Dearborn Symphony Youth Artists Solo Competition

The Dearborn Symphony is pleased to announce the 2024 Youth Artists Solo Competition (YASC) to be held in March 2024.

The Youth Artists Solo Competition is intended to identify, recognize and encourage youth in the southeastern Michigan area who are pursuing the study of classical music and afford them an opportunity to perform with a professional orchestra.   YASC is a prestigious solo competition that was established in 2004 under the direction of Maestro Kypros Markou and has produced nationally recognized winners such as violinist, Benjamin Beilman and clarinetist, Nicholas Hamblin.

This competition provides an opportunity for young musicians in southeast Michigan to gain valuable experience preparing, auditioning for, and executing the performance of a movement from a concerto or a challenging solo work within their instrument’s repertoire.  YASC allows for any music school in the area to showcase the talent, hard work, and dedication of their students.

Auditions are open to all students age 18 and under, who take music lessons in Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties. Applicants will audition in person at Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church, located in Dearborn, for a distinguished panel of judges on March 9. Finalists will be selected to perform on March 10. The winner will receive $500 award plus the opportunity to be featured as the soloist with the award-winning Dearborn Symphony, performing on the final concert of the season, May 3, 2024.

The awards to the winners for playing at the Concert are underwritten by the Dearborn Symphony Endowment Fund with trusts established by Anina & Ben Bachrach, Sandra and Paul Butler, and Mary & Frank Padzieski. It is also sponsored in part by Mrs. Anne Bakalyar.

2024 Dearborn Symphony Youth Artists Solo Competition Flyer

2024 Dearborn Symphony Youth Artists Solo Competition Eligibility

2024 Dearborn Symphony Youth Artists Solo Competition Application
Applications must be postmarked by February 9, 2024.

History

The Dearborn Symphony has held a solo competition for local young artists for many years.

In 2004, the competition was expanded to include competitors from the five-county metropolitan Detroit area. The competition is intended to discover, recognize and encourage youth with exceptional musical talent in the Southeastern Michigan area who are pursuing the study of classical music and afford them an opportunity to perform with a professional orchestra.

In 2007, the event was renamed the Dearborn Symphony Youth Artists Solo Competition.

Former Winners

Name Instrument
2017
Greg Turner Piano
Nickolas Hamblin Clarinet
2016
Jubilee Wang Piano
Calvin Mayman Flute
2015
Phillip Huang Piano
Landon Oja Violin
2014
Isabelle Lian Piano
Allen Chang Clarinet
2013
Heather Shen Piano
Anna Mieczkowski Violin
2012
Yiran Liu Piano
Haeji Kim Violin
2011
Heather Gu Piano
Abigail Elder Viola
2010
Yesse Kim Piano
Jacob Joyce Violin
2009
Allen Yuan Piano
Nathaniel Pierce Cellist
2008
Christine Wu Piano
Andrea Jarrett Violin
2007
Alexandra Zetye Piano
Benjamin Beilman Violin
2006
Josh Romatowski flute
Elizabeth Beilman viola
2005
Colleen Wang Violin
June Wu Piano
2004
Tiffany Pao Piano
Erik Asgeirsson Cello

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