50 Years of Memories: Anne Evans

As part of Levine Music’s 50th Anniversary celebration, we’ve been reflecting on the people and stories that have shaped our community over the years.

Anne Evans is a longtime member of Levine’s Board of Trustees whose connection to the school spans more than three decades. Anne joined the Board in the early 1990s, served on numerous committees, and led the Board as President.

Originally trained as a violinist, Anne came to Levine to study voice with beloved longtime faculty member Charles Williams. “It was really the music that brought me to Levine,” she reflects. “Levine is a place for everybody — a place where you can truly live your life in music.”

Your Levine Story

Do you have a Levine story, performance memory, teacher tribute, or special moment you’d like to tell us about? We invite you to record and submit your own memory as part of our ongoing anniversary project.

Share Your Story

In Conversation with Dr. Takeaki Miyamae

Dr. Takeaki Miyamae and Evan Meier.

In recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, our latest Community Conversation, hosted by Evan Meier, explores the impact and legacy of the Suzuki method teaching philosophy. Originally developed in Japan by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, the method has grown into a widely practiced and truly international approach to musical training that emphasizes listening, tone development, and early musical immersion. Joined by Levine flute faculty member Dr. Takeaki Miyamae, who studied with Suzuki Flute School founder Toshio Takahashi, the conversation reflects on the teaching traditions and artistic values that continue to shape musicians worldwide.

The conversation also highlights Takeaki’s work as a neuroscientist, exploring how studying music engages the brain and connects to language development and higher-order thinking. Based on his research, he provides insights into how musical training promotes both cognitive and artistic growth.

Learn about Levine’s Suzuki Programs

2026 Marlin-Engel Solo Competition Results

Marlin Engel winners 2026

 

The Marlin-Engel Solo Competition was established by the Board of Trustees of Levine Music in 1980 to honor Jackie Marlin and Diana Engel, two of the school’s founders and co-directors from 1976 to 1980. Originally offering a single “Marlin-Engel prize,” the competition today offers awards in both piano, strings, and instrumental categories and three age divisions: Junior (up to age 9), Intermediate (ages 10-13), and Senior (ages 14-18). The first-place prize for piano is the Ida Canter Prize, established by Dr. Jane Loeffler and her family as a tribute to her grandmother.

The 2026 Competition took place on Sunday, April 26, 2026. Each participant performed two solo works or movements that contrast in style and period.

Congratulations to all the participants, their teachers, and their families!

Awards

Congratulations to all the finalists and their extraordinary teachers!

Strings Junior

1st Place: Eva Frelinghuysen, student of Henry Stubbs
2nd Place: Riddhima Dey, student of Annabelle Berthomé-Reynolds; Emerson Kim, student of Maxfield Wollam-Fisher

Instrumental Intermediate

1st Place: Felix Karacsony-Major, student of Claire Eichhorn
2nd Place: Chloe Chu, student of Virgilio Joven; Jerome Amon, student of Henry Stubbs; Momo Sasaki, student of Virgilio Joven
Honorable Mention: Henri Espinoza, student of Susan Katsarelis

Instrumental Senior

1st Place: Aden Garland, student of Leo Sushansky
2nd Place:  Joshua Badmus, student of Patrick LeStrange; Zoie Chu, student of Britton Riley
Honorable Mention: Lucca Farkas, student of Jorge Amaral

Piano Junior

1st Place: Mirei Araki, student of Sayaka Jordan
2nd Place: Faith Reyes, student of Amanda Halstead; Diana Kessler, student of Amanda Halstead
Honorable Mention: Zoey Clowes, student of Amanda Halstead

Piano Intermediate

1st Place: Pietro Magistretti, student of Martin Labazevitch
2nd Place: Jason Ding, student of Darya Gabay
Honorable Mention: Nina Sejd, student of Rachel Chen; Kantaro Araki, student of Sayaka Jordan

Piano Senior

1st Place, Ida Canter Prize: Neel Perdue, student of Martin Labazevitch
2nd Place: Uma Das, student of Cecilia Cho
Honorable Mention: Casey Didden, student of Hyeweon Gessner; Dalia Azam-Naseeruddin, student of Darya Gabay

Special thanks to: Aaron Percy, Recording Engineer; Jinha Park, competition organizer; Dasha Gabay and Irina Kats, collaborative pianists; and our judges, Stephen Czarkowski, Ivo Kaltchev, Troy King, Carolyn Hyun Ha Oh, Joanna Owens, and Mayron Tsong.

