Liam Cawley, 13, began studying the violin at the age of five after being accepted to the Special Music School (SMS). In his early years, Liam studied violin with Jude Ziliak, and since second grade, he has continued his studies with Matthew Reichert. Outside of school, Liam served as concertmaster of the Con Brio Orchestra of the Chamber Music Center of New York from 2021 to 2023, and he is currently a first violinist in the Crescendo Orchestra of the New York Youth Symphony.

Liam has participated in several summer music programs in the U.S. and abroad, most recently attending the 2025 Summer Program at the Heifetz International Music Institute. In addition to his festival studies, Liam had opportunities to play a side-by-side concert with Colin Jacobsen in 2022 and to receive masterclasses with Chloé Kiffer and Lun Li in 2025. In January 2026, Liam won the Kaufman Music Center Concerto Competition and made his solo debut with orchestra in Merkin Hall in February 2026. Additional accolades include First Prize at the International Grande Music Competition (2026), First Prize at the Radda Rise International String Competition (2025), First Prize at the VIVO International Music Competition (2024), and Semifinalist at the Music International Grand Prix (2023). Among his most meaningful musical experiences are community outreach performances and participation in Make Music New York in SMS’s partnership with New York City Council Member Gale A. Brewer.

The venues Liam has performed at include Merkin Hall and Ann Goodman Recital Hall at Kaufman Music Center, Weill Recital Hall and Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, and Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Outside of music, Liam participates in math competitions with SMS Middle School Math Club and Rubik’s Cube competitions organized by the World Cube Association.

Freya Chen is a 9-year-old violinist who began playing the violin at a young age and quickly developed a deep love for music and performance. She is drawn to the expressive and storytelling qualities of classical repertoire, and finds joy in shaping musical phrases and bringing character to each work she performs.

Freya studies violin with Elizabeth Chang and Ellen DePasquale, with whom she continues to develop her musical foundation and artistic voice. She has won top prizes, including Grand Prizes, at several prestigious international competitions. In 2025, she was accepted into the Juilliard Pre-College, where she continues her studies with dedication and curiosity.

Freya has been invited to perform live and be interviewed on major national and local television networks, including CBS News, NBC News, and NY1. She also had the extraordinary honor of performing on Mozart’s childhood violin, becoming the first violinist in the United States to play this historic instrument.

Beyond her musical activities, Freya enjoys reading, skiing, and playing tennis, as well as traveling and exploring new places and cultures with her family. She is an active young musician who enjoys sharing music with others.

Geoffrey Chen is a dedicated young violinist and a student at Chatham Middle School, NJ. He began studying the violin at the age of seven and is currently under the guidance of Jiwon April Kim. Since then, he has developed a deep love for music, combining thoughtful musical expression with growing technical skill.

Geoffrey has been recognized in numerous international competitions. He received First Prize at the VIVO International Music Competition (2025, 2026) and the Crescendo International Music Competition (2025), and was awarded the Grand Prize at the International Young Artists Competition (2026). He also earned Second Prize at the Camerata Artists International Competition (2026), along with top prizes in earlier competitions in Taiwan.

An active orchestral musician, Geoffrey has enjoyed performing with the New Jersey Youth Symphony, where he served as Concertmaster (2022–2023) and was a member of the first violin section from 2020 to 2024. He was also selected for the New Jersey All-State Orchestra and New Jersey Regional Orchestra (2024, 2025). These experiences have shaped both his leadership and his love of making music with others.

Geoffrey has participated in masterclasses with violinists Elli Choi (2025) and Brennan Sweet (2024), which have enriched his musical perspective and inspired his continued growth.

His repertoire includes works by Vieuxtemps, Kabalevsky, Bruch, Bach, Sarasate, and Vitali. Geoffrey especially enjoys exploring the violin concerto repertoire and sharing music with audiences. He looks forward to continuing his musical journey and connecting with others through performance.

My name is Ben and I have been a violinist since the age of 4.

Being surrounded by music for a majority of my life has been a very interesting and fulfilling experience. I can say with confidence that music has enriched my life and that I feel a strong connection to it. It’s something that can express what words cannot, and I think having the opportunity to engage in that is something truly special.

In my free time I like to go on late night walks and spend time with friends and family. I feel that music has somehow contributed to my worldview and is somewhat part of the reason why I enjoy the tranquility and peace at night.

