0 itemsAwards and Scholarship Archive
Compilation of Awards and Scholarships from 2006 - 2022
The Academy also provides special support and preparation to students who enter local, regional, national and international solo and chamber music competitions. Numerous Music Institute of Chicago Academy students are prize winners and matriculate to the nation’s top conservatories and universities.
Here is a sampling of award winners since 2006 including the current Academy season.
National and International Competitions and Significant Scholarship Awards
Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition
2020- 1st Prize, Alumna Maya Anjali Buchanan, violin
2nd Triennial Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition
2020 - 1st Prize - Alumnus Julian Rhee, violin and Community Engagement Award
International Violin Competition Leopold Mozart
2017 First Prize – Mozart Prize: Alumnus Joshua Brown, Violinist, USA
2017 Second Prize: Alumna Karisa Chiu, USA
10th Annual International LOUIS SPOHR Competition for Young Violinists, Germany
2023 - 3rd - Lily Sullivan, violin
London and Brussels Grand Prize Virtuoso Competitions,
2023 - 1st - Lily Sullivan, violin
American Protégé International Concerto Competition (April and May Winners' Concerts)
2022 - Tristan Zhu, violin
2022 - Ethan Zheng, piano
2021 - Mark Zhu, piano
2021 - Sidney Lee, viola
2017 - 2nd Irina Casasnovas, violin
2015 - 1st Richard Li, cello
2014 - 1st Nathan Mo, cello
American String Teachers Association National Solo Competition (ASTA/ILASTA)
2019 - Grand Prize, Zechary Mo
2018 - 1st Irina Casasnovas, violin
2016 - HM Hannah White, violin
2009 - 1st Matthew Lipman, viola
Blount-Slawson Young Artists Competition (January)
2019 - 2nd John Heo, violin; Irina Casasnovas, finalist
2018 - 1st Maya Anjali Buchanan, violin (alumna)
2016 - 1st Karisa Chiu, violin; Finalist - Nathan Mo, cellist
2013 - 1st Gallia Kastner, violin; 2nd Ade Williams, violin
2012 – 3rd Claire Bourg, violin
2011 – 1st Kelly Talim, violin; 3rd Alexandra Switala, violin
2010 – 1st Matthew Lipman, viola; Finalist - Vincent Meklis
ENKOR International Music Competition -Chamber Music (January)
2017 - Astera String Quartet - Ria Honda and Hannah White, violins, Kayla Cabrera, viola, Annamarie Wellems, cello
ENKOR International Music Competition - Strings
2019 - First Place, Cello, Mia Wimbiscus
2016 - Grand Prize, First Place, Violin - Joshua Brown
Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition (May)
Gold Medal (6)
2018 - Kairos String Quartet - Joshua Brown and Julian Rhee, violin/viola, Thompson Wang, violin, Lydia Rhea, cello
2013 - Quartet Lumière - Rebecca Benjamin and Gallia Kastner, violin, Mira Williams, viola, Josiah Yoo, cello
2012 - Quartet Stracciatella - Erika Gray and Hyun-Jae Lim, violin, Stephanie Block, viola, Johannes Gray, cello
2010 - Quartet Danaë - Zachary Spontak and Sophia Cho, violin, Leah Ferguson, viola, Benjamin Fried, cello
2009 - Aurelia String Quartet - Susie Koh and Laura Park, violin, Arianna Smith, viola, Allan Steele, cello
2008 - Quartet Polaris - Andrea Jarrett and Vincent Meklis, violin, Matthew Lipman, viola, Gabrial Cabezas, cello
Silver Medal (6)
2023 - Pelios String Quartet - Ellen Zhou, Clark Snavely, violins; Tristan Zhu, viola; Amelia Zitoun, cello
2020 - Dasani String Quartet - Isabella Brown, Katya Moeller, violin, Zechary Mo, viola, Brandon Cheng, cello (Virtual Competition)
2017 - Astera Quartet - Ria Honda and Hannah White, violin, Kayla Cabrera, viola, Annamarie Wellems, cello
2014 - Vox Quartet - Serena Harnack and Hansuh Rhee, violin, Mira Williams, viola, Nathan Mo, cello
2010 - Emerald Quartet - Ethan Hoppe, Kenneth Jones-Madrid, Clayton Penrose-Whitmore, violin/viola, Alexander Hersh, cello
2008 - Ridere Quartet - Samantha Bennett, Ryan Meehan, Emma Steele, violin/viola, Mindy Park, cello
Bronze Medal (5)
2022 - Peresson String Quartet - Katya Moeller, Kelly Kim, Sidney Lee, Serge Kalinovsky, cello
2016 - Vibrante String Quartet - Zachary Brandon and Hannah White, violin, Freya Irani, viola, Leevy Williams, cello
2012 - Quartet Ardella - Jennifer Cha and Laura Park, violin, Devon Naftzger, viola, Ben Solomonow, cello
2009 - Quartet Danaë - Sophia Cho and Natsuki Kumagai, violin, Leah Ferguson, viola, Ben Fried, cello
2008 - Aurelia String Quartet - Susie Koh and Laura Park, violin, Arianna Smith, viola, Allan Steele, cello
Honorable Mention (2)
2015 Atara String Quartet - Karisa Chiu and Hannah White, violin, Tess Krope, viola, Krystian Chiu, cello
2012 Pallas Trio - Kelly Talim, violin, Mariel Werner, cello, Kate Liu, piano
Irving M. Klein International String Competition (June)
2021 - 4th Ria Honda, violin
2019 - 1st James Baik, cello
2018 - 2nd - Julian Rhee, violin; also, Best Performance of the Commissioned Work and the Pablo Casals Prize for the best performance of the solo Bach work.