This program has been made possible through the generous support of the Marinus and Minna B. Koster Foundation, Inc.

2026 Misbin Family Memorial Chamber Music Competition Winners

 

Designed to support the development of young artists and celebrate the lifelong creativity of DC-area performers, the Misbin Family Memorial Chamber Music Competition is open to instrumental chamber music students and adult amateur musicians. Participants are adjudicated by a panel of judges made up of distinguished performers, teachers, and other recognized members of the greater Washington music community.

The competition is open to the public free of charge—a great opportunity to hear promising young artists in a varied program. Winners receive cash awards and opportunities to perform in prestigious venues across the Washington, DC metro region.

The 2026 competition took place on Sunday, April 19, 2026. Special thanks to this year’s judges, Miriam Friedman, Dr. Lester Green, and Jillian Chioma Uzuegbu.  

Levine Music and Washington Performing Arts gratefully acknowledge Dr. Robert Misbin as well as the support of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

Awards

Congratulations to all the finalists and their extraordinary teachers and coaches!

Junior Division

First Place: Nonchalant Tarantulas (Philip Thankachan, Felix Karacsony-Major, Nina Sejd; coached by Victor Galindo)
Second Place ex aequo: Harmonics Quartet (Daniel Won, Jonathan Y. Chi, Jules Amyot, Minjae Jeon; coached by Jinha Park) and Trio con brio (Chloe Chu, Vienne Wong, Jason Ding; coached by Jasmin Lee) 
Honorable Mentions: Tres vif duo (Chloe Chu, Akira Inoue; coached by Agata Miklavc) and Bellevue Colloquy Duo (Benjamina Bolger, Stephen Chen; coached by John Kaboff) 

Senior Division

First Place: Blair String Quartet (Alex Zhao, Yixuan Li, Daphne Wen, Caleb Fan; coached by Claudia Chudacoff) 
Second Place ex aequo: Babad and the Janians (Sam Brose, Bright Wang, Ishaan Banerjee; coached by Anna Soukiassian) and DSCH String Quartet (Sophia Lee, Hyunseo Lee, Eugene Chung, Edwin Chung; coached by Jie Kim) 
Honorable Mentions: Triple Duke Trio (Jiles Defosse, Elaine Zhang, Sanjeev Belle Trichur; coached by Angelia Cho) and Sisyphus Quartet (Leah Pang, Eliza Hunt, Kweku Adusei-Poku, James David; coached by Tsuna Sakamoto) 

Adult Amateur Division

First Place: Huntington Sextet (Tanya Lee, Teri Manolio, Rhett Summers, Andrew Tangborn, Leila Duman, Ken Hawes) 
Second Place: Bull Run Post Office Piano Quartet (Hai Jin Kim, Reed Trevelyan, Matt Kupferman, Kurt Usowski)

Misbin Family Memorial Award

Indulo Duo (Anne Valerie Ter, Neel Perdue; coached by Darya Gabay)

Spring Performance Week

Spring Performance Week will take place from Monday, May 11, to Sunday, May 17. Performance Week offers private lesson students a supportive and encouraging environment for developing performance skills. Students receive written feedback from faculty members on their performance.

Use the dropdowns below to learn more about the Performance Week activities for your department.

All sign-ups will open on Monday, April 13, at 10:00 AM and close on Monday, April 20, at 11:59 PM.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your teacher or department chair.

