Winners announced for the Johansen International Competition for Young String Players

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The 2025 Johansen International Competition for Young String Players concluded on 20 March at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Washington, DC, US. It was open to violinists, violists, and cellists aged 13–17.

In the violin division, the $10,000 first prize was awarded to US violinist Valery Breshears, 15, the $7,000 second prize to Korean violinist Jiwoo Son, 15, and the $5,000 third prize to US violinist Elizabeth ‘Poppy’ Song, 15.

For the viola division, the $10,000 first prize was won by Chinese violist Junyan Du, 16, the $7,000 second prize by Chinese violist Xunyu Zhou, 17, and the $5,000 third prize by US violist Samuel Tatsuki, 17.

In the cello division, the $10,000 first prize went to US cellist Joshua Kováč, 17, the $7,000 second prize to US cellist Eiline Tai, 17, and the $5,000 third prize to US cellist Starla Breshears, 17. Tai also received the $1,000 prize for the best performance of the commissioned work.

The judges also commended Japanese violinist Mio Imai, 14, and US cellist Matthew Ho, 16.

The competition was established in 1997 and takes place every three years. Previous winners include violinists Lara Boschkor and Tessa Lark, violist Hae Sue Lee, and cellist Zlatomir Fung. This year’s jury comprised violinist Rachel Barton Pine, violist Chauncey Patterson, and cellist Michael Mermagen. 

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