2017 - 4th - Karisa Chiu, violin
2015 - 4th - Erika Gray, viola
2012- 2nd - Emma Steele, violin
4th - Alexandra Switala, violin
2011 - 4th- Mindy Park, cello and Daniel Cho, violin (tie)
Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award (rolling admission)
2022 - Zachary Allen, oboe (Community Music School)
2018 - Zachary Brandon, violin
2017 - Andrew Guo, piano and composition
2016 - Josiah Yoo, cello and Hannah White, violin
2015 - Mira Williams, viola
2014 - Gallia Kastner, violin
2007 - Matthew Lipman, viola
M-PRIZE International Chamber Arts Competition (May) - Note: Discontinued in 2019
1st Place
2018 - Kairos String Quartet - Joshua Brown and Julian Rhee( violin/viola), Thompson Wang, violin, Lydia Rhea, cello
2017 - Astera String Quartet - Ria Honda, violin, Hannah White, violin, Kayla Cabrera, viola, Annamarie Wellems, cello
2nd Place
2017 - Vieira String Quartet - Maya Anjali Buchanan, violin, Karisa Chiu, violin, Steven Song, viola, Nathan Mo, cello
2016 - Vibrant String Quartet - Zachary Brandon and Hannah White, violin, Freya Irani, viola, Leevy Williams, cello
3rd Place
2017 - Invictus Piano Quartet - Zachary Brandon and Joshua Brown (violin/viola), Lydia Rhea, cello, Andrew Guo, piano
2016 - Calliope Piano Trio - Karisa Chiu, violin, Nathan Mo, cello, Andrew Guo, Piano
MTNA National Competition Winners (Spring Nationals)- defunct
2016 - 1st Andrew Guo, Senior Composition
2014 - 2nd Maya Anjali Buchanan, Junior Violin
2013 - 1st Hannah White, Junior Violin
2013 - 2nd Andrew Guo, Junior Violin
2012 - 1st Jonas Tarm, Senior Composition; 2nd Ryan Jannak-Huang, Junior Piano
2010 - 1st Leah Ferguson, Senior Viola
From The Top National Radio Broadcasts (solo performances unless otherwise noted)
2022 - Matthew Hahn
2021 - Esme Arias-Kim
2020 - Esme Arias-Kim
2020 - Cameron Chiu and The Chiu Family
2018 - Kairos String Quartet (alumni group) Joshua Brown and Julian Rhee, violin; Thompson Wang, viola; Lydia Rhea, cello
2018 - Ria Honda, Julian Rhee
2017 - Zachary Brandon, Karisa Chiu, Andrew Guo, Nathan Mo, Julian Rhee
2016 - Joshua Brown, Maya Anjali Buchanan, Josiah Yoo
2014 - Erika Gray, Mira Williams,
2013 - Daniel Kaler, Gallia Kastner, Hannah White, Quartet Lumiere: Rebecca Benjamin, Gallia Kastner, Mira Williams, Josiah Yoo
2011 - Arianna Smith
2012 - Stephanie Block, Johannes Gray, Laura Park, (January and October) ,Quartet Al Dente: Caitlin Adamson, Claire Bourg, Tara Safavi, Adé Williams
2012 - Claire Bourg, Alexandra Switala, Kelly Talim, Adé Williams
2010 - Quartet Danaë: Leah Ferguson, Benjamin Fried, Sophia Kim, Zachary Spontak
2008 - Quartet Polaris: Gabriel Cabezas, Andrea Jarrett, Matthew Lipman, Vincent Meklis,
2008 - Kate Liu
2007 - Matthew Lipman
National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (January)
2018 - Silver Award, Presidential Scholar in the Arts, Julian Rhee, violin
2017 - Gold Award, Presidential Scholar in the Arts, Andrew Guo, piano
2009 – Silver Award, Presidential Scholar in the Arts, Andrea Jarret, violin
Sphinx Competition Finalists and Laureates (February)
2022 - Senior Division - Alexandra Switala, violin, finalist (alumni)
2022 - Junior Division - Jan Vargas-Nedvetsky, cello, finalist
2020 - Junior Division - Esme Arias Kim, violin, 1st Place
2020 - Senior Division - Alexandra Switala, violin, finalist (alumni)
2019 - Junior Division - Claire Arias-Kim, violin, finalist
2019 - Senior Division - Adé Williams 2nd place Laureate (alumni)
2019 - Senior Division - Hannah White, violin, finalist
2018 - Junior Division - Irina Casasnovas, violin, finalist
2018 - Junior Division - Claire Arias-Kim, violin, finalist
2018 - Senior Division - Hannah White, violin, finalist, special award achievement
2018 - Senior Division - Mira Williams, viola, finalist
2017 Junior Division - Irina Casasnovas, violin - 4th Place
2017 - Senior Division - Alexandra Switala, violin, finalist
2017 - Senior Division - Mira Williams, viola, finalist
2016 - Junior Division - Kayla Cabrera, viola finalist
2015 - Junior Division - Hannah White, violin – 1st Place; Mira Williams, viola – 2nd Place
2014 - Junior Division - Julimar Gonzalez, violin, finalist
2014 - Junior Divison - Mira Williams, viola – 2nd Place; Hannah White, violin – 3rd Place
2014 - Senior Division - Clayton Penrose-Whitmore, violin – 2nd Place
2013 Junior Division - Caitlin Adamson, viola, finalist
2013 - Junior Divisoin - Hannah White, violin finalist
2013 - Senior Division - Santiago E. Osorio, viola
2012 Junior Division - Caitlin Adamson, viola; finalist
2012 - Junior Division - Ade Williams, violin – 1st Place; Mira Williams, viola finalist
2012 - Senior Division - Gabriel Cabezas, cello – 1st Place
2011 - Junior Divison - Caitlin Adamson, viola; finalist;
2011 - Junior Division - Alexandra Alvarado Switala, violin, 1st
2011 - Junior Division - Ade Williams, violin, finalist
