2025 – HHSO YCC Finalists
The YCC was created 17 years ago to inspire young musicians to pursue their goals in classical music. It is now one of the most respected competitions of its type in the Southeast, with applications welcomed from talented student string players from 11 states. Please join us at SoundWaves for a delightful afternoon of string repertoire from nine impressive young artists, ages 14 – 17 (from 6 different states), chosen as finalists from more than 40 applicants. The first prize winner will return to play with the HHSO next season!
Lauren Yejin Kang, Grade 8, Vestavia Hills, AL – Violin
Max Bruch: Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26 – Third Movement
Seogyeom Kim, Grade 12, Forston, GA – Cello
Antonín Dvorák: Concerto in B minor, Op. 104 – First Movement
Carley Newman, Grade 11, Trussville, AL – Violin
Ludwig van Beethoven: Concerto in D Major, Op. 61 – First Movement
Seunghoon (Ryan) Pi, Grade 10, Suwanee, GA – Cello
Antonín Dvorák: Concerto in B minor, Op. 104 – First Movement
Michael Stratford, Grade 12, Winston-Salem, NC – Double Bass
Nina Rota: Divertimento Concertante – First Movement
Stephanie Suedbeck, Grade 11, Greenville, NC – Violin
Henryk Wieniawski: Concerto No. 2 in D minor – Third Movement
Mana Takahashi, Grade 11, Tampa, FL – Violin
Jean Sibelius: Concerto in D minor, Op. 47 – First Movement
Brooklynn Thatcher, Grade 11, Elgin, SC – Violin
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Concerto in D Major, Op. 35 – First Movement
Charlie Wyatt, Grade 9, Blacksburg, VA – Cello
Tchaikovsky: Rococo Variations, Op. 33 – Theme, Var. 1, 2, 3, Cadenza, 7
Panel of Judges for the finals:
Micah Gangwer, HHSO Concertmaster
Lizhou Liu, HHSO principal violist
Lee Richey, HHSO cellist
The Youth Concerto Competition is sponsored by
