Young Artist Competition
Ensemble 212 Young Artist Competition for Strings
Junior Division (Ages 14 & under) • Senior Division
(Ages 15 – 18)
Young Park, Director, Ensemble 212 Young Artist Competition
Yoon Jae Lee, Artistic Director
We are happy to announce the dates of our new Young Artist Competition for Strings. From 2024, we started alternating between piano and string instruments every other year. Please see the Rules and Regulations page for updated information.
PLEASE NOTE: This year’s competition is open to string players only. Our next competition for piano will take place in later in 2026. Please check back in the Fall for exact dates.
The competition is open to applicants worldwide. There will be two divisions; the junior division for applicants ages 14 and under and the senior division for applicants ages 15 to 18. The semi-final and final rounds will be held virtually. Two 1st Prize winners in each division will be invited to make a professionally produced video performance with Ensemble 212 at the DiMenna Center for Classical Music in New York City. The final video production will be permanently uploaded to Ensemble 212’s YouTube channel allowing their performances to reach unlimited audiences and preserve their achievement as a lasting legacy.
Objective: To give outstanding young instrumentalists (ages 18 and under) opportunities to perform as a soloist with a professional orchestra.
Procedure for the competition: Please read the official rules and regulations and review the repertoire list. Submit application along with application fee by the deadline dates.
| Important dates | Young Artist Competition Timeline |
| Sunday April 12 | Deadline for submitting the regular application fee of $125 |
| April 13 – April 19 | Acceptance of late applications |
| Sunday April 19 | Deadline for submitting the late application fee of $150 |
| Thursday April 30 | Notification of applicants advancing to the Semi-final round |
| Thursday May 14 | Semi-final round (Junior & Senior Division) |
| Thursday May 14 | Notification of applicants advancing to the Final round |
| Friday May 15 | Final round (Junior & Senior Division) |
| Friday May 15 | Announcement of winners |
| May 25 – May 29 | Rehearsals with Ensemble 212 (exact dates and times TBD) |
| Saturday May 30 | Date of video production at the DiMenna Center in New York City |
Rules and Regulations | Repertoire List | Application Fee Payment
Please contact us at ensemble212youngartistcomp@gmail.com if you have any questions regarding the competition.
Ensemble 212’s Young Artist Competition is made possible through the generous support from the Kwong Sum Charity Fund.
“I had such a great experience with the Ensemble 212 Competition! The judges were really supportive, and the orchestra treated me like a professional. They were all really positive and Maestro Lee made the experience wonderful for me.”
William McGregor
“It was such a great experience participating in this competition! I really enjoyed playing with Ensemble 212. I felt like the orchestra and I were cohesive, which allowed me to freely express myself. This is what made it so much fun!”
Sydney Lee
“I really enjoyed my experience with the Ensemble 212 competition. The event was well organized and very professional. I was very honored to be given the opportunity to be heard by all the distinguished people on the judging panel.”
Perri Sussman