2026 Young Artist Competition Results

Eugene Symphony Announces Winners of 2026 Young Artist Competition

The Eugene Symphony proudly announces the winners of the 2026 Eugene Symphony Guild Legacy Young Artist Competition, which was held Saturday, April 4 at Lane Community College in Eugene, OR. The annual event brought together some of Oregon’s most talented young musicians for a day of performance and adjudication by a panel of Eugene Symphony musicians.

The competition highlights emerging artists from across the state, offering participants a valuable opportunity to perform in a public setting and receive feedback from professional musicians.

“The Young Artist Competition showcases a bright tapestry of the musical skill thriving among today's young Oregon performers.,” said Julia Weldon, Eugene Symphony cellist and competition judge. “It was a real pleasure to hear the wonderful, hard work of each competition participant. The winners delivered especially captivating solo performances, and it was an honor to be able to award them for their accomplishment.”

The Eugene Symphony Guild and their Legacy Fund has generously sponsored this annual competition since 2017.

Meet the 2026 Eugene Symphony Guild Legacy Young Artist Competition winners:

SENIOR DIVISION - AWARDS

Lily SlatonBarker-Wong, viola
1st Prize, ($1,000)
University of Oregon

Walton: Viola Concerto in A minor

  • Lily SlatonBarker-Wong is violinist, violist, and teacher from Anchorage, Alaska. She is currently completing her Master of Music in Violin Performance with a specialization in Violin/Viola Studio Teaching at the University of Oregon. She is starting her Doctorate in Viola Performance at UO in Fall 2026. Lily is a trained Suzuki Violin and Viola Teacher, with a small private studio in Eugene. She also is an associate teacher at the UO Community Music Institute Suzuki Strings Program. Lily has been playing violin since she was 7 years old. As a violinist, she’s been concertmaster of the UO Symphony, has performed as a soloist with Lalo’s Symphony Espagnole 1st movement with the Anchorage Youth Symphony, and received honorable mention in UO’s String Area Concerto Competition in 2023. As a violist, she has been in top chamber ensembles at UO, served as assistant principle in UO chamber orchestras, and performed in UO Masterclasses for visiting professors. She has performed in Piano and String Quartets at UO as both a violinist and violist, and has performed with #instaballet, EDME, and for Eugene, Alaska, and New York based Churches.

    In her Bachelor’s degree at UO, Lily completed an Honors Thesis Project which allowed her to personally explore the Alexander Technique, Body-Mind Centering, Functional Anatomy, and the Feldenkrais Method, and connect her learning to upper string teaching and playing. She continues to learn and explore with these somatic methods and is working on a somatically inspired pedagogy involving exercises and explorations paired to the Suzuki Repertoire that illuminate anatomical knowledge, body awareness, and ergonomical playing for each student, based on Somatic principles. She aims to publish this pedagogy to provide students with tools to understand their physical bodies, using form, posture, and body-awareness knowledge, and reduce injuries and tension. Her dissertation work will be focused on these goals. When she is not practicing, teaching, or exploring somatics, Lily enjoys running (on the track, and in mountain races!) and exploring the outdoors – skiing, hiking, and camping.

Nikita Istratov, piano
2nd Prize ($500)
University of Oregon

Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3

  • Nikita Istratov (b. 2006) has been playing piano since the age of 6 under the tutelage of Elena Istratova. He completed high school in Portland, OR. He is now in his second year of college, studying piano on scholarship under Dr. Alexandre Dossin. In high school, he was selected as a U.S. Presidential Scholars Candidate and won a National Merit Scholarship. Also in high school, he performed at Weill Recital Hall in New York twice, won first prize at the 2021 Pittsburgh International Piano Competition, and won third prize in the 2022 Pacific International Piano Competition. Nikita also performed in May 2024 at the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts as a winner of the MetroArts Young Artists Debut! competition. Nikita has taken masterclasses with artists including Antonio Pompa-Baldi, José Ramón Méndez, Alexander Tutunov, and Julio Elizalde.

    Nikita recently received the University of Oregon’s competitive First-Year Research Award to study and perform under-represented female composer music. In the summer of 2025, he was selected from almost fifty applicants as a winner of All Classical Radio’s inaugural Access Recording Project to record and present a solo lecture-recital at the Radio’s Irving Levin Performance Hall in December 2025. He is a member of the student staff of the Oregon Piano Institute, responsible for program research and student outreach coordination.

