The Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra has announced the 10 finalists selected for its 2026 Youth Concerto Competition, bringing together exceptional young string musicians from across the Southeast for an afternoon of outstanding classical music.
Now in its 18th year, the HHSO Youth Concerto Competition was created to inspire young musicians to pursue greater achievement in classical music. The competition has grown into one of the Southeast’s most respected programs of its kind, welcoming applications from student string players in 11 states.
This year’s finalists, ranging in age from 13 to 18, were selected from more than 40 applicants representing five states. They will perform solo repertoire before a live audience and a jury of HHSO principal string musicians, competing for cash prizes, festival scholarships and the opportunity to return as a featured soloist with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra.
2026 HHSO Youth Concerto Competition Finalists
Grade 10, Blythewood, South Carolina
Cello
Performing selections from Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations, Op. 33
Ayano Hata
Grade 9,
Peachtree City, Georgia
Violin
Performing the first movement of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
Philip Jeong
Grade 11,
Suwanee, Georgia
Cello
Performing the
first movement of Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104
Regine Lee
Grade 11, Mount Dora, Florida
Violin
Performing the first movement of Dvořák’s Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 53
Alexander Moon
Grade 8, Vienna, Virginia
Violin
Performing the first movement of Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47
James Post
Grade 8, Arlington, Virginia
Violin
Performing the first movement of Wieniawski’s Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 22
Natalia Siqueira Biasotto, Grade 11, Apex, NC, violin
W.A. Mozart: Concerto No. 4 in D Major, K.218 – First Movement
Stephanie Suedbeck
Grade 11, Greenville, North Carolina
Violin
Performing the first movement of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
Mana Takahashi
Grade 12, Tampa, Florida
Violin
Performing the first movement of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35
Leila Warren
Grade 11, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Violin
Performing the first movement of Korngold’s Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35
The finalists will be adjudicated by a panel of HHSO principal musicians: Brian Allen, Principal Violin II; Lizhou Liu, Principal Viola; and Daniel Mumm, Principal Cello.
The first-prize winner will receive the opportunity to perform with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra during the following season, offering one of these emerging musicians the rare experience of appearing as a soloist with a professional orchestra.
The 2026 Youth Concerto Competition finals will take place Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 1 p.m. at St. Luke’s Anglican Church on Hilton Head Island.