Guitar

Schedule

Monday, May 11

  • Classical, Contemporary, and Suzuki / VA Campus: West Falls / 2:00 – 9:00 PM

Tuesday, May 12

  • Classical / DC Campus: NW / 2:00 – 9:00 PM
  • Contemporary / DC Campus: NW / 3:00 – 9:00 PM

Wednesday, May 13

  • Classical and Suzuki / DC Campus: NW / 2:00 – 9:00 PM
  • Contemporary / DC Campus: NW / 3:00 – 9:00 PM

Thursday, May 14

  • Classical and Suzuki / DC Campus: NW / 2:00 – 9:00 PM
  • Contemporary / MD Campus: Silver Spring / 3:00 – 9:00 PM

Friday, May 15

  • Classical, Contemporary, and Suzuki / MD Campus: Strathmore / 3:00 – 9:00 PM

Repertoire Requirements

  • 1–2 Solo Repertoire, preferably of contrasting styles, no longer than 7 minutes total. 
  • Scales, arpeggios, slurs, or any technical study (optional).
  • A short selection will be given to each student to sightread, according to their level.
  • Dress code: Performance attire 

If you do not know your repertoire, please contact your teacher before signing up. 

Contact

Sign Up

Sign-ups open on Monday, April 13, at 10:00 AM and close on Monday, April 20, at 11:59 PM.

You will need to fill out a separate form for each student in your family. Please select one date and one time slot that works best for your schedule. 

Guitar Sign Up

Percussion

Schedule

  • Monday, May 11 / Panel Jury / DC Campus: NW / 4:00 – 7:00 PM
  • Saturday, May 16 / Panel Jury / DC Campus: NW / 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Repertoire Requirements

  • 1–2 Solo Repertoire (required) 
  • Scales, Rudiments, or Technical Study (optional) 

You should consult with your private teacher to determine what repertoire you will perform in your jury. You will be asked at the beginning of your jury to announce each of your selections.  

Contact

Sign Up

Sign-ups open on Monday, April 13, at 10:00 AM and close on Monday, April 20, at 11:59 PM.

You will need to fill out a separate form for each student in your family. You will need to choose a 10-minute time slot during which you will perform. Please select one date and one time slot that works best for your schedule. 

Percussion Sign up

Piano

Schedule

The Piano Department’s Performance Week Schedule is available here.

In-Person Options
  • Beginner Recital & Introduction to Performing
  • General Jury – graded, ungraded, and adult
  • Certificate Jury
  • Level 10 Certificate Jury
  • Jazz Jury
Virtual Options
  • Zoom Recitals
  • Video Submission Jury

Learn More

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact the piano chair at your campus:

Sign Up

Sign-ups open on Monday, April 13, at 10:00 AM and close on Monday, April 20, at 11:59 PM.

Video Submission Jury deadline is May 5 at 11:59 PM.

Piano Sign Up

Strings

Schedule

Monday, May 11

  • Standard Jury / DC Campus: NW / 3:45 – 9:00 PM
  • Beginner Recital / DC Campus: NW / 5:00 – 6:00 PM
  • Standard Jury / VA Campus: West Falls / 4:00 – 7:30 PM

Tuesday, May 12

  • Standard Jury / DC Campus: NW / 3:45 – 9:00 PM
  • Standard Jury / VA Campus: West Falls / 4:00 – 9:00 PM
  • Standard Jury / DC Campus: THEARC / 5:30 – 7:30 PM

Wednesday, May 13

  • Standard Jury / DC Campus: NW / 4:00 – 8:00 PM
  • Standard Jury / MD Campus: Strathmore / 3:30 – 9:00 PM
  • Beginner Recital / MD Campus: Strathmore / 5:00 – 6:00 PM

Thursday, May 14

  • Standard Jury / VA Campus: West Falls / 3:45 – 9:00 PM
  • Beginner Recital / VA Campus: West Falls / 5:00 – 5:45 PM

Friday, May 15

  • Standard Jury / DC Campus: NW / 4:00 – 8:00 PM
  • Harp Jury / DC Campus: NW / 6:00 – 7:30 PM
  • Standard Jury / MD Campus: Strathmore / 4:00 – 9:00 PM

Saturday, May 16

  • Standard Jury / DC Campus: NW / 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Standard Jury / MD Campus: Silver Spring / 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • Beginner Recital / MD Campus: Silver Spring / 1:15 – 1:45 PM

Contact

Standard Juries

Students play for several strings faculty members and receive written feedback outlining what is going well in their lessons and areas for growth.  

