Awards 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 
 
 

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

2013 -  Ade Williams, 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 - Kana Aihara, Zak Chen, 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 - Kana Aihara, Zak Chen, 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

2018 - Bronze - Maya Anjali Buchanan

2017 - Bronze and Bach Prize - Karisa Chiu, violin; Zachary Brandon, 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 - Jan Vargas-Nedvetsky, cello finalist

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 DetmerKelly 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 MentionsSalice 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

 

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INDIANA

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

 

Muncie Symphony Orchestra Competition    

2017 - Silver Medal, Lydia Rhea, cello

 

New World Youth Orchestra's Young Artist Competition  

2016 - 1st Senior Division - Lydia Rhea, cello

 

WISCONSIN

Bolz Young Artist Competition, The Final Forte

2023 - 1st Amelia Zitoun, cello Lucy Wang, cello finalist

2022 - 1st Ellen Zhou, violin

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

2018 - Julian Rhee, violin

2017 - Julian Rhee, violin

 

IOWA

2018 - MTNA State Winner - 1st  Katya Moeller, violin