SENIOR DIVISION - HONORABLE MENTIONS

Garet Flores, viola
Honorable Mention
University of Oregon

Bowen: Viola Concerto in C minor

  • Garet Flores is a viola student from Eugene, Oregon, studying under Arnaud Ghillebaert at the University of Oregon. He has a strong passion for the viola and values the opportunity to learn and grow alongside his peers and friends.

    Outside of music, Garet works as a wildland firefighter during the summer, an experience that has shaped his discipline and perspective. He is especially grateful for the support of his close friends and family, who have helped him navigate challenges along the way.

    He currently serves as principal violist of the Salem Philharmonic Orchestra and continues to develop both his orchestral and solo playing, with the goal of growing as a musician and sharing his work with wider audiences.

Nathan Hollis, bass clarinet
Honorable Mention
University of Oregon

Goodman: Concerto for Bass Clarinet

  • Nathan Hollis is an emerging professional clarinetist and music educator whose passions lie at the intersection of live performance and teaching, inviting audiences and learners of all ages into participatory exploration of music-making. Nathan strives for a career in higher education, with the drive to inspire the next generation of clarinetists to be perennially curious and omnivorous for music from all times and places. Nathan grew up in Champaign, Illinois and holds Bachelor's degrees in Music Education and Clarinet Performance from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Nathan has lived in Eugene since September 2024, when he began his Master of Music in Clarinet Performance at the University of Oregon, studying with Dr. Wonkak Kim. Nathan eagerly anticipates completing his Master's in June 2026. Nathan's Master's recital, to be performed on 19 May 2026, features a program entirely of music composed in the 21st century by living American composers, in light of this year being the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence and Nathan's strong interest in advocating for the performance of contemporary music. Nathan has performed extensively with bands, orchestras, and chamber groups at the universities of Illinois and Oregon, and currently plays bass clarinet with the Salem Philharmonia Orchestra in Salem, Oregon. Nathan will make his debut performing with a professional orchestra on May 17, with the Eugene Concert Choir and Orchestra's performance of Paul McCartney's Liverpool Oratorio. Outside of music, Nathan enjoys traveling, reading, taking scenic drives around Lane County, watching YouTube, and doing just about anything with friends and family.

Emma Liao, cello
Honorable Mention
University of Oregon

Dvořák: Concerto in B minor

  • Emma Liao is a senior cello performance major at the University of Oregon, where she studies under Steven Pologe. She has received musical training in both the United States and Taiwan. She has performed in university ensembles and participated in masterclasses with distinguished cellists. She is currently preparing her senior recital and will continue her studies at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.

JUNIOR DIVISION - HONORABLE MENTIONS

Jerrel Martin, cello
Honorable Mention
University of Oregon

Dvořák: Silent Woods “Klid”

  • Jerrel Martin is an energetic cellist based in the Pacific Northwest. His insatiably curious nature drives him to approach each performance as a story, delving into the spiritual and emotional layers of the music. Guided by Steve Pologe, Scott Kluksdahl, Rhonda Rider, and Eleanor Christman, he has a deep and unwavering passion for chamber music.  He has studied and performed throughout the United States, as well as in France, Germany, and Greece. Jerrel holds a Bachelor of Music from Idaho State University, a Graduate Performance Diploma from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, and a Master of Music from the University of South Florida, where he was a full scholarship chamber music fellow. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Oregon as a full scholarship Performance Fellow. 

Philip Rha, viola
Honorable Mention
Oregon State University

Bloch: Suite Hebraique

  • Philip Rha is a second-year student at Oregon State University studying Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Although he is highly invested in laboratory research and determined to one day become a physician, Philip has an equally deep passion for classical music and playing the viola.

    Starting on the violin at the age of eight, Philip decided to switch to playing the viola in his junior year of high school after being drawn to its deeper and more introspective tone. He has since played in various ensembles such as the Portland Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and the Metropolitan Youth Symphony, and has competed at the state level for viola solo and chamber ensemble.

    Philip is currently a member of the Corvallis-OSU Symphony Orchestra and studies viola independently. 

JUNIOR DIVISION - AWARDS

Emma Jang, cello
1st Prize ($500)
Roosevelt Middle School

Dvořák: Cello Concerto in B minor

  • Emma Jang is a dedicated young cellist currently attending Roosevelt Middle School in Eugene, Oregon. Music lies at the heart of her life, and the cello is her greatest passion. She is continually inspired to create a more beautiful and expressive sound, and music remains her constant companion.