Beginning Level: Suzuki Book 1 and 2, or equivalent level 

  • 1 scale and arpeggio 
  • Solo No. 1 
  • Etude OR Solo No. 2 
  • Sightreading 

Intermediate Level: Suzuki Book 3, or equivalent level 

  • 1 major scale and 1 minor scale with corresponding arpeggios
  • Etude 
  • Solo
  • Sightreading

Advanced Level: Suzuki Book 4+ or equivalent level

  • 1 major scale and 1 minor scale with corresponding arpeggios 
  • Etude**
  • Solo
  • SIghtreading

**Can be replaced with audition materials, or solo Bach 

Sign-ups open on Monday, April 13, at 10:00 AM and close on Monday, April 20, at 11:59 PM.

Strings Standard Jury Sign Up

Beginner Recitals

Beginning students play for an audience of friendly parents and peers. No scales/sight reading.    

  • School-age students who are in the beginning stages of their musical journey.    
  • Repertoire: One or two pieces. 
  • Performance attire 

Sign-ups open on Monday, April 13, at 10:00 AM and close on Monday, April 20, at 11:59 PM.

Strings Beginner Recital Sign Up

Video Submission

Video Submission (Adults ONLY: Alternative option to in-person standard jury) 

  • The video submission deadline is May 4.  
  • Video submissions will be evaluated by 3 faculty members.   
  • Comments will be returned no later than May 17.  
Video Submission Form

Suzuki Strings

Schedule

Monday, May 11

  • Critique Recital / MD Campus: Strathmore / 4:30 – 5:30 PM
  • Skills Achievement Event / MD Campus: Strathmore / 4:30 – 5:30 PM
  • Critique Recital / MD Campus: Strathmore / 5:30 – 6:30 PM
  • Skills Achievement Event / MD Campus: Strathmore / 5:30 – 6:30 PM

Tuesday, May 12

  • Critique Recital / DC Campus: NW / 4:30 – 5:30 PM
  • Skills Achievement Event / DC Campus: NW / 4:30 – 5:30 PM
  • Critique Recital / DC Campus: NW / 5:30 – 6:30 PM
  • Skills Achievement Event / DC Campus: NW / 5:30 – 6:30 PM

Wednesday, May 13

  • Critique Recital / DC Campus: NW / 5:30 – 6:30 PM
  • Skills Achievement Event / DC Campus: NW / 5:30 – 6:30 PM
  • Critique Recital / DC Campus: NW / 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Thursday, May 14

  • Skills Achievement Event / VA Campus: West Falls / 5:30 – 6:30 PM
  • Critique Recital / VA Campus: West Falls / 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Saturday, May 16

  • Critique Recital / DC Campus: NW / 9:30 – 10:30 AM
  • Critique Recital / DC Campus: NW / 10:30 – 11:30 AM
  • Skills Achievement Event / DC Campus: NW / 10:30 – 11:30 AM
  • Critique Recital / DC Campus: NW / 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
  • Skills Achievement Event / DC Campus: NW / 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
  • Critique Recital / DC Campus: THEARC / 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM
  • Skills Achievement Event / DC Campus: THEARC / 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM

Critique Recital Repertoire Requirements

  • Solo Repertoire as recommended by your teacher.
  • Students in Books 1 and 2 may perform two pieces.
  • Maximum Lengths: 7 minutes 

Skills Achievement Event

  • Scale/arpeggio (memorization required) 
  • Tonalization (optional, memorization preferred) 
  • Technical Etude (memorization not required) 
  • Sightreading Option, Book 2 and up 

Contact

Sign Up

Sign-ups open on Monday, April 13, at 10:00 AM and close on Monday, April 20, at 11:59 PM.

Suzuki Strings Sign Up

Suzuki Winds and Brass

Schedule

Monday, May 11

  • Critique Recital / DC Campus: NW / 6:15 – 7:15 PM

Repertoire Requirements

  • Solo Repertoire as recommended by your teacher.    
  • Students may perform two pieces. 
  • Maximum Lengths: 7 minutes   

Contact

Sign Up

Sign-ups open on Monday, April 13, at 10:00 AM and close on Monday, April 20, at 11:59 PM.