2010 - Junior Division - Kenneth Jones-Madrid, violin finalist
2009 Junior Division - Alexandra Alvarado Switala, violin – 2nd Place
2008 Junior Division - Clayton Penrose-Whitmore, violin – 1st Place
2008 - Junior Division - Alexandra Alvarado Switala, violin – 2nd Place
2008 - Junior Divison - Chaunte Ross, violin finalist
2007 Junior Division - Alexandra Alvarado Switala, violin finalist
2006 Junior Division - Gabriel Cabezas, cello – 1st Place
2006 - Junior Division - Clayton Penrose-Whitmore, violin – 5th Place
St. Paul String Quartet Competition (April)
Gold Medals (6)
2023 - Pelios String Quartet - Ellen Zhou, Clark Snavely, violins; Tristan Zhu viola, Amelia Zitoun, cello
2022 - Peresson String Quartet - Katya Moeller, Kelly Kim, violin, Sidney Lee, viola, Serge Kalinovsky, cello
2017 - Astera String Quartet - Hamnah White, violin, Ria Honda, violin, Kayla Cabrera, viola, Annamarie Wellems, cello
2015 - Atara String Quartet - Karisa Chiu and Hannah White, violin, Tess Krope, viola, Krystian Chiu, cello
2010 - Emerald String Quartet -Ethan Hoppe, Kenneth Jones-Madrid, Clayton Penrose-Whitmore, violin/viola, Alexander Hersh, cello
2009 - Aurelia String Quartet - Susie Koh and Laura Park, violin, Arianna Smith, viola, Allan Steele, cello
2007 - Ridere Quartet - Samantha Bennett, violin, Ryan Meehan, violin Emma Steele, violin, Mindy Park, cello
Silver Award (4)
2022 - Omaggio String Quartet - Tara Hagle, violin, Abigail Park, violin, Elinor Detmer, viola, Jan Nedvetsky, cello
2018 - Kairos String Quartet - Joshua Brown and Julian Rhee, violin/viola, Thompson Wang, violin, Lydia Rhea, cello
2017 - Vieira Quartet - Maya Anjali Buchanan and Karisa Chiu, violins, Steven Song, viola, Nathan Mo, cello
2014 - Atara String Quartet - Hannah White violin, Karisa Chiu, violin, Tess Krope, viola, Krystian Chiu, cello
Bronze Award (5)
2023 - Calcifer String Quartet - Zak Chen, Kana Aihara, violins; Leo Zupko, viola, Jan Vargas-Nedvetsky, cello
2021 - Omaggio String Quartet - Elinoir Detmer and Tara Hagle, violin; Abigail Park, viola; Jan Vargas-Nedvetsky, cello
2019 - Nova String Quartet - Irina Casasnovas, violin, John Heo, violin, Zechary Mo, viola, Cameron Chiu, cello
2016 - Quartet Degas - Joshua Brown and Maya Anjali Buchanan, violin, Tess Krope, viola, Josiah Yoo, cello
2009 - Quartet Danaë - Sophia Cho and Natsuki Kumagai, violin, Leah Ferguson, viola, Benjamin Fried, cello
2008 - Quartet Polaris - Andrea Jarrett and Vincent Meklis, violins, Matthew Lipman, viola, Gabriel Cabezas
HAYDN AWARD
2023 - (Honorable Mention) Calcifer String Quartet - Zak Chen, Kana Aihara, violins; Leo Zupko, viola, Jan Vargas-Nedvetsky, cello -
2023 - Pelios String Quartet - Ellen Zhou, Clark Snavely, violins; Tristan Zhu viola, Amelia Zitoun, cello
2022 - (BIPOC Honorable Mention) Peresson String Quartet - Katya Moeller, Kelly Kim, violin, Sidney Lee, viola, Serge Kalinovsky, cello
2021 - (Honorable Mention) Omaggio String Quartet - Elinor Detmer and Tara Hagle, violin; Abigail Park, viola; Jan Nedvetsky, cello
2014 - Atara String Quartet - Karisa Chiu and Hannah White, violin, Tess Krope, viola, Krystian Chiu, cello
2010 - Quartet Danaë - Sophia Cho and Zachary Spontak, violin, Leah Ferguson, viola, Ben Fried, cello
2009 - Quartet Danaë - Sophia Cho and Zachary Spontak, violin, Leah Ferguson, viola, Ben Fried, cello
2008 - Quartet Polaris - Andrea Jarrett, Vincent Meklis, violin, Matthew Lipman, viola, Gabrial Cabezas, cello
2007 - Zeloso String Quartet - Scot Moore and Janis Sakai, violins, Moira Bette, viola, Eliott Lee, cello
Audience Prize
2021 - Omaggio String Quartet - Elinor Detmer and Tara Hagle, violin; Abigail Park, viola; Jan Nedvetsky, cello
BIPOC Honorable Mention (Black, Indigenous, Persons Of Color)
2019 - Xena String Quartet (Claire Arias-Kim, violin, Noelle Naito, violin, Isabel Chen, viola, Camille Toubol, cello)
2012 - Audience Prize and Haydn Prize for best interpretation of the master's work - Quartet Ventoso - Jennifer Cha and Erika Gray, violin, Caitlin Adamson, viola, Johannes Gray, cello
Stradivarius International Violin Competition (July)
2013 - 3rd Laureate - Gallia Kastner
2016
2nd Laureate - Maya Anjali Buchanan
3rd Laureate - Joshua Brown
4th Laureate - Zachary Brandon
Stulberg International String Competition (May)
2023 - Gold - Amelia Zitoun, cello
2018 - Bronze - Maya Anjali Buchanan, violin
2017 - Bronze and Bach Prize - Karisa Chiu, violin; Zachary Brandon, violin, finalist
2016 - Bach Prize and Finalist - Zachary Brandon, violin
2013 - Bronze: Laura Park, violin
2012 - Gold: Matthew Lipman, viola, Bronze: Vincent Meklis, violin
2010 - Bronze: Allan Steele, cello
2007 - Ben Beilman, violin
Avery Fisher Career Grant - These Grants of $25,000 give professional assistance and recognition to talented instrumentalists who the Recommendation Board and Executive Committee believe have great potential for solo careers.
