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2025 Adelphi Orchestra Young Artist Competition Finalists College Dylan Hamme (Violin) Nicole Yun (Violin) Miranda Isbitts (Violin) Blues Zhang (Violin) Seniors Shaw Edwards (Cello) Anthony Yang (Violin) Hana Tsai (Violin) Nicholas Kim (Cello) Ji Hyo Kim (Violin) Sarah Spitzer (Viola) Juniors Ellie Liu (Violin) Ria Kang (Violin) Emily Sun (Cello) Oliver Mar (Cello) Valerie Bai (Violin) Message
College Division Nicole Yun (Violin) Korngold: Violin Concerto- movement 1 Nicole Yun is a 22-year-old violinist currently at The Juilliard School studying with Donald Weilerstein and Catherine Cho. Previously, she attended the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Pre-College where she studied with Ian Swensen and Eric Chin as prior to that were Li Lin and Wei He. Nicole has won numerous awards as a violin virtuoso. She performed as a soloist with the Diablo Valley College Philharmonic Orchestra, winning First Prize and the DVC Philharmonic Award at the DVC/HNU Young Artist String Competition. Other first place awards include the American Protégé International Concerto Competition in Carnegie Hall, United States International Music Competition, Music in the Vineyards Competition, and The Korean-American Music Supporters Association Competition. In the past years, she won prizes from multiple competitions such as the United States Open Music Competition, VOCE State Finals Competition, Coltman Chamber Music Competition, Korea Times competitions, and Fremont Symphony Orchestra Young Recitalist Competition. This year, she attended the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival where she worked with astounding groups such as the Brentano Quartet, Dover Quartet, and the Parker Quartet. Nicole participated in other summer music festivals including Vivace Virtual music festival, Bowdoin International Music Festival, Orford International Music Festival, and Kent Blossom Music Festival, where she performed in the Cleveland Orchestra alongside Concertmaster Peter Otto. Nicole was previously a first violinist in the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra and participated in the 2019 Europe tour, performing in prestigious halls such as Berlin Philharmonie, Vienna Musikverein and Elbphilharmonie. Nicole has performed in master classes for acclaimed artists such as Ida Kavafian, Ani Kavafian, Daniel Phillips, Axel Strauss, Nikki Chooi, William Van Der Sloot, Danielle Belen, Robin Scott, Helen Kim, Florin Parvulescu, Tanya Tomkins and Peabody String Quartet.
Blues Zhang (Violin) Bruch: Scottish Fantasy - 4th movement 20-year-old violinist Blues Zhang is pursuing his Bachelor’s degree at The Juilliard School under the tutelage of Catherine Cho. Born into a musical family, Zhang first studied violin with his mother Zhang Xi, 1st violinist of the Hong Kong Philharmonia Orchestra. He went on to pursue studies with Jeremy Williams and Martin Beaver at The Colburn Music Academy. Zhang was the winner of the Colburn Music Academy Concerto Competition, as well as a finalist in the Juilliard Concerto Competition and the Musicus Society Young Artist Audition. He was also awarded first prize in the HKGNA International Music Competition, Concerto Class of Hong Kong Youth Catania Music Competition, and was the first runner-up in the Hong Kong Strings Scholarship for Stringed Instruments. An active orchestral musician, Zhang served as concertmaster of the Colburn Academy Virtuosi, Diocesan Boys’ School’s String Orchestra, and the Hong Kong Camerata Strings. He is also a substitute musician in the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. His festival appearances include Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, Yellow Barn Young Artist Program, Kneisel Hall, Meadowmount School, New York String Orchestra, Heifetz International Music Institute, and the Asian Youth Orchestra. Zhang has appeared as a soloist on NPR’s From the Top (Show #431), Colburn Academy Virtuosi, and Hong Kong Youth Orchestra. He has also performed in various masterclasses with Paul Kantor, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Clive Greensmith, Frank Huang, Kirill Troussov, Pavlo Beznosiuk, and Tatjana Masurenko. In chamber music settings, Zhang has worked and collaborated with members from the Brentano, Dover, Emerson, Juilliard, Orion, and Parker string quartets. His quartet is part of the Juilliard’s Honors Chamber Program which recently made its debut at Alice Tully Hall. Zhang is a recipient of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Music and Dance Fund, Greendale Scholarship, Dorothy Delay Scholarship, and Mai Family Scholarship.