Suzuki Winds and Brass Sign Up

Voice

Schedule

Monday, May 11 / MD Campus: Strathmore

  • Critique Recital / 6:15 – 7:15 PM
  • Open Recital / 7:30 – 8:30 PM

Tuesday, May 12 / VA Campus: West Falls

  • Critique Recital / 6:30 – 8:00 PM

Thursday, May 14 / MD Campus: Silver Spring + Virtual

  • Virtual Recital / 5:45 – 6:45 PM
  • Critique Recital / 7:00 – 8:30 PM

Friday, May 15 / DC Campus: NW

  • Private Jury / 5:00 – 6:00 PM
  • Critique Recital / 6:15 – 7:15 PM
  • Adult Recital / 7:30 – 8:30 PM

In-Person Options

Critiqued Recitals

Recommended for students at intermediate level or above.

Repertoire Requirements:

  • Two songs selected by teacher and student not to exceed 10 minutes.
  • Students receive written comments from faculty judges (no grades).
  • Students will perform with a live accompanist.
  • Memorization: Preferred.
  • Dress code: Performance attire
Adult Juries

For adult students of all levels.

Repertoire Requirements:

  • Two songs selected by teacher and student not to exceed 10 minutes.
  • Students receive written comments from faculty judges (no grades).
  • Students will perform with a live pianist.
  • Memorization: Preferred.
  • Dress code: Performance attire
Private Juries (Critiqued Jury)

Recommended for students at intermediate level or above.

Repertoire Requirements:

  • Two songs selected by teacher and student not to exceed 10 minutes.
  • Students receive written comments from faculty judges (no grades).
  • Students will perform with a live accompanist.
  • Memorization: Preferred.
  • Dress code: Performance attire
Open/Non-Traditional Recital

For all students of all levels, all genres.

Repertoire Requirements:

  • One or two songs not to exceed 10 minutes.
  • Students will receive written comments from faculty. No grades.
  • Students can perform with a live accompanist, accompany themselves, or use a backing track.
  • Memorization: Preferred.
  • Dress code: Performance attire

Virtual Options

Zoom Recitals

Open to all students taking traditional lessons.

Repertoire Requirements:

  • Two pieces selected by teacher and student.
  • Students receive written comments from faculty jduges (no grades)
  • Critiqued Recital
  • Memorization: Preferred.
  • Dress code: Performance attire

Contact

Note: Students cannot participate in more than one recital.  With exception of the open recital, all students are to perform music from the traditional repertoire (Classical, Musical Theatre, Folk Songs, Jazz standards, American Songbook, etc.).  Please consult with your teacher when choosing your jury repertoire. 

Sign-ups open on Monday, April 13, at 10:00 AM and close on Monday, April 20, at 11:59 PM.

Voice Sign Up

Woodwinds and Brass

Schedule

  • Monday, May 11 / Panel Jury / DC Campus: NW / 4:30 – 7:30 PM
  • Wednesday, May 13 / Panel Jury / VA Campus: West Falls / 4:00 – 7:30 PM
  • Thursday, May 14 / Panel Jury / DC Campus: NW / 4:30 – 7:30 PM
  • Saturday, May 16 / Panel Jury / MD Campus: Strathmore / 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Repertoire Requirements

Please bring two extra copies of your music for the judges. 

Technical Component

  • Traditional students: 1-2 scales (may offer more if they have them) 

Solo Repertoire

  • 1-2 pieces as recommended by your teacher    
  • Length: 3-7 minutes total for both pieces
  • Beginning students may perform less than 3 minutes

Sightreading

  • Required for students with 2 years of experience or more  
  • Optional for students with fewer than 2 years of experience 

If you do not know your repertoire, please contact your teacher before signing up. 

Contact

Sign Up

Sign-ups open on Monday, April 13, at 10:00 AM and close on Monday, April 20, at 11:59 PM.

You will need to fill out a separate form for each student in your family. You will need to choose a 10-minute time slot during which