2018 - Calidore String Quartet wtih violinist Ryan Meehan
2016 - Alumnus Gabriel Cabezas, cellist
2015 - Matthew Lipman, violist
2012 - Benjamin Beilman, violinist and Conrad Tao, pianist
Thomas and Evon Cooper International Competition (July)
2022 Violin - 2nd Sameer Agrawal
2019 Violin - 2nd Isabella Brown
2017 Violin - 4th Zachary Brandon, 5th Maya Anjali Buchanan
2015 Violin - 1st (shared 1st prize) Gallia Kastner, 2nd and Audience Award Joshua Brown, 4th Karisa Chiu, 6th Maya Anjali Buchanan
2013 Violin - 4th Gallia Kastner
2011 Violin - 2nd Alexander Switala, 3rd Laura Park, 6th Kelly Talim
2010 Piano - 3rd Kate Liu
Triennial Johansen International Competition (March)
2018 - 1st Julian Rhee, violin
2015 - 3rd Maya Anjali Buchanan, violin
2012 – 1st Gallia Kastner, violin
2009 – 1st Matthew Lipman, viola; 2nd Gabriel Cabezas, cello
2006 - 3rd Ben Beilman, violin
Washington International Competition
2012 - 1st Matthew Lipman, viola
William C. Byrd International Competition (March)
2020 - Noelle Naito, violin
Regional Competitions and Significant Scholarship Awards
American Opera Society of Chicago (March)
Eleanore Pierce Scholarship
2019 John Heo, violin
2017 Nathan Mo, cello
2016 Joshua Brown, violin
2010 Lydia Umlauf
Arthur J. and Glenna B. Collins Award
2017 Julian Rhee, violin
Annual Steinway Young Artist Competition for Pianists (discontinued for a number of years)
2021
Chicago Regionals | Division III
1st place - Zachary Guo (Soo Lee)
2011 – 1st Wonjin Hahn
2010 – 1st Andrew Tung, 2nd Paul Juhn
2009 Senior Solo Division sweep 1st–4th places:
Sean Yeh (1), Andrew Tung (2), Paul Juhn (3), Adam Kim (4)
A.N. & Pearl G. Barnett Chamber Music Competition (April)
2023 - Goya Piano Trio, 1st Place Strings and Piano - Lily Sullivan, violin, Serge Kalinovsky, cello, Noah Kim, piano
Pelios String Quartet, 2nd Place Strings and Piano – Ellen, Clark, Tristan, and Amelia
2022 - Grand Award Winner: Dando Piano Trio
Honorable Mentions: Hermes Piano Trio and Peresson String Quartet (Katya Moeller, Kelly Kim, Sidney Lee, Serge Kalinovsky)
2nd Place: Omaggio String Quartet (Elinor Detmer, Abigail Park, Tara Hagle, Jan Nedvetsky)
Strings & Piano Division 1st Place Dando Piano Trio (Lily Sullivan, Myroslav Myhailenko, Mia Wimbiscus)
2019 - Grand Award Winner and Strings and Piano Division 1st Place Winner - Xena String Quartet (Claire Arias-Kim, Noelle Natio, Isabel Chen, Camille Toubol); coahced by Mathias Tacke
2018 - Grand Award Winner and Strings and Piano Division 1st Place Winner - The Kairos Quartet - Joshua Brown and Julian Rhee (violin and viola), Thompson Wang (viola) and Lydia Rhea (cello); coached by Rodolfo Vieira
2017 - Grand Award Winner and Strings and Piano Division 1st Place Winner, Vieira String Quartet -- Maya Anjali Buchanan, Karisa Chiu, Steven Song, Nathan Mo; coached by Rodolfo Vieira
2nd Place - Invictus Piano Quartet -- Joshua Brown, Zachary Brandon, Lydia Rhea, Andrew Guo (coached by Elaine Felder and Mathias Tacke)
2016 - Grand Award Winner and Strings & Piano Division1st Place Winner, Iris Piano Trio -- Ria Honda, Alexandra Kim and Natalie Nedvetsky (coached by Paul Vanderwerf and Milana Pavchinskaya)
2nd Place - Vibrante Quartet -- Hannah White, Zachary Brandon, Freya Irani, and Leevy Williams (coached by Mathias Tacke)
3rd Place - Quartet Degas -- Maya Buchanan, Joshua Brown, Tess Krope and Josiah Yoo (coached by Sang Mee Lee and Roland Vamos)
2015 - Grand Award Winner and Strings & Piano Division1st Place Winner - Fortis Piano Quartet - Joshua Brown and Kitsho Hosotani, violin/viola, Nathan Mo, cello, Daniel Szefer, piano
2nd Place - Atara String Quartet - Karisa Chiu, violin, Hannah White, violin, Tess Krope, viola, Krystian Chiu, cello
3rd - Premier Quartet - Ria Honda, violin, Nicholas Brown, violin, Katherine Gallagher, viola, Richard Li, cello
2014 - Grand Award Winner and Strings & Piano Division1st Place Winner – Trio Solaris - Gallia Kastner, violin, Nathan Walhout, cello, Andrew Guo, piano
2nd Place – Vox Quartet - Hansuh Rhee, violin, Serena Harnack, violin, Mira Williams, viola, Nathan Mo, cello
3rd Place – Atara String Quartet - Karisa Chiu, violin, Hannah White, violin, Tess Krope, violin, Krystian Chiu, cello
2013 - Grand Award Winner and Strings & Piano Division1st Place Winner – Quartet Lumiére - Gallia Kastner, violin, Rebecca Benjamin, violin, Mira Williams, viola, Josiah Yoo, cello
3rd Place - Trio Giocoso - Serena Harnack, violin, Nathan Mo, cello, Andrew Guo, piano
Crain-Maling Foundation Chicago Symphony Orchestra Youth Auditions (April)
2023 - Cello Finalist and 1st Alternate Winner - Jan Vargas-Nedvetsky
2022 - 1st Noah Kim, piano
2020 - 1st Isabella Brown, violin
1st Alternate Winner - Esme Arias-Kim, violin
Finalist - Mia Wimbiscus, cello
2018 - 1st Yerin Yang, piano
2017 - 1st Maya Anjali Buchanan, violin
1st Alternate Winner Joshua Brown, violin
Finalist - Thompson Wang, violin
HM - Isabella Brown, violin
2015 - Finalist, David Hou, piano
2014 - 1st Gallia Kastner, violin
2012 - 1st Kyle Jannak-Huang, piano
2011 - 1st Johannes Gray, cello
2009 – 1st Adam Kim, piano
2008 – 1st Gabriel Cabezas, cello
DePaul Open Division Concerto Festival Competition (January)