Miranda Isbitts (Violin) Sibelius: Violin concerto first movement Miranda is a 19-year old violinist from Clearwater, FL and began playing at age 5. Throughout high school, she studied with Mimi Zweig, and was a leading participant in The Jacobs School of Music‘s Violin Virtuosi ensemble. With Violin Virtuosi, she gave various group and solo performances across several states. Miranda has won many competitions at the local, national, and international level, including the Maurer Young Musicians Competition, Justine Lebaron Young Artist Competition, Essential Music String Concerto Competition, Sherer International Violin and Piano Competition, and more. She has also performed as a soloist with various orchestras, including The Florida Orchestra, The Bloomington Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Carmel Symphony Orchestra and The Indianapolis Youth Symphony. Miranda has performed in masterclasses for Vadim Gluzman, Kerson Leong, Robin Scott, Almita Vamos, Joel Smirnoff, Nancy Zhou, and other prominent artists. Miranda is currently a first-year undergraduate at the New England Conservatory of Music. She is majoring in violin performance, with a primary focus on baroque music/style. She studies with Professor Ayano Ninomiya. Her Gand and Bernardel violin is generously on loan from The Friedman Family.
Dylan Hamme (Violin) Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No 1 Rising young violinist Dylan Hamme was winner of The Juilliard School’s 2024 Ligeti Violin Concerto Competition and performed as soloist on April 8 at Alice Tully Hall with Juilliard Orchestra conducted by Jeffrey Milarsky. Dylan is a senior at The Juilliard School where he studies with Areta Zhulla as recipient of the Dorothy Delay scholarship. He previously was a student of Catherine Cho and his other teachers and mentors include Scott Yoo, Ying Fu, Ray Iwazumi, and Amelia Gold. An avid chamber and orchestral musician, Dylan is in demand with various ensembles including the GRAMMY-nominated North/South Consonance Ensemble, and has performed under the baton of acclaimed conductors Scott Yoo, Carlos Miguel Prieto, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, David Robertson, Christian Reif, Xian Zhang, Kevin John Edusei, Christoph Eschenbach, Jeffrey Milarsky, and Alan Gilbert. Dylan was a member of Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra (NYO-USA) and was invited to perform in the NYO-USA All-Stars Concert at Carnegie Hall in March 2024. Previously Dylan was part of the AIMS Festival Orchestra in Graz, Austria, the Colorado College Summer Festival Orchestra, and the Schleswig-Holstein Festival Orchestra (assistant concertmaster), all on full fellowship. This past summer Dylan returned to the Colorado College Summer Festival as both violinist and assistant conductor and also joined several Juilliard colleagues in the EAMA (European American Musical Alliance) Resident String Quartet at the EAMA Summer Music Institute in Paris, France. Dylan has performed in masterclasses for violinists including Joseph Silverstein, Jennifer Koh, and Rainer Honeck. An avid composer as well, he has received commissions from NYC-based ensembles.
Senior Division Anthony Yang (Violin) Bartok: Rhapsody No. 1, Sz. 87 Canadian-born violinist Anthony Yang began playing the violin at age five in Shenyang, China. He studied with Karl Rainer at the Nanaimo Conservatory and briefly with Gwen Hoebig before relocating to Cleveland. In recent summers, Anthony has studied with Paul Kantor and Ivan Zenaty at the Meadowmount School of Music, Cho Liang Lin and William van der Sloot at Orford Musique Festival, and Jinjoo Cho at the Encore Chamber Music Institute. In chamber music, Anthony has worked with members of the Cavani, Orion, Verona, Catalyst, and St. Petersburg quartets. Anthony’s solo appearances include engagements with the Firelands Symphony and the Euclid Symphony Orchestra as the Tom Baker Young Artists Competition winner. A scholarship recipient from the British Columbia Arts Council, Anthony currently studies with Malcolm Lowe in the Young Artist Program at the Cleveland Institute of Music.
Ji Hyo Kim (Violin) Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D minor, op.47, mvmt I Ji Hyo Kim is a 16-year-old violinist studying under Professor Jinjoo Jeon at the Seoul Central Conservatory. She has participated in and won numerous competitions in South Korea, Europe, and the United States. She was a 3rd place winner of the Camerata Artists International Competition, 1st place winner of the 2023 International Romani Pitesti Competition and the Grand Prix winner of the 2024 Korea Mozart Competition. Recently, she was named Top 5 finalist at the 2024 Association for Music in International Schools (AMIS) solo and ensemble festival. Furthermore, she was a finalist for the 2023 Ensemble 212 Young Artist Competition and a third place winner of the 12th Korea Young Artist Competition. Ji Hyo has participated in masterclasses with Marko Komonko of the Lviv National Philharmonic and Nicholas Kitchen of the New England Conservatory. She enjoys reading and running in her free time.
Sarah Spitzer (Viola) Walton: Concerto for Viola and Orchestra, I. Andante comodo Sarah Spitzer, classical violist, enlightens audiences with her rich tone and virtuosic performances. After starting music lessons on piano at only age 4, she quickly took to the violin, eager to express her musical affinity. She attended summer music intensives such as Kinhaven Music School's Senior Session where she sat as concertmaster on pieces such as Respighi's Pines of Rome and Valerie Coleman's Seven O'Clock Shout. At Kinhaven she discovered the beautiful viola parts within a string quartet, which prompted her recent switch to this instrument. After only a few months as a violist, she was admitted to the grammy-award winning New York Youth Symphony, where she performs in tri-annual concerts at Carnegie Hall, playing standard repertoire such as Brahms 4th Symphony and Strauss' Death and Transfiguration, as well as premiering commissioned pieces specifically for the NYYS. Sarah has also been a member of the Chamber Music Center of NY's Camerata Orchestra and was part of a piano trio that was featured at Hoff Barthelson Music School's Spring Benefit Gala, performing alongside esteemed soloist Leila Josefowicz. Sarah frequently enjoys sharing her craft within the broader community, volunteering at senior residences, veterans homes, libraries, and churches. She plans to continue her musical career at a top university/music school in the US such as Oberlin Conservatory, Eastman School of Music or The Juilliard School.
Nicholas Kim (Cello) Dvorak: Cello Concerto (III. Finale. Allegro Moderato) Nicholas Kim first began his studies at the Pre-College Division of the Manhattan School of Music in 2015 at 8 years old. He is currently a scholarship student under the tutelage of Marion Feldman since 2020 and additional studies have been with Madeleine Golz, Brannon Cho, Sondra Tammam, and Adam Kent. Kim made his debut at the Neidorff-Karpati Hall of the Manhattan School of Music at just eleven years old under conductor Felipe Tristan as the First Prize winner of the schools concerto competition. Kim was named a finalist at the senior division of the 2025 Adelphi Orchestra Young Artists Competition and the XI Camerata Artists International Competition. He was also named a 2024 From the Top Fellow/Finalist and was broadcasted on National Public Radio. Following his debut, some of his most prestigious accolades include being a recipient of the 2025 Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Artist Award, being named a 2025 YoungArts Winner by the National Foundation for the Advancement of Artists, advancing to the semi-finals of the 2025 Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Program, winning the Aaron Rosand Memorial First Prize at the NYYPP, among others. Last year he was awarded First Prize of the Manhattan School of Music Philharmonic Concerto Competition with his performance of the Dvorak Cello Concerto with the MSM Philharmonic under Nathan Hetherington. Kim has appeared with various orchestras including the Camerata Orchestra of NJ, the New Sussex Symphony, the Summit Symphony, the MSM Repertory, the MSM Philharmonic, among others. His recent performances have spanned distinguished venues, including Stern and Weill Halls at Carnegie Hall, National Sawdust, the United Palace Theatre, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Kim has appeared on broadcasting stations WQXR, National Public Radio, and From The Top. As a member of the Grammy-winning New York Youth Symphony, Nicholas was awarded the 2024 Music Bridge aVargas-Vetter/Ukena Fellowship as well. He has collaborated with musicians Augustin Hadelich, Zhu Wang, Clayton Stephenson, and Alexa Jarvis. Kim plays on a Lucchi cello bow generously on loan from The Maestro Foundation and a 1996 David Caron Cello also generously on loan from the Virtu Foundation. This summer, Kim will be attending Morningside t the New England Conservatory on a full scholarship.
Shaw Edwards (Cello) Schumann - Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 129 Movement I. Nicht zu schnell Edwards is a student of Clara Kim at the Juilliard School. He was a member of Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra of the United States in 2024 and traveled to Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. He will return to the NYO this summer for a tour of China, Japan and South Korea. His piano trio was a semi-finalist in the 2025 Coltman Competition and an alternate in the 2024 Fischoff Competition. He was a finalist in the Adelphi Competition in 2024. Also in 2024, he was a YoungArts Winner, won the Grand Prix (top prize) for cello in the French Nouvelle Etoiles Competition, placed third in the Lyra International Music Competition, and placed first in the Bellagrande International Music Competition. In 2023 he placed first in the Bellagrande Competition, the North International Music Competition, the Berlioz International Music Competition, and Carl Reinecke Music Competition (taking Absolute First Prizes for both Concerto and Young Artist in the latter). In 2022, he won First Prize in the National Symphony Orchestra's SMI Concerto Competition and performed the Lalo Cello Concerto (first movement) in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. He played in the New York Youth Symphony Chamber program from 2019-2021 and was part of the Mika string quartet out of the Kaufman Center from 2013-2017. He was a student of Yari Bond from 2016-2019.
Hana Tsai (Violin) Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto E Minor OP.64 - 1st mov. Hana Tsai, 16, developed a love for classical music at a young age. She began studying violin at four and currently attends the Juilliard Pre-College Program under Elizabeth Chang. She has won top awards in competitions such as the MTNA NY Senior String Competition, International Grand Music Competition, Vivo International Competition, New York Concert Festival International Competition, and Prima Volta Competition. She has performed at venues including Carnegie Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Mary Flagler Cary Hall. An avid chamber musician, Hana has been part of the New York Youth Symphony Chamber Music Program since 2021 and attends the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival each summer. She has participated in masterclasses with distinguished musicians and ensembles, including Molly Carr, Melissa White, Amy Yang, Wolfram Koessel, Daniel Phillips, Shai Wosner, Raman Ramakrishnan, the Ariel Quartet, and the Balourdet Quartet. Beyond performance, Hana actively shares classical music with the community through outreach concerts, striving to make it more accessible and enrich underprivileged communities.
Junior Division Ria Kang (Violin) Vivaldi: Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 8, RV 315, “Summer” (L'estate) 9-year-old Ria Kang began her musical journey at the tender age of 4. She is a student of Catherine Cho at Juilliard, having been accepted into the Pre-College program at the age of 7. She previously studied with Sheryl Staples, Joseph Lin, and Marvin Moon. Ria was a first-prize winner at the 2024 Arthur Grumiaux International Violin Competition and has won first place in various other competitions, including the Camerata Artists International Competition, New York International Music Festival & Concours, New York Young Virtuoso Competition, Music International Grand Prix, and Philadelphia International Music Festival Concerto Competition. She made her orchestral debut with the Seocho Philharmonia at the age of 9 and has attended prestigious music programs such as Tibor Varga Academy, Sounding Point Academy, Heifetz Institute, and Philadelphia International Music Festival. Ria has performed at renowned venues, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Merkin Hall, having first performed at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall at the age of 6. In 2024, she performed at the Juilliard Celebration concert at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater and as a guest artist at the Youth America Grand Prix 25th Anniversary Gala at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. Beyond music, Ria excels academically, earning High Honors in the 2022–2023 talent search conducted by Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth. In her leisure time, she enjoys listening to classical music, and playing with her Maltese, Milk.
Valerie Bai (Violin) Lalo : Symphonie espagnole - 5th movement Valerie Bai was born in Hong Kong and lives in Massachusetts, USA. She is currently studying with world-renowned violinist Stefan Jackiw. She received valuable impulses in master classes from renowned professors such as Professor Zakhar Bron, Professor Kirill Troussov, Professor Philip Dragonov and Professor Karen Aroutiounian. Valerie started learning violin at the age of 4. She has performed and won in various local and international competitions. Her recent prizes include 1st prize at 8th Leonid Kogan International Competition 2024, 1st Prize at the Anton Rubinstein Junior Violin Competition 2024, 1st Prize at the Mimas Festival International Competition 2024, Grand Prize of 9th International Music Competition « Nouvelles étoiles » 2024, the Winner of the Boston Youth Symphony Repertory Orchestra Concerto Competition 2023 (3rd movement of Violin Concerto in G Minor by Max Bruch), Winner of Rivers’ Concerto Competition 2023 (Junior Division - 1st Movement of Violin Concerto in C major by Joseph Haydn). Valerie's orchestral debut was a testament to her talent. At the age of eight, she performed the 1st movement of Joseph Haydn’s Violin Concerto in C major with the Rivers Symphony, following her victory in the Rivers’ Concerto Competition 2023 (Junior Division). At the age of nine, she had her 2nd soloist performance with the Boston Youth Symphony Repertory Orchestra on the 3rd movement of Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto in G minor. She recently performed the 1st movement of Mozart Violin Concerto No.5 with the Lexington Symphony Orchestra under the guidance of Maestro Jonathan McPhee. Valerie's musical prowess extends beyond solo performances. She is an active member of orchestras and chamber groups, having been accepted into the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Young People’s String Orchestra at the age of six. In September 2024, she achieved another milestone by gaining acceptance into the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra, becoming one of the youngest students to join the highest level of Orchestra at BYSO. Along with playing violin, Valerie enjoys playing piano, figure skating, and composing music. She has been studying music composition with Professor Alla Cohen since age six. In 2022 and 2024 she was awarded an honorable mention for the MTNA’s (Music Teacher National Association) music composition competition. She premiered her piano composition, “Story of Little Lisa,” at Rivers Contemporary Music Seminar in March 2023
Emily Sun (Cello) Popper: Hungarian Rhapsody, Op. 68 Emily’s cello journey began in January 2021, during the pandemic, through online Skype lessons and YouTube videos. The cello became a source of comfort, creating cherished memories during a time when she couldn’t attend school or socialize with friends. In 2022, Emily was admitted to Juilliard Pre-College, where she studies under the accomplished cellist Astrid Schween. She has had the honor of performing solo recitals at Juilliard in February 2024 and January 2025. Currently, Emily is a 7th grader at Jericho Middle School. Beyond her studies, Emily is actively involved in her community. Along with her brother pianist Eddie, she founded "Sunny Duo," through which they bring music to local audiences. They regularly perform at their community church and for the elderly in the local nursing home. Emily also contributes her talent to the Children's Orchestra Society and plays for Maestro Michael Dadap there , who has been an inspiration to her growth in music along the journey. In 2025, Emily was invited to perform at the Museum of Memor in NYC. Besides music, Emily enjoys reading, drawing, cooking, and crafting. She loves experimenting with new recipes, always striving to infuse creativity into all aspects of her life. Emily believes in the transformative power of music to soothe the soul, and her aspiration is to bring comfort and warmth to others through her performances. This mission defines her artistic path.
Oliver Mar (Cello) Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33, Mvt 1, 2, 3 ,7 Oliver Mar is a 14-year-old New Zealand-born cellist who relocated to New York in 2022 after being accepted into the Juilliard Pre-College program, where he studies with Dr. Clara Minhye Kim. Oliver has earned top prizes in many competitions, such as the 2024 Camerata Artists International Competition and performed with the Camerata New Jersey Orchestra, the 2024 Young Soloists International Competition, the 2023 International Grande Music Competition in New York, and the 2023 New York International Classical Music Competition. He attended the 2024 Morningside Music Bridge summer program at the New England Conservatory, where he took lessons and masterclasses with Laurence Lesser, Hans Jensen, Paul Katz, Zvi Plesser, Qin Li-Wei, Wei Yu, Andres Diaz and Maciej Kulakowski. Recently, he has been selected as a Fellow with From the Top, a platform dedicated to fostering and promoting talented young classical artists. Oliver is also a composer. His works have been performed by members of the New York Philharmonic and featured on WQXR, New York's classical music station. Outside of music, Oliver loves to read, ski, and play tennis.
Ellie Liu (Violin) Saint-Saëns - Introduction et rondo capriccioso, Op. 28 Ellie Liu is a nine-year-old violinist. She began learning the violin at four and was admitted to the Juilliard Pre-College Division when she was seven. Ellie studies under Ms. Ann Setzer and Mr. Khullip Jeung at the Juilliard Pre-College. Ellie performed at Merkin Hall and Carnegie Hall, and she has been recognized as the first-prize winner in several prestigious competitions, including the American Protege International Piano & Strings Competition, the International Young Artists Competition, the International Grande Music Competition, and the Prima Volta Music Competition. She is the alternate winner of the Juilliard Pre-College 2025 Concerto Competition. She also performed at the 4Strings Music Festival. At seven, she made her solo debut with the New Virtuoso Orchestra. She played her solo recital at Juilliard in February. She will play with the Massapequa Philharmonic Orchestra in 2025.