Yujin Kang, age 14, began studying violin at the age of 6 and currently studies with the teacher, Ann Setzer at Juilliard Precollege. Yujin is a 9th grade student at Dwight-Englewood School, NJ where she performed as a concertmaster of middle school orchestra and 2nd violin principal of high school.

She won a numerous competitions like Camerata Concerto Competition, Capital Philharmonic concerto competition, International Grand Music Competition and ect. Now she is a member of New York Youth Orchestra at Carnegie Hall.

Ian attends Herricks High School as a freshman and has been playing violin for about 6 years. He’s in chamber orchestra at his school and he’s currently playing Saint Saens Violin Concerto No. 3.

Nathaniel Kuo-Hsu, a sixth-grade student at the Horace Mann School, studies cello with Yari Bond at the Lucy Moses School. He first became interested in the cello in first grade after visiting a luthier shop while in Taiwan, and began formal lessons the following year in New York with Mark Humburg. He has since received guidance and masterclasses with cellists including Mark Churchill, Lluís Claret, David Geber, Nan-Cheng Chen at the Altenburger Musik Akademie, and Giovanni Scaglione of the Quartetto di Cremona.

At age ten, Nathaniel made his solo orchestral debut with the Vienna International Orchestra at Stift Geras, Austria. He is the winner of the 2025 Kaufman Music Center Concerto Competition and the 2025 Harmony Program Concerto Competition, and subsequently performed with orchestra at Kaufman Music Center’s Merkin Hall and Adler Hall at the New York Society for Ethical Culture. He also received the Best Bach Award at the Cremona Music Festival in 2025 in Italy.

Nathaniel has appeared as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player at venues including Carnegie Hall, the Rose Studio at Lincoln Center, the DiMenna Center for Classical Music, and the Church of the Heavenly Rest. He has also been invited to perform at Sunday Mass at Stift Altenburg in Austria.

In addition to his stage performances, Nathaniel is passionate in sharing music with the community. He has performed at the New York Society for Ethical Culture for the Claudette Colvin Festival and the Gandhi-King Season for Nonviolence, and recorded for a Project Peace Light installation for World Children’s Day. He also participates in the Kaufman Center’s Day of Musical Action and has played for patients at Mount Sinai Heart.

Claire Chaewon Lee is a freshman at the Spence School. She began studying the violin at age five and was accepted into the Juilliard Pre-College program at age 11, where she currently studies with Elizabeth Chang.

Her recent accomplishments include a Bronze Award at the Bravura Philharmonic Young Artists Concerto Competition, Runner-up (Alternate) at the Capital Philharmonic Youth Concerto Competition, and Grand Prize at the Harmony for Peace Competition. She also received top prizes from Camerata Artists International Concerto Competition, International Grande Music Competition, Opus Music Competition, VIVO International Competition, and Enkor International Competition, as well as an Honorable Mention in the MTNA New York State Junior Division.

Claire has performed at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, and Lincoln Center’s Bruno Walter Auditorium. She has presented two solo recitals at Juilliard Pre-College (2025, 2026).

She currently serves as Concertmaster of the Spence Upper School Orchestra and has served as Principal of both the Juilliard Pre-College Symphony Orchestra and String Orchestra. She has participated in masterclasses with distinguished artists such as Shunske Sato, Sylvia Danburg Volpe, and Kelly Hall-Tompkins.

She has spent recent summers at the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival and the Heifetz International Music Institute, where she received a merit award, and will attend Yellow Barn’s Young Artists Program in summer 2026.

Claire is also an active member of Clexical, an organization dedicated to making contemporary classical music more accessible, and participates in outreach concerts at nursing and rehabilitation centers through the Enob Outreach Concert Series. Beyond music, she enjoys coding, reading and writing, acting, swimming, and running.

Olivia Lee is a student at Juilliard Pre-College, where she has studied under the tutelage of Professor Masao Kawasaki since the age of 13. Previously she studied with Dr. Jiwon April Hong. She has earned top prizes in several major competitions, including consecutive honors at the Vivo International Music Competition (2023–2025), the Camerata Artists International Music Competition (2025), and the Vitas International Music Competition (2026). At the latter, she was notably recognized with a Distinction Scholarship Award for her refined artistry and musical excellence.

In addition to her primary studies, Olivia has received musical guidance in masterclasses from such distinguished violinists as Soovin Kim, Kelly Hall-Tompkins, and Mimi Zweig. This coming summer, she will attend the Heifetz International Music Institute as a merit scholarship recipient.

