2022 WINNERS
VIVIAN CHANG
FIRST PLACE
VIOLIN
Vivian Chang, fifteen, is a sophomore at the Mason High School in the Greater Cincinnati area of Ohio, U.S.A. She has been studying violin with Hong Cheng since the age of four. Vivian has served as concertmaster of the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestras, concertmaster of her school orchestra, and member with leadership roles in regional and all-state orchestras.
Vivian’s wins in young artist competitions and concerto competitions in the tri-state area have earned her performance opportunities as a featured soloist with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, the Louisville Orchestra, the Blue Ash and Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, and the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra. She is also State Winner of the Ohio Music Teachers Association Buckeye Auditions, Winner of the Maestro of Tomorrow Competition by the Cincinnati Public Radio, and Winner of the Young Talent Search by the Dayton Public Radio Discover Classical, appearing on radio, web sites, and newspapers with her music.
Vivian loves every stage to share classical music with people of diverse backgrounds. She has had great memories of performing at the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour, Cincinnati Music Hall, Chicago’s Field Museum, Cincinnati Art Museum, and conservatory recital halls as soloist or an orchestra
member. She also enjoys playing works of contemporary composers on the streets for beloved cultural or social events of her local communities.
As First Place Winner and Judges’ Distinction Award recipient of the American Protégé International Concerto Competition, Vivian has been invited to perform in a 2022 Christmas Eve concert at the Carnegie Hall.
ADAM KOLERS
SECOND PLACE
CLARINETIST
Adam Kolers is a Senior clarinetist at the Youth Performing Arts School. His ensemble experience includes touring with the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America and playing principal clarinet in the World Youth Wind Symphony at Interlochen Arts Camp. Adam also composes music and plays piano in his free time. He has taken clarinet lessons from Angela Soren since he was 13.
YEEUN LEE
THIRD PLACE
PIANO
Yeeun Lee is a seventeen-year-old, Junior at Dupont Manual High School. She has been playing the piano for around 8 years, and is studying under Dr. Vernon Cherrix. Yeeun, also goes by Christine, attends Youth Performing Arts Center (YPAS) and studies under Dr. Matilda Ertz there. She has entered many competitions throughout her piano career and she has won 1st place in the senior division at the KMTA Bluegrass competition in both the years of 2020 and 2021. Additionally, Yeeun had been accepted to programs such as the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts and the Jacobs School of Music: Summer Program at Indiana University Bloomington. She has also played in masterclasses for pianists Anna Petrova, Harry Pickens, and David Cartledge. Outside of music, Yeeun is passionate about many other things such as visual arts, designing and creating printed cards, biology, dentistry, and volunteering.