2023 Cello Winner
Serge Kalinovsky
Honorable Mention
Jan Vargas Nedvetsky
Lucy Wu
Violin Winner
Emily Chen
Tristan Zhu
Honorable Mention with Distinction
Clark Snavely
Honorable Mention
Leo Zupko
2022
Honorable Mention with Distinction - Jan Nedvetsky, cello
Honorable Mention - Lucy Wu, cello
Honorable Mention with Distinction - Noah Kim, piano
Honorable Mention with Distinction - Emily Chen, violin
Honorable Mention - Lauren Kim, Mingshi Xia, Tristan Zhu, violin
2021
Honorable Mention with Distinction - Mia Wimbiscus, cello
Honorable Mention - Jan Vargas Nedvetsky, cello
Honorable Mention - Sidney Lee, viola
Violin
Winners - Sameer Agrawal, Elinor Detmer, Kelly Kim
Honorable Mention with Distinction - Sonya Jones
Honorable Mention - Carrie Wang
2020
Cello Winners - Amelia Zitoun
HM - Jan Vargas Nedvetsky
Piano Winners - Ashley Kim
Violin Winners - Isabel Chen
Honorable Mention with Distinction - Esme Arias-Kim
HM - Kelly Kim and Abigail Park
Open Division Winners 2019
Cello
HM - Cameron Chiu
HM - Mia Wimbiscus
Viola 1st - Zechary Mo
Violin 1st - Sameer Agrawal
1st - Claire Arias-Kim
HM with Distinction - Kelly Kim
HM - Sonya Jones
2018 - 1st James Baik, cello
HM - Cameron Chiu and Mia Wimbiscus, cello
1st - Yerin Yang, piano
1st - John Heo,violin
Honorable Mention with Distinction - Thompson Wang, violin
HM - Claire Arias-Kim and Irina Casasnovas, violin
2017 - 1st Maya Anjali Buchanan and Zechariah Mo, violin
HM - Claire Arias Kim and Steven Song, violin
2016 - 1st Isabella Brown and Ria Honda, violin
HM Claire Arias-Kim, violin
HM with DISTINCTION Lydia Rhea, cello
HM Brendan Tarm, cello Annamarie Wellems, cello
HM Peter Morin, viola,
2015 - 1st Leevy Williams, cello
HM with Distinction - Krystian Chiu, cello
1st Katherine Gallagher, viola
1st Joshua Brown, Karisa Chiu, Steven Song, violin
HM - Kitsho Hosotani
2014 - 1st Alexandra Kim, cello
2013 - 1st Nathan Mo, cello
HM - Krystian Chiu, Leevy Williams, and Josiah Yoo
1st Mira Williams, viola
Honorable Mention with Distinction: Serena Harnack,
1st Hansuh Rhee, violin
Honorable Mention with distinction: Karisa Chiu
2012 - 1st Serena Harnack, violin
DuPage Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Audition (February)
2023- Tristan Zhu, violin
2021 - Esme Arias-Kim, Violin, Veronica Rokicki, Violin, Mia Wimbiscus, Cello
2020 - 2nd Sonya Jones; HM - Zechary Mo, viola; Linda Wang, violin; Kate Nelson, violin
2019 - 1st Isabella Brown, violin; 2nd - Irina Casasnovas, HM- Cameron Chiu and Zechary Mo
2018 - 2nd John Heo, violin, HM-Zechary Mo
2017 - 1st Thompson Wang, violin, HM - Kayla Cabrera, viola
2016 - 1st Nathan Mo, cello
2015 - 2nd Joshua Brown, violin; HM - Nicholas Brown and Steven Song, violin
2014 - 1st Katherine Gallagher, violin
2013 - 1st Serena Harnack, violin
Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra Robert Stanger Young Artist Audition (February)
2021 - 1st Elinor Detmer, violin; 2nd Esme Arias Kim, violin
2020 - 3rd Mia Wimbiscus, Cello
4th Elinor Detmer, Violin
HM Abigail Park, Violin
2016 - 1st Karisa Chiu, violin
2015 - 1st Joshua Brown, violin 3rd - Steven Song, violin
2014 - 2nd Serena Harnack, violin 4th - Steven Song, violin
2013 - 4th Serena Harnack, violin
Fox Valley Concerto Competition
2020 1st Esme Arias-Kim
2019 1st Cameron Chiu, cello; 2nd Zechary Mo, viola
2018 2nd John Heo, violin
Illinois State Music Teachers Association (ISMTA) Piano Competition North (Fall)
2021
Junior Division
3rd Place - Zachary Guo (Soo Lee)
Senior Division
2nd Place - Kimiko Darcy (Matthew Hagle)2020
Third: Zachary Guo
Senior Piano Solo Division
Second: Kimiko Darcy
Jules M. Laser Chamber Music Competition (discontinued in 2015)
Music Institute ensembles have taken first place in each of the past six years.
2014 --1st Atara String Quartet - Karisa Chiu, violin, Hannah White, violin, Tess Krope, viola, Krystian Chiu, cello
2nd Vox String Quartet - Hansuh Rhee, violin, Serena Harnack, violin, Mira Williams, viola, Nathan Mo, cello
2013 – 1st Quartet Lumiére - Gallia Kastner and Rebecca Benjamin, violin, Mira Williams, viola, Josiah Yoo, cello
2012 – 1st Quartet Ventoso - Erika Gray, violin, Jennifer Cha, violin, Caitlin Adamson, viola, Johannes Gray, cello
2011 – 1st Okemo String Quartet - Ade Williams, violin, Hansuh Rhee, violin, Mira Williams, viola, Josiah Yoo, cello
2010 – 1st Emerald String Quartet - Alexander Jones-Madrid, Ethan Hoppe, Clayton Penrose-Whitmore, violin/viola, Alexander Hersh, cello
2nd Quartet Danae - Zachary Spontak, violin, Sophia Cho, violin, Leah Ferguson, viola, Benjamin Fried, cello
2009 – 1st Aurelia String Quartet - Laura Park, violin, Susie Koh, violin, Arianna Smith, viola, Allan Steele, cello
Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra's Arthur D. Montzka Young Artists Concerto Competition (January)
2023 - Runner Up Neal Eisfeldt, violin
2022 - 1st Esme Arias-Kim violin
HM - Abigail Park, violin
2020 - 1st Isabella Brown, violin
2019 - 1st John Heo, violin
2018 - Runner-Up John Heo, violin
2017 - 1st Maya Anjali Buchanan, violin
2016- 1st Karisa Chiu, violin, Runner-up Alexandra Kim, cello
2015 - 1st Nathan Mo, cello
Lakeview Orchestra Concerto Competition
2022
Second Place: Jan Vargas Nedvetsky, cello