    Emma has earned notable recognition for her musicality, including an Honorable Mention at the 2023 Bellevue Symphony Concerto Competition. In the summer of 2025, she served as Principal Cello in the Advanced Intermediate Division at Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan. In 2026, she was awarded 1st Prize in the Oregon Mozart Players Young Soloist Competition.

    Her major performance experiences include the Interlochen Intermediate Concerto Finals Recital and a featured solo recital at Rencontres Musicales Internationales des Graves in Bordeaux, France. In addition to her solo and orchestral work, Emma deeply values chamber music and the collaborative spirit it fosters. She embraces every opportunity to learn from distinguished teachers and mentors, continually refining her technique and broadening her musical perspective.

    Emma continues to pursue advanced musical training with dedication, curiosity, and a genuine love for music.

Sabine Voelker, viola
2nd Prize ($250)
South Eugene High School

Walton: Viola Concerto in A minor

  • Sabine Voelker is completing her senior year at South Eugene High School and has been studying violin and viola with Lillie Manis at the Willamette Violin Academy since the age of four. She has earned recognition in numerous state-wide competitions on both instruments and will continue her musical journey by studying music performance in college this fall.

    A dedicated member of the Eugene Springfield Youth Orchestras for the past seven years, Sabine has also performed with Orchestra Next for the last two seasons, collaborating with the Eugene Ballet. This summer, she was selected to join the National Youth Orchestra NYO-USA as a violist, where she will perform at Carnegie Hall and tour across Europe. She has a particular passion for ensemble playing and has been an active participant in the chamber music program at the Community Music Institute for several years. She is also the co-founder and violist of the Celeste String Quartet.

    In her spare time, Sabine enjoys practicing martial arts and exploring new recipes in the kitchen.

Adeline Cronin, violin
Honorable Mention
Spencer Butte Middle School

Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 4 in D Major, K218

  • Adeline Cronin is a seventh-grade student at Spencer Butte Middle School. She has played violin since the age of three and currently studies with Shelley Rich. Addie is a member of the Eugene Springfield Youth Orchestras, and also participates in Chamber Players with the Community Music Institute at the University of Oregon. She has enjoyed refining her musical skills and artistry by attending numerous summer Suzuki institutes and other performance opportunities. Outside of music, Addie is actively involved in taekwondo, track, cross country, and values learning and academic success.

Abigail Lee, violin
Honorable Mention
Westview High School

Saint-Saëns: Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Op.28

  • Abigail Lee, age 17, is a junior at Westview High School in Portland, Oregon. She began playing violin at age 7 and currently studies with Hae-Jin Kim. As an active soloist, Abigail performed with the Jewish Community Orchestra as a winner of its Young Artist Competition this year. She has won several competitions including the Eugene Symphony Guild Young Artist Competition, the American Protégé: International Piano and Strings Competition, the Grand Metropolitan International Music Competition, the OMTA Jeannette Scott Briggs Scholarship Award Competition, the OMTA Trula Whelan Concerto Festival, the OMTA Orchestral Instrumental Scholarship Award Competition, and she was also the finalist of the 2022, 2024, and 2026 Oregon ASTA Solo Competition.

    Alongside her solo studies, Abigail has been a part of the Portland Youth Philharmonic Association for 7 years and is currently a first violinist of the Philharmonic Orchestra and PYP Camerata Chamber Orchestra. She was honored to be selected for the 2024 and 2026 OMEA All-State Orchestra as Assistant Concertmaster and Concertmaster, the 2025 OMEA All-State HS Honors Orchestra, and the 2025 NAfME All-NW HS Honors Orchestra. In past summers, she attended the 2024 Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI), the 2025 Summer Violin Institute at Northwestern’s Bienen School of Music, and the 2025 OrpheusPDX Pathways Program, where she played as assistant concertmaster with professional musicians. This summer, she will be attending Bowdoin International Music Festival under esteemed violinist Sergiu Schwartz and Center Stage Strings at MPulse. She is actively involved in non-profit community music education organizations: Project Prelude and Music4Harmony. She currently resides as the Regional Director of Project Prelude and the Director of Public Relations with Music4Harmony. Besides music, Abigail loves spending time with her family and hanging out with her friends.

Asher Lewis, violin
Honorable Mention
South Eugene High School

Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E minor

  • Asher Lewis is a junior at South Eugene High School. He began his violin studies at age six, and is a student of Dr. Kara Eubanks at the Willamette Violin Academy. He was the 2023 junior division winner of the Oregon Mozart Players concerto competition, as well as the Eugene Springfield Youth Symphony concerto winner in December 2023. He has enjoyed performing in festivals and honors recitals in Oregon and Washington, and attending institutes at Green Mountain Chamber Camp, Brigham Young University, Seattle Pacific University, Stanford, and Steven’s Point, Wisconsin. He plays on a 1999 Stradivarius model made by renowned local violin maker David Gusset. Beyond music, Asher loves playing tennis and traveling with his family.

Ellie Liu, cello
Honorable Mention
Westview High School

Dvořák: Cello Concerto in B minor

  • Ellie Liu, 15, is a sophomore at Westview High School in Portland, Oregon, and studies cello with Hyun-Jin Kim. An active soloist, Ellie has performed with the Jewish Community Orchestra, the Willamette Falls Symphony Orchestra, and the Amadeus Chamber Quintet as a winner of their respective concerto and young artist competitions. She was awarded First Place in the National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) Mary Alice Cox Award, receiving a $2,500 scholarship recognizing outstanding cello performance in the United States.

    Ellie has been a member of the Portland Youth Philharmonic (PYP) since the age of nine and currently serves as Co-Principal Cellist of both the PYP Orchestra and PYP Camerata. She has also performed as Assistant Principal Cellist of the NAfME All-Northwest Orchestra and served as principal cellist at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Orchestra, where she attended on a $6,000 merit scholarship. In summer 2026, Ellie will attend the National Symphony Orchestra’s National Trustees Summer Music Institute at the Kennedy Center, as well as the National Youth Orchestra 2 (NYO2) of Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute.

Emily Seo, cello
Honorable Mention
Jesuit High School

Elgar: Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85

  • Emily Seo, 17, is a junior at Jesuit High School. She began studying cello at age five and currently works with Hamilton Cheifetz. Emily is a member of the Portland Youth Philharmonic, where she serves as assistant principal. She won first place in the 2025 OMTA Orchestral Instrument Scholarship Competition and the OMEA District 15 Solo & Ensemble Festival. She was also the winner of the 2024 MetroArts Young Artists Debut! Competition and placed second in the 2024 OMEA State Solo Contest. In 2023, she received the Monday Music Club Scholarship and earned an Honorable Mention in the Oregon MTNA Senior Strings Competition. She has been selected for the Oregon All-State Orchestra since her freshman year, serving as assistant principal, and in 2025 performed with the All-Northwest Orchestra. Emily has attended summer programs including the Bowdoin International Music Festival, the National Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Music Institute at the Kennedy Center (where she served as principal cellist), Center Stage Strings at the University of Michigan, and the Jacobs School of Music Summer String Academy at Indiana University. This coming summer, she will attend the Meadowmount School of Music, studying with Hans Jørgen Jensen. She has performed in masterclasses for distinguished cellists such as Richard Aaron, Amir Eldan, Horacio Contreras, Norman Fischer, Peter Prosser, Dennis Parker, Danielle Cho, and Bion Tsang.

Ruei-Tze Tsai, marimba
Honorable Mention
University of Oregon

Abe: Prism Rhapsody for Marimba and Orchestra

  • Rue-Tze (Roger) Tsai is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in music at the University of Oregon. He majors in percussion and studies with Pius Cheung. Roger started studying percussion at the age of 10 with Ying-Chih Wang, and was a member of the Kaohsiung Symphony Youth Orchestra for more than three years. He made his concerto debut at 15 years old, playing Michael Daugherty’s “Raise the Roof” for solo Timpani and orchestra, with the Feng-Hsi Junior High School orchestra. Roger has also received many honors, including 3rd place at the 2024 Thailand International Percussion Festival Competition, the Excellence Award for marimba at the 2024 National Taiwan Student Music Competition Kaohsiung division, and 1st place in the 1st Wind Ensemble Concerto Competition at the University of Oregon. Besides playing percussion, Roger also served as a student conductor at the wind band of Kaohsiung Senior High School for 2 years. He is also an active composer, receiving 1st place in composing at the senior high school Kaohsiung division of the 2024 National Taiwan Student Music Competition.