Mia has been playing the violin for six years and studies with Dr. Soo Yeon Kim. She has participated in numerous summer programs including those at the Luzerne Music Center, the Interlochen Arts Camp, and the Blue Mountain Chamber Music Festival. At Interlochen, Mia participated in the Junior Advanced Strings program and served as the Concertmaster of Junior String Ensemble as a ten-year old. She has performed in masterclasses with Hiu Sing Fan, Robin Scott, Jinwoo Lee, Rachel Barton Pine, Katie Lansdale, and Sirena Huang. Mia is from Westport, Connecticut where she started learning violin at the local Suzuki School with Dr. Sigrid Karlstrom. She is currently a seventh grader at Bedford Middle School and plays in the Norwalk Youth Symphony Concert Orchestra as its Concertmaster.

Ellie Liu is a ten-year-old violinist. She began learning the violin at age 4 and was admitted to the Juilliard Pre-College Division at 7, where she currently studies with Ms. Ann Setzer and Mr. Khullip Jeung.
Ellie has received many prizes in competitions, including the American Protege International Piano & Strings Competition, the International Young Artists Competition, the International Grande Music Competition, the Prima Volta Music Competition, the New York Laureate International Music Competition, the American Soloist International Music Competition, and the Leonid Kogan International Violin Competition in Belgium. She was the runner up winner of the Juilliard concerto competition. She made her orchestral debut with the New Virtuoso Orchestra in NJ at the age of 6. In 2025, she won the gold prize in the Bravura Philharmonic Young Artists Concerto Competition and was invited to play with the orchestra. She also played with the Massapequa Philharmonic Orchestra in 2025.

In 2026, she was featured in the Juilliard Celebration Concert at Peter Jay Sharp Theater. She won 1st place in the concerto category of the Camerata Artist International Competition and performed with the Camerata Orchestra in Merkin Hall in 2026.

Besides playing the violin, She likes swimming.

Isaiah Shin is 12-year-old violinist from New York, currently studying with Professor Jungwon Yoon at the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College. Isaiah started studying the violin at the age of 4 and from then he embarked on a long journey of competitions and performances.

He has won numerous awards for performance in violin including the Miclot International Music Competition, Salzburg International Music Competition, Euterpe Music Awards, American Protégé International Competition of Romantic Music, New York Young Musician Competition, Vivo International Music Competition, Bellagrande International Music Competition, Golden Key Festival, Music International Grand Prix, Camerata Artists International Concerto Competition, American Virtuoso International Music Competition, Prima Volta Music Competition, and American Protégé International Music Talent Competition. In 2025, was selected as a candidate for the prestigious 2025 Piccolo Violino Magico and won the best outdoor concert competition.

Isaiah has performed as a soloist in multiple venues including Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall, Merkin Hall and Lincoln Center’s Bruno Walter Auditorium. At the age of 8, he made his orchestral debut with the Symphony of Westchester, performing the first movement of Mozart’s Violin Concerto in G Major K. 216 with conductor Barry Hoffman. In 2025, he played the same piece with Manhattan School of Music’s Repertory Orchestra after winning the Precollege Concerto Competition. Most recently, Isaiah won first prize in the Symphony of Westchester Young Artist Competition (2026) and performed the third movement of Mozart’s Violin Concerto in G Major K. 216. Isaiah has participated in masterclasses with world-renowned violinists Mihaela Martin, Shlomo Mintz, Jens Lohmann, Giuseppe Gibboni and Lucie Robert.

Aside from music, he also enjoys math, soccer and taekwondo.

Violinist Calliope Smith (14), a ninth-grader at Stanford Online High School, studies violin at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Pre-College Academy with Simon James and Chen Zhao and applied musicianship with Hiro David. Calliope has been a prize winner in international as well as local competitions, including the Arthur Grumiaux International Violin Competition, the Vancouver International Music Competition, the Odin Competition, the Chicago International Music Competition, the Nouvelles Étoiles Competition, the American Virtuoso International Music Competition, the California MTNA Competition, the New York International Artists’ Association Praelusio Competition, the Pacific Musical Society Competition, and the Enkor Competition.