Honorable Mention: Esme Arias-Kim, violin
Honorable Mention: Sidney Lee, viola
2020 - Runner-up Sidney Lee, violin
2019 - 1st Isabella Brown, violin
2017- 1st Claire Arias-Kim, violin
Music Festival in Honor of Confucius Competition (November)
2020 and 2021 were canceled
2019
1st - Abigail Park
2nd - Sonya Jones
2018
Finalists Junior II
Sameer Agrawal, student of Sang Mee Lee
Senior
Sonya Jones, student of Almita Vamos and Davis King
Abigail Park, student of Almita Vamos
Honorable Mention
Linda Wang, student of Almita Vamos and Hye-Sun Lee
2017- Honorable Mention - Claire Arias-Kim, student of Almita Vamos,
2015
VIOLIN SENIOR
1st - John Heo, student of Almita Vamos
3rd - Karisa Chiu, student of Almita Vamos
VIOLIN JUNIOR II
1st - Isabella Brown, student of Almita and Roland Vamos/ Hannah Lin (tie)
CELLO SENIOR
2nd - Nathan Mo, student of Hans Jensen
CELLO JUNIOR I
2nd - Mia Wimbiscus, student of Gilda Barston
2014
VIOLIN – JUNIOR 2
1st - Joshua Brown
VIOLIN – SENIOR
2nd - Nicholas Brown
3rd - Tabby Rhee
CELLO – SENIOR
1st - Josiah Yoo
2nd (tie) - Annamarie Wellems
2nd (tie) - Nathan Mo
Musicians Club of Women Scholarship Competition (March)
2022 Sidney Lee, viola and Esme Arias Kim, violins; shared 1st place Nerenberg Award Junior Division
Claire Bourg*, violin - Nerenberg Award, Senior Division and Ayoun Kim*, cello - Farwell Trust Award
2021 Katya Moeller, violin, Mira Williams*, viola Nerenberg Award
2019 Esme Arias Kim, violin - Farwell Trust Award
2018 Irina Casasnovas - Farwell Trust Award
2017 Tabby Rhee* - Jerome and Elaine Nerenberg Foundation Scholarship
2017 Alexandra Switala* - Farwell Trust Award
2017 Maya Anjali Buchanan - Farwell Trust Award
2016 Karisa Chiu - The Jerome and Elaine Nerenberg Foundation Scholarship
2016 Hannah White - The Farwell Trust Award
2015 Serena Harnack - The Farwell Trust Award
2014 Hansuh Rhee - The Jerome and Elaine Nerenberg Foundation Scholarship
2013 Gallia Kastner - The Jerome and Elaine Nerenberg Foundation Scholarship
2013 Ade Williams - The Farwell Trust Award
2012 Kelly Talim - The Edith Newfield Award
2012 Claire Bourg - The Farwell Trust Award
*Alumna
Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) State Competitions (Fall)
2021
Illinois Junior Piano Performance – 26 entries
Honorable Mention - Zachary Guo (Soo Lee)
Illinois Senior Piano Performance- 22 entries
Winner – Ashley Kim (James Giles, Matthew Hagle)
Honorable Mention – Kimiko Darcy (Matthew Hagle)
Illinois Senior Performance String-15 entries
Winner – Isabella Brown, violin (Almita Vamos)
Alternate – Esme Arias-Kim, violin (Almita Vamos)
Honorable Mention – Sidney Lee, viola (Roland Vamos and Davis King) and Mia Wimbiscus (Hans Jensen)
Iowa State Winner - Katya Moeller, violin (Almita Vamos) and West Central Divison - Senior-Alternate Winner
2020-2021
Senior strings
First place: Isabella Brown
Alternate: Esme Arias-Kim
Honorable mention: Sidney Lee
Honorable mention: Mia Wimbiscus
NOTE: Katya Moeller, First place, Iowa State Winner
Senior piano
First place: Ashley Kim
Honorable mention: Kimiko Darcy
Junior piano
Honorable mention: Zachary Guo
MYA Discover National Chamber Music Competition (February)
Chicago National Chamber Competition (formerly Discover Competition)
2023- Goya Piano Trio- Lily SUlivan ,violin, Serge Kalinovsky, cello, Noah Kim, piano
2020 - Overall and Open Strings Winner - Insieme Piano Trio – Sonya Jones: violin/viola, Abigail Park: violin/viola, Ashley Kim: piano
Infini Quartet – Honorable Mention (Open Strings Category) Sameer Agrawal: violin, Linda Wang: violin/viola, Kelly Kim: violin/viola, Mia Wimbiscus: cello
2016 - Open Division Overall Winner and Strings and Piano Category Winner - Calliope Trio (Karisa Chiu, violin; Nathan Mo, cello; Andrew Guo, piano)
Overall and String/Piano Division Winner Honorable Mention - Cantare Piano Quintet - Seoyun Baek, piano; Isabella Brown, Barbara Juminaga, Zechary Mo, violins/viola; Mia Wimbiscus, cello
2015 - Open Division Overall Winner and Strings and Piano Category Winner - Ètoile Quartet (Gallia Kastner, violin; Serena Harnack, violin; Freya Irani, viola; Alexandra Kim, cello)
Strings and Piano Honorable Mention - Atara String Quartet (Karisa Chiu, violin; Hannah White, violin; Tess Krope viola; Krystian Chiu, cello) and Fortis Piano Quartet (Kitsho Hosotani, violin; Joshua Brown, violin; Nathan Mo, cello; Daniel Szefer, piano)
2014 - Overall Winner and Strings Category Winner - Vox Quartet - (Hansuh Rhee, violin; Serena Harnack, violin; Nathan Mo, cello; Mira Williams, viola)
Honorable Mention Atara String Quartet - (Karisa Chiu, violin; Hannah White, violin; Tess Krope viola; Krystian Chiu, cello)
Previous Awards: In 2015, won the Open Division Overall Winner and Strings/Piano Category Winner (Gallia Kastner, Serena Harnack, Freya Irani and Alexandra Kim) and the Atara String Quartet (Hannah White, Karisa Chiu, Tess Krope, and Krystian Chiu) and Fortis Piano Quartet (Kitsho Hosotani, Joshua Brown, Nathan Mo, and Daniel Szefer) received Strings/ Piano Honorable Mention. In 2014, the Overall Division Winner and Strings Category Winner went to the VOX String Quartet (Hansuh Rhee, Gallia Kastner, Mira Williams, Nathan Mo).
