WSO Young Artist Concerto Competition &
The Thomas C. Clark Young Artist Prize
The Young Artist Concerto Competition is an annual competition launched in 2018 to encourage the musical development of emerging artists. The competition prize is made possible through the generosity of the Thomas C. Clark Young Artist Prize Fund and is the only named, endowed competition prize in Connecticut. Winners compete with contestants from across New England, and the Tri-State region, winning a $1,500 prize, the opportunity to perform with the WSO, and an important credential for their resume.
Yoon Be Kim
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2019-2020 Young Artist Concerto Competition Winner
Clark Young Artist Prize
The Waterbury Symphony Orchestra announced November 6, 2019 that Yoon Be Kim has won the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra’s 2019 Young Artist Concerto Competition. The 2019 competition was held in New Haven on November 3rd and judged by internationally acclaimed violinist and Professor of Violin at Boston Conservator, Lynn Chang and Waterbury Symphony Orchestra Music Director and Conductor, Leif Bjaland. Kim competed with nine violinists from across New England, and the Tri-State region, winning a $1,000 prize and the opportunity to perform Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major at the WSO’s March 1, 2020 All-Mozart concert.
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Kim earned her Bachelor of Music degree from New England Conservatory where she studied with Malcolm Lowe, concertmaster of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. She currently studies under the tutelage of Hyo Kang at Yale School of Music, where she is pursuing a Master of Music degree.
The WSO’s Young Artist Concerto Competition is an annual competition launched in 2018 to encourage the musical development of emerging artists. The competition prize is made possible through the generosity of the Thomas C. Clark Young Artist Competition Prize Fund.
Yun Han
2018-2019 Young Artist Concerto Competition Winner
Clark Young Artist Prize
Born in Taiwan, Yun Han moved to the US in 2012. She is currently a Master of Music candidate at Yale School of Music, where she studies with Paul Watkins, Ralph Kirshbaum, and Ole Akahoshi. Han is a graduate of Colburn Conservatory, where she studied with Clive Greensmith, and the Juilliard Pre-College, where she studied with Minhye Clara Kim.
Han is the Grand Prize winner of the of New York Music Competition, and winner of the 212 Ensemble Young Artist Competition, which garnered a solo appearance with the Ensemble in 2014. Prior to coming to the United States, she won First Prize in the Taiwan National Student Music Competition, on four consecutive occasions. She has received full scholarships and fellowships to attend numerous summer music festivals, such as Casalmaggiore International Music Festival, Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, Meadowmount School of Music, and Great Mountain Music Summer Festival. She is an active chamber musician who has collaborated with NaiYuan Hu, Paul Neubauer, Joseph Silverstein, Martin Beaver, Anthony Marwood, Paul Coletti, members of Calidore String Quartet, Peter Lloyd, Ettore Causa, Julie Eskær, Melvin Chen and Ransom Wilson. Han has also performed as a principal and section player various orchestras, including the Colburn Orchestra, Juilliard Pre-College Orchestra and Alachua County Youth Orchestra. Han is the winner of the inaugural WSO Young Artist Concerto Competition, which provides a solo appearance with the Waterbury Symphony, as well as an award provided by the Thomas C. Clark Young Artist Competition Prize Fund.