist, is a 9th grader in Davis, CA. He is currently studying cello with Carrie Miller, and has also had support and guidance in music composition with Trey Makley and Ryan Suleiman. He is the principal cellist of his school orchestra and will be joining Davis High School’s Baroque Ensemble next year. He has been composing music since he was 5 years old. Recently he has taken an interest in writing parodies of video game music mashed together with classical pieces. Inspired by many Classical and Romantic Era composers and pieces, Nathaniel values artistic and emotional depth and intensity in the pieces that he listens to and composes. Outside of music, Nathaniel enjoys competing in math competitions, playing chess, and participating in his high school robotics team.

Karen Matsui is an 8th grader at Valley Christian Junior High School in San Jose. She is currently studying with Mrs. Kai Chi Zhu and Mr. Grant Kondo. Karen has won numerous prizes in prestigious competitions including 3 First Prizes in the United States Open Music Competition 2024, First Prize in the Great Masters International Piano Competition 2023, Second Prize in the New Star International Music Competition 2023, and Third Prize in the Elevato Competition 2023. As a chamber musician, Karen’s Valley Christian Junior High Piano Trio was awarded First Prizes at the USIMC 2023 and the Santa Cruz Youth Chamber Music Competition 2023. As an avid improviser since she was 7 years old, Karen was invited to perform at the Improvisation Honor’s Recital at the MTAC Annual Convention 2023. Most recently, Karen’s original composition received Second Prize in the Golden Key Piano Composition Competition, and it will be performed at the World Composers Recital in Vienna in the summer of 2024.

Kiran Thole, age 14, is a composer and violinist who lives in Davis, California. He currently studies composition with Davide Verotta and violin with Victor Romasevich. He has played violin for 8 years and has been composing for 3 years. He has a voracious curiosity, and enjoys listening to a myriad of composers, especially his favorite ones, Dmitri Shostakovich and Karol Szymanowski. He also won the 2nd place prize for the Pacific Musical Competition last year