The Kamuela Philharmonic Orchestra is pleased to announce this year’s winners of our 11th annual Madeline Schatz-Harris Youth Concerto Competition.
Sixteen young string players from all over Hawai’i state submitted video recordings of themselves as their entry, performing one movement of a selected piece from the standard concerto repertoire. Led by Brian Dollinger, the Kamuela Philharmonic’s artistic director and conductor, a panel of judges from across the country reviewed the submissions and selected the winners.
The three winners of this year’s competition are violinists Jayden Kim (age 11), Yxing Guo (age 14), and Ylang Guo (age 16). Each will receive a scholarship award and the opportunity to perform with the Kamuela Philharmonic at their upcoming January 30, 2022, MasterWorks concert, Refreshed Jubilance.
“As a string teacher for many years, I am always genuinely impressed by the high caliber of performance that is presented at our young artist competition auditions. Poise, preparation, and youthful energy are always so present from our Hawaii youth,” states Maestro Dollinger.
Joel Gimpel, board president of the Kamuela Philharmonic, said, “The judges were extremely impressed with the level of preparedness and performance by all of the students. Because 2021 was so very restrictive, their accomplishments stand out even more; they did an outstanding job.”
“As the longest-running youth concerto competition throughout the islands, it is ever more important to keep opportunities like this available to our young musicians. The ability to compete and present their hard work in this way is very special to them. And myself!” added Dollinger. “We plan to bring these young musicians to Hawai‘i Island to perform with us at our January MasterWorks concert.”
Eleven-year-old Jayden Kim is from Honolulu, Hawaii, and is currently a 6th grader attending Kaimuki Middle School. Jayden has been playing the violin from the age of 5 and is currently studying the violin under the tutelage of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra concertmaster, Mr. Ignace Jang
For our second age category, fourteen-year-old Yxing Guo has been studying violin with Dr. Nicole Ebisu since age three and is currently studying with Hawaii Symphony Orchestra concertmaster Ignace Jang.
In our final age category, sixteen-year-old Ylang Guo started playing the violin at the age of 3 with Nicole Ebisu and is currently studying, as well, with HSO Ignace Jang.
“In all my years of holding similar concerto competitions, this year will be a little extra special for me. We have two sisters who have won in their respective age categories. So, this becomes an even more special family affair for them,” muses Dollinger.
Courtesy photos provided.