MYA Walgreen National Concerto Competition (December)
2023
SENIOR OPEN DIVISION
Strings Winner: Clark Snavely, 17, violin student of Almita Vamos
Simon Updegraff, 15, cello student of Avi Friedlander, Early Music Honorable Mention
Jan Vargas Nedvetsky, 16, cello student of Hans Jensen, Early Music Honorable Mention
Ethan Zheng, 16, piano student of Marta Aznavoorian, Piano Honorable Mention
JUNIOR OPEN DIVISION
Strings Winner: Neal Eisfeldt, 13, violin student of Almita Vamos and Injoo Choi
2021
Open junior division: Lauren Kim, violin
Grand Prize Winner: Kayta Moeller, violin
Open senior division, Katya Moeller, violin
2020
Open Junior division:
Early Music Category Honorable Mention Jan Vargas-Nedvetsky
Open Senior Division
Open Senior Division and Overall Open Division Winner and String Category Winner Esme Arias-Kim
Open Senior Division String Category Honorable Mention: Isabel Chen
Early Music Category Winner: Isabel Chen, 17, Northbrook, violin, Almita Vamos
2020
SENIOR OPEN DIVISION
Zechary Mo, viola (Strings HM)
Ashley Kim, piano (Piano HM)
JUNIOR OPEN DIVISION
Early Music Winner - Esme Arias Kim, viola
Jan Nedvetsky, cello - (Strings HM)
2018 Junior Open Division Strings Category
Honorable Mention: Sameer Agrawal, violin student of Sang Mee Lee
Senior Open Division Strings Category
Honorable Mention: Zechary Mo, viola student of Almita Vamos
2017 Senior Open Division
Julian Rhee, violin - Winner
John Heo, violin - Honorable Mention
2016 Senior Division Winners
Karisa Chiu, violin - winner, and Overall Senior Open Division Winner
Julian Rhee, violin - honorable mention
Nathan Mo, cello - honorable mention
Brendan Tarm, cello - honorable mention
2015 Senior Division Winners
Overall Winner - Zachary Brandon, violin
String Division Winner - Zachary Brandon, violin
String Division Honorable Mention
Leevy Williams, cello
Karisa Chiu, violin
Alexandra Kim, cello
Junior Division Winners
String Division Winner - Isabella Brown, violin
2014
Open Category Senior Division
String Category Honorable Mention
Joshua Brown, violin
Nicholas Brown, violin
Karisa Chiu, violin
Serena Harnack, violin
Krystian Chiu, cello
Nathan Mo, cello
Junior String Division
John Heo, violin
2013
Open Senior Division Results
Overall Open Division Winner and String Category Winner (will perform in February at Symphony Center)
Hansuh Rhee, violin
Honorable Mentions (String Category)
Serena Harnack, violin
Alexandra Kim, cello
Nathan Mo, cello
Steven Song, violin
Open Junior Division Results
String Category Co-Winner - Maya Anjali Buchanan, violin
Honorable Mention (String Category)
Kitsho Hosotani, violin
Rembrandt Chamber Players Music Competition (January)
2023 Goya Piano Trio (Lily Sullivan, violin, Serge Kalinovsky, cello, Noah Kim, piano)
2022 - HM - Peresson String Quartet - Kelly Kim, Katya Moeller, Sidney Lee, Serge Kalinovsky
2021 Second Place: Carmen Quartet - Katharine Nelson, Veronica Rokicki, Kimberly LaFranzo, Ethan Raviv
Honorable Mentions: Salice Piano Quartet - Myroslav Mykhailenko, Carrie Wang, Angelica She
Zephyr String Quartet - Esme Arias-Kim, Isabel Chen, Sidney Lee, Mia Wimbiscus
2020 -- Aurora Piano Quartet - Sidney Lee, violin, Elinor Detmer, violin, Colin Song, piano, Amelia Zitoun
2019 -- 2nd Xena String Quartet - Claire Arias-Kim, violin, Noelle Naitio, violin, Isabel Chen, viola, Camille Toubol, cello
HM - Fiero String Quartet - Isabella Brown, violin, Kaylin Liu, violin, Elena Galantas, viola, Alun Hayut, cello
2018 -- 1st Kairos String Quartet - Julian Rhee, violin, Thompson Wang, violin, Joshua Brown, Lydia Rhea, cello
2017 -- 1st Vieira String Quartet - Karisa Chiu, violin, Maya Anjali Buchanan, violin,
Song, viola, Nathan Mo, cello
2016 -- HM Quartet Degas - Joshua Brown, violin, Maya Anjali Buchanan, violin, Tess Krope, viola, Josiah Yoo, cello
2015 -- 1st Etoile String Quartet - Serena Harnack, violin, Gallia Kastner, violin, Freya Irani, viola, Ayoun Alexandra Kim, cello
2014 -- 1st Vox String Quartet - Serena Harnack, violin, Hansuh Rhee, violin, Mira Williams, viola, Nathan Mo, cello
HM - Trio Anima - Trio Anima Steven Song, violin, Leevy Williams, cello, David Hou, piano
2009 – 1st Aurelia String Quartet - Laura Park, violin, Susie Koh, violin, Arianna Smith, viola, Allan Steele, cello
Sejong Music Competition (November)
2022
Violin Junior Division Winner & Best Interpretation of a Korean Piece – Neal Eisfeldt, student of Almita Vamos and Injoo Choi
Violin Senior Division – 3rd place – Lauren Kim, student of Almita Vamos and Injoo Choi
Piano Senior Division Best Interpretation of a Korean Piece – Ethan Zheng, student of Marta Aznavoorian
2021
Violin Senior Division
First - Esme Arias-Kim (Almita Vamos)
Second - Abigail Park (Almita Vamos)
Finalists: Sonya Jones (Almita Vamos and Davis King) and Kelly Kim (Almita Vamos)
Piano Senior Division
Honorable Mention: Zachary Guo (Soo Lee)
2020
Violin Senior Division
First: Esme Arias-Kim
Second: Abigail Park
Finalist: Sonya Jones
Finalist: Kelly Kim
Piano Senior Division
Honorable Mention: Zachary Guo
2019
