2025 Young Musicians Concerto competition winners

Chloe Qian is currently a 15-year-old sophomore at the Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA), in the Pianist Program. Chloe began her music journey at age 5, and is currently studying under Dr. Sarkis Baltaian. Her committed passion and diligent efforts made her the first place winner of multiple competitions, such as the 2018 MACOC Piano Solo Competition, 2023 Orbetello International Piano Competition, 2024 IPPA Conero International Piano Competition, 2024 AEGIO International Piano Competition Global Round, 2024 CAPMT Sonata Competition, 2025 Junior Chamber Music Concerto Competition, and more. She is an active honor member of Junior Chamber Music, with her trio winning 1st place in the Amici International Chamber Music Competition, and 3rd place in the JCM Music Competition at USC. Chloe has also been exposed to many music festivals, including the 2023 Oberlin International Music Festival, and has had the chance to learn with world-famous pianists, such as Dang Thai Son, Fabio Bidini, Ning An, and Stanislav Loudenitch. She uses her talent to give back to the community as a performer in a nonprofit, Giving Harmony. Every year, she helps organize a benefit concert, with ticket donations being donated to multiple research nonprofits such as Olive Crest, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Aside from piano, Chloe also plays tennis, and has competed in many USTA tournaments, as well as being a U14 member of a country club. During her free time, Chloe enjoys making crafts, sleeping, and spending time with her friends/family.

Jiwoo Chung, a 16-year-old junior at Northwood High School, has studied violin since the age of six. She is currently studying under the instruction of Dr. Solim Shin. She has performed with distinguished ensembles including CASMEC, Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings, and the Irvine Honor Orchestra, and was a two-year honor member of Junior Chamber Music, participating in both quartets and duets. Jiwoo’s accomplishments include first place in the JCM Concerto Competition and first place in the American Protégé International Competition. She has also shared her musical experience through teaching with Interlude. In addition to her musical pursuits, Jiwoo is an accomplished visual artist, earning three Scholastic Art and Writing Awards and acceptance to the California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA). Committed to service, she volunteers weekly at a Korean school teaching language and culture, and contributes as a crisis listener on 7 Cups, offering support to individuals in need.

Jiwon Chung is a junior at Orange County School of the Arts, where he studies viola in the Instrumental Music Conservatory with Dr. Solim Shin. He first began his musical studies on the violin but later transitioned to the viola after being drawn to its deep and resonant sound. Since making the switch, Jiwon has continued to grow as a musician. He has performed with the CODA All-State Symphony Orchestra and currently plays with the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra. In addition to orchestra, he has been an honor member of Junior Chamber Music (JCM) for three years, gaining valuable experience performing chamber repertoire with other young musicians. As a soloist, Jiwon won first place in the American Protégé International Competition and performed at Carnegie Hall. He has also performed major works for the viola, including Vieuxtemps’ Capriccio pour alto seul, and many other pieces. Through these experiences, he has built a strong foundation as a performer and continues to expand his repertoire and skills. He looks forward to further developing his musical career and performing for wider audiences.

Ryan Yuto Noda, 12, from Irvine, California, began studying the violin at age 5. He currently studies under Yuki Mori and Min Jung Park at the Mori & Park Violin Studio. At age 8, Ryan won first prize in the 2022 CYOSC Concerto Competition and performed as a soloist with an orchestra. Since then, he has received numerous awards, including first and grand prizes at the Satori Summer Music Festival (2022, 2024), and first prizes at the US International Open Music Competition and the Southwestern Youth Music Festival (2023, 2024, 2025), where he was recognized in the Baroque, American, and Open categories. He has also earned first prize at the Concordia Music Competition, MTAC LA County Solo Music Scholarship Competition, Bellflower Symphony Young Artist Competition (with orchestra), and the Musical Arts Competition of Orange County (MACOC). In 2025, Ryan won first prize in the CAPMT Concerto Competition and the CAPMT State Finals, as well as the MTAC VOCE Regional Competition, advancing to the state finals. He also received first prize in the American Protégé International Concerto Competition and performed at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York. Beyond competitions, Ryan shares his love of music through volunteer performances at senior centers and community events. Outside of music, he enjoys reading, playing the piano, and performing magic.

Ryan Kim, a 12-year-old cellist, has won first prizes at numerous competitions, including the Orange County Musical Arts Competition, Southwestern Youth Music Festival (both “Open” and “Baroque” categories), Satori Music Competition, and Amici National Music Competition. He is a two-time first-place winner of both the Junior Chamber Music Competition and its concerto competition, and a second prize recipient of the MTAC State VOCE Competition. This summer, Ryan made his orchestral debut performing Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C Major with the SYMF Festival Orchestra after winning their “Young Cellist” category. He has been studying cello for four and a half years with Ashley Kim in Fullerton and is a member of Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings. A 7th grader at Heritage Oak Private School, Ryan also enjoys math, video games, and playing basketball with the Fullerton Ballerz in the Top Ballers Basketball League.

Minji Choi, 16, studies violin with Dr. Margaret Batjer at the Colburn Music Academy. She has previously studied under Chloe Chiu. Choi has played for many violinists such as Donald Weilerstein, Stefan Jackiw, Jessica Lee, Jinjoo Cho, Paul Kantor, Qian Zhou, and Bing Wang, and has previously appeared as a soloist with the Pasadena Community Orchestra, Southern California Philharmonic, and the Bellflower Symphony. Her recent awards include 2025 National YoungArts Winner, first in the MTNA California Round, and Grand Prize Finalist in the 2025 The Music Center’s Spotlight Competition. Choi participated in the Chamber Music OC Pre-College Program, where she was unanimously chosen as the only student of the pre-college to be featured in its faculty showcase. She was also a member of the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra, and previously served as the concertmaster of the Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings, where she was selected as soloist and for its quartet. Choi actively takes part in organizations such as Smile Train OC, the Back to Bach Project, the Doremi Project, and Clexical, and summer festivals like the Encore Chamber Music Institute Summer Academy, Online Solo Strings Intensive, Yellow Barn Young Artists Program, Bowdoin International Music Festival, and the National Youth Orchestra 2.