Calliope has soloed with the Uniart Orchestra in Paris, the New York Concerti Sinfonietta at Merkin Hall, the Butler Philharmonic in Ohio, and the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra. Calliope is also an avid chamber musician and recently gave a recital at the Barbro Osher Recital Hall with her piano quartet, Cadentia, which won Grand Prize in the Enkor Competition. In addition, she serves as a first violinist in the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra. Calliope has played in solo and chamber music master classes for Midori, Gilbert Kalish, Kim Kashkashian, Erin Keefe, Ariana Kim, Kenneth Renshaw, and Kirill Troussov. During the Summer of 2025, she performed in the Music@Menlo Young Performers Program, the Sarasate Academy in Spain, and Center Stage Strings in Michigan.

In addition to violin, she loves writing stories, baking, learning languages, and participating in Model UN.

I am an emerging violinist dedicated to exploring the profound narrative power of music. Currently, I attend Saint Anthony’s High School, where I serve as the Associate Concertmaster of the school orchestra, and I am a scholarship student at the Manhattan School of Music (MSM) Pre-College, refining my artistry under the esteemed Professor Xiao Wang.

My musical journey is defined by a global perspective and a commitment to excellence across solo and ensemble performance. Before moving to New York, I built a formidable foundation in Canada, where I was admitted to the National Conservatory of Music in Montreal in 2023. During my time at FACE School, I held the position of First Violin for the Symphony Orchestra and performed as a featured soloist with the Chamber Orchestra for the OSF’s 25th Anniversary Concert. One of my most rewarding experiences was being featured on the front page of the Montreal Gazette as a representative soloist of my generation.

My competitive drive has led to success on international stages, including a 3rd place finish in the solo category at the International London Classical Music Competition and numerous awards from prestigious South Korean competitions, such as the Seoul Royal Symphony Orchestra Competition. Additionally, achieving ABRSM Grade 8 with Distinction (139/150) has provided me with a rigorous technical framework to support my creative expression.

From participating in masterclasses with renowned artists like Danny Koo to performing at Montreal’s Combined Symphony Orchestra concerts, I have consistently sought to broaden my artistic horizons. At both MSM and Saint Anthony’s, I strive to blend technical precision with the leadership and collaborative spirit I have cultivated through years of elite orchestral and chamber music experience. I am committed to using my music to bridge cultural boundaries and share a unique, resonant voice with the world.

Ryan Chung is a 15-year old American violinist born in Korea. He has been an active student at the Juilliard Precollege division on scholarship since the age of 10 and is studying under his instructor, Catherine Cho. Ryan is also currently a student at the Perlman Music Program since the age of 12.

His playing stands out by his soulful and rich expression characterized by his deep and rounded tone quality. He began learning the violin at the age of six under Sunyoung Lee and has studied under Francesca dePasquale.
In 2026, he won the 1st prize at the Caprio Young Artists Competition, from which he will be making his debut in early December of 2026 with the Riverside Sinfonia. He also gained numerous prizes from earlier ages including the Gold prize at the Vivo International Music Competition, and the 1st prizes of the strings category at the International Grande Music Competition and the Bellagrande International Music Competition.

In August of 2025, Ryan recorded the 1st movement of Prokofiev’s 2nd Violin Concerto with the Prague Metropolitan Orchestra for a project run by the NV factory recording studio. In addition, he has recorded a caprice from the renowned violinist and composer Curtis Stewart in his newest album, 24 American Caprices in November of 2025. Ryan has also had the position of concert master at the Juilliard Pre College Symphony Orchestra, and is passionate about playing chamber music.

On top of playing the violin, Ryan displays exceptional talent in composing as he currently possesses 6 completed opuses. He demonstrates mastery in composing for orchestra alongside his colorful and vibrant sense of harmony. Moreover, he loves to play for his church with a love for glorifying God through music. Outside of music, Ryan enjoys animating and video editing.

Elliot Han is a 10th-grade, 15-year-old violinist from New Jersey who began studying the violin at the age of eight. Since 2025, he has attended the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Division, where he continues to pursue advanced musical training.

Elliot has earned first place awards in numerous competitions, including the East Coast International Concerto Competition, Manhattan International Music Competition, Prima Volta Competition, Vivo International Music Competition (Bronze), and Elite International Music Competition. He has performed at distinguished venues such as Weil Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall and Merkin Concert Hall.

An active chamber musician, Elliot has been a member of the New York Youth Symphony Chamber Music Program since 2025, performing as part of a piano trio. He also attended the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival in 2025. His musical development has been further enriched through masterclasses with renowned artists Mark Steinberg and Mimi Zweig. Elliot is deeply grateful to his teachers, Christina Khimm-Rosand and Soyeon Ahn, for their guidance and mentorship

Hannah Moon is a sophomore at Bergen County Academies. She is a dedicated young musician actively engaged in solo and chamber performance, studying under Benjamin Bowman at the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Division.
She began playing the violin at the age of 6 and later participated in the Korea Seoul Arts Center Gifted Children Music Academy, where she developed her early musical foundation. She has since continued advanced training and performance opportunities in the United States.

Her recent achievements include First Prize at the OPUS Music State Competition 2025 (New Jersey String division), Semi-Finalist at the 11th Coltman Chamber Competition 2024, and top prizes in multiple international competitions. She was also a Grand Prize Nominee for the PRODIGY International Music Competition 2025 and received the Silver Prize at the Bravura Philharmonic Young Artists Concerto Competition.

As a soloist, she performed with the Bravura Philharmonic Orchestra at its Young Artists Concert in June 2025, presenting Wieniawski’s Fantasia on Themes from “Faust,” Op. 20.

She is currently the Concertmaster of the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Symphony Orchestra and a member of the New York Youth Symphony. Her musical experience spans solo, chamber, and orchestral performance, and she continues to develop her artistic voice through rigorous study and performance opportunities.

Hannah Moon is a sophomore at Bergen County Academies. She is a dedicated young musician actively engaged in solo and chamber performance, studying under Benjamin Bowman at the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Division.
She began playing the violin at the age of 6 and later participated in the Korea Seoul Arts Center Gifted Children Music Academy, where she developed her early musical foundation. She has since continued advanced training and performance opportunities in the United States.

Her recent achievements include First Prize at the OPUS Music State Competition 2025 (New Jersey String division), Semi-Finalist at the 11th Coltman Chamber Competition 2024, and top prizes in multiple international competitions. She was also a Grand Prize Nominee for the PRODIGY International Music Competition 2025 and received the Silver Prize at the Bravura Philharmonic Young Artists Concerto Competition.

As a soloist, she performed with the Bravura Philharmonic Orchestra at its Young Artists Concert in June 2025, presenting Wieniawski’s Fantasia on Themes from “Faust,” Op. 20.

She is currently the Concertmaster of the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Symphony Orchestra and a member of the New York Youth Symphony. Her musical experience spans solo, chamber, and orchestral performance, and she continues to develop her artistic voice through rigorous study and performance opportunities.

Jenice Jilun Wang, 15, is a 10th grader at the Special Music School in New York City. She began studying the cello at age four and made her solo recital debut at Queens College in 2017. That same year, she performed with the New York Philharmonic as part of its New World Initiative, with her appearance featured on the orchestra’s website.

Jilun has performed at major venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Merkin Hall, Symphony Space, and the DiMenna Center. She is a top prize winner of numerous competitions, including the Rondo Young Artist Festival, Cremona International Music Academy in Italy, CPSM Competition, and the New York Laureate International Music Competition. In 2022, she received the Grand Prix at the Concert Festival and performed Haydn’s Concerto in C at Carnegie Hall, premiering her own cadenza dedicated to Ukraine. She was also awarded third prize at the 2023 George Gershwin International Music Competition.

An active chamber musician, Jilun’s quartet won first prize at the Anselmo V International Youth Composition Competition and performed at Symphony Space and Lincoln Center’s Rose Studio. She has also appeared in the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s Young Ensembles Concert.

Jilun has participated in major summer programs including the Heifetz International Music Institute, Greenwood Music Camp, Walnut Hill String Intensive, and the Castleman Quartet Program, and has received scholarship support from programs such as the Boston University Tanglewood Institute.

She previously attended the Manhattan School of Music Precollege and currently studies with Jennifer Park at the Special Music School.

I have been learning music and playing the violin for over 7 years, and I am currently studying with Khullip Jeung and Ann Setzer. I have participated in orchestras both inside and outside of school, specifically the Rye Country Day Strings and the 4Strings Summer Camp orchestras. I have also competed in several music competitions, such as Young Maestro and the Elite international music competition, as well as performed in venues such as Weill Recital Hall and Merkin Hall. Finally, my brother and I founded the Joyful Youth Musical Alliance, a charity music group, and along with many other fellow young musicians, we have performed over a dozen concerts in nursing homes, malls, and historical sites.