VIOLIN SENIOR DIVISION
First place: Noelle Naito
Third: Jonah Kartman
Honorable Mention: Esme-Arias Kim
2018
VIOLIN SENIOR DIVISION
First Place & Best Interpretation Korean piece:
Isabella Brown
Second Place & Best Interpretation Korean piece:
Katya Moeller
Honorable Mention: Claire Arias-Kim
Honorable Mention: Sidney Lee
VIOLIN JUNIOR DIVISION
First Place & Best Interpretation Korean piece:
Esme Arias-Kim
Second Place & Best Interpretation Korean piece:
Sameer Agrawal
2017
SENIOR STRING DIVISION
1st Place - Ria Honda, violin,
2nd Place - Thompson Wang, violin
3rd Place - John Heo, violin
HM - Claire Arias Kim
Best interpretation of a Korean piece: John Heo
2016
SENIOR STRING DIVISION
1st Place - Zachary Brandon
2nd Place - Ria Honda
3rd Place - Claire Arias-Kim
HM-Thompson Wang
Best Interpretation of a Korean piece: Zachary Brandon
2015
SENIOR PIANO DIVISION
1st - John Schindler
Best Interpretation of a Korean piece - John Schindler
SENIOR VIOLIN DIVISION
1st Place - Karisa Chiu
2nd Place - Zachary Brandon
HM - Ria Honda, John Heo
Best Interpretation of a Korean Piece - Karisa Chiu
2014
SENIOR VIOLIN DIVISION
1st - Joshua Brown
2nd - Karisa Chiu
3rd - Serena Harnack
Honorable Mention - Nicholas Brown
JUNIOR VIOLIN DIVISION
2nd - John Heo
Best Interpretation of a Korean Piece - John Heo
Skokie Valley Symphony Young Artist Winners since 2007
2016-17 1st Maya Anjali Buchanan, violin, 2nd Place Tabby Rhee (alumna), viola
2015-16 1st place Joshua Brown, violin; 2nd place Karisa Chiu, violin; HM Maya Anjali Buchanan, violin and Nathan Mo, cello
2011-12, 1st place Gallia Kastner, violin; 2nd place, Claire Bourg
2010-11, 1st place Alexandra Switala, violin
2009-10, 1st place, Zachary Spontak, violin; 2nd place, Kate Liu, piano
2008-09, 2nd place, Benjamin Lash cello
2007-08, 1st place Natsuki Kumagai, violin
Society of American Musicians (January - February)
2022 - 1st: Jan Vargas Nedvetsky, cello
2021
Intermediate Division
2nd Place: Violin Intermediate Contestant #11 Kelly Kim
Senior Division
1st Place: Violin Senior Contestant #1 Sameer Agrawal
Honorable Mention: Violin Senior Contestant #13 Sonya Jones
2020
Violin Senior 1st Place - Isabel Chen
Viola Senior 1st Place - Zechariah Mo
Cello Senior - HM - Jan Nedvetsky
2018
Violin Intermediate Division 2nd - Kaylin Liu
Cello Intermediate Division 1st- Cameron Chiu
2017
Violin young Artist Division 1st - Julian Rhee
Viola Senior Division 1st - Tabby Rhee, alumna
2015
Cello - Senior Division
1st - Annamarie Wellems
2nd - Leevy Williams
Violin - Senior Division
2nd Place - Joshua Brown
Honorable Mention - Steven Song
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INDIANA
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's Maurer Young Musicians Contest
2023 - Lily Sullivan, violin
Carmel Symphony Orchestra's (CSO) 35th Young Artists Competition
2021 - 1st Runner Up Serge Kalinovski, cello
2015 - 1st Lydia Rhea, cello
Fort Wayne Philharmonic Concerto Competition
2017 – 1st Lydia Rhea, cello
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's Side-by-Side Program Concerto Competition
2021 - Serge Kalinovsky, cello
2017 – 1st Lydia Rhea, cello
Orchestra Indiana’s Patricia Tretick Young Artist Competition (formerly Muncie Symphony Orchestra Competition)
2023 - Senior Divsion Winner - Serge Kalinovsky, cello
2017 - Silver Medal, Lydia Rhea, cello
2023 International Young Artists Concerto Competition
Runner-up - Serge Kalinovsky, cello
New World Youth Orchestra's Young Artist Competition
2016 - 1st Senior Division - Lydia Rhea, cello
WISCONSIN
Schubert Club Student Scholarship Competition
2023 - Strings 2 division - 1st Place, Amelia Zitoun
Finalist - Kana Aihara
Strings 1 division - 2nd place, Lucy Wu
Concord Chamber Orchestra, Walter A. and Dorothy J. Oestreich Concerto Competition
2023 - 1st Runner Up - Clark Snavely, violin
Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Young Artist Competition,
2023 - Winner and recipient of the David Lewis Crosby Scholarship, Clark Snavely, violin
Wisconsin Philharmonic Shining Stars Competition
2023 - Bryant Scholarship Winner UW - Madison Mead Witter School of Music, Zak Chen, violin
2023 - Tuition Waiver Award Winner, Zak Chen, violin
Bolz Young Artist Competition, The Final Forte
2023 - 1st Amelia Zitoun, cello Lucy Wang, cello finalist
2022 - 1st Ellen Zhou, violin, Zak Chen, violin finalist
2021 - Carrie Wang, violin, HM
2020 - Jonah Kartman, violin finalist
2017 - 1st Julian Rhee, violin
2016 - 2nd Tabby Rhee, viola
2015 - HM Freya Irani, viola
LaCrosse Symphony Orchestra Rising Star Young Artist Competition
2021 - 3rd place, Carrie Wang, violin
2020 - 2nd place, Katya Moeller, violin
2019 - Zechary Mo, viola and Claire Arias-Kim, violin, Finalists
2017 - 1st Julian Rhee, violin
Milwaukee Civic Music Competition Scholarship
2023 - Zak Chen, violin
2022 - Zak Chen, violin
2018 - Julian Rhee, violin
2017 - Julian Rhee, violin
IOWA
2018 - MTNA State Winner - 1st Katya Moeller, violin
MICHIGAN
2021 Arbor Symphony Young Artists Concerto Competition - Lily Sullivan, violin