Winners announced for the 2023 Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition

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Hina Khuong-Huu, 18, has been named as the winner of the 2023 triennial Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition, held in Boca Raton, FL, US. The French/Japanese/US violinist, the youngest of the four finalists, scooped the first prize in the concerto final with her performance of Sibelius’s Violin Concerto in D minor on 29 January. Khuong-Huu receives a $30,000 cash prize provided by the David and Amy Fulton Foundation, a new violin made by Christopher Germain, a silver-mounted bow crafted by Rodney Mohr and inspired by Elmar Oliveira’s Dominique Peccatte, as well as 40 guaranteed national and international concert dates over the next three years, including a New York recital sponsored by Tarisio and a recital in Cremona, Italy, sponsored by Amorim Fine Violins. She also receives a three-year package of career support. 

The second prize winner was 22-year-old Gabrielle Després (Canada/US), who also performed the Sibelius concerto. She receives a cash prize of $15,000 provided by Tarisio Fine Instruments and a bamboo NuBow made by Rodney Mohr. Third prize winner, Laurel Gagnon (US), who performed Bartók’s Violin Concerto no.2, received a $10,000 cash prize. Twenty-four-year-old Zachary Brandon (US), the third finalist to perform the Sibelius concerto, received the Honorable Mention which comprised (US) a $5,000 cash prize. 

The four finalists performed over the weekend of 28–29 January with the Lynn Philharmonia conducted by Guillermo Figueroa at the Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center on the campus of Lynn University in Boca Raton.