The American musician receives the gold medal and a cash prize of $25,000

Hsu_Luke

American violinist Luke Hsu has won the 41st annual Houston Symphony Ima Hogg Competition and receives the gold medal, a $25,000 cash prize and a solo performance with the Houston Symphony on July 9, 2016.

The 25-year-old also won the Hermann Shoss Audience Choice Award and was chosen by Houston Symphony musicians to receive The Robert and Nancy Peiser Award for Artistic Encouragement.

Second prize, worth $10,000, went to 24-year-old cellist and recent Juilliard School graduate Christine Lee, while third prize, worth $5,000, was awarded to 24-year-old Chinese pianist Brian Lin.

Hsu, who previously performed with the Houston Symphony in February 2007 as the winner of the 2006 Houston Symphony League Concerto Competition, was awarded third prize at the Carl Nielsen International Violin Competition earlier this year. The former New England Conservatory student also won first prize at the 12th Isang Yun International Violin Competition in Korea in 2014, and the Grand Prize in the 2008 Kingsville International Violin Competition. He is currently studying on the Royal Academy of Music’s Advance Diploma programme with Rodney Friend.