The Dearborn Symphony is pleased to announce the 2024 Youth Artists Solo Competition (YASC) Winner, Shuya Zheng.
Shuya is a senior from Northville, MI, and comes from a musical family, who were instrumental throughout his musical journey, which he began at age 5.
Shuya began learning piano with Izabella Vilensky – who introduced him to the instrument, providing valuable knowledge toward music theory and performances. Later on, Shuya studied with Mi-Eun Kim, who helped to build his techniques throughout middle school and high school — especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, Shuya studies with Logan Skelton, who has provided an outlet for him to explore different performance and competition opportunities.
Outside of music, Shuya enjoys baking, taking care of his succulent garden, and singing with the Northville High School Choir.
We look forward to welcoming Shuya to the Dearborn Symphony for our upcoming concert on May 3rd. He will perform the first movement of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in F-sharp minor to open the concert.
Congratulations to Shuya Zheng, the winner of the Dearborn Symphony Youth Artists Solo Competition!
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.
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 participate in a two day competition in front of a distinguished panel of judges.. The winner receives a $500 award plus the opportunity to be featured as the soloist with the award-winning Dearborn Symphony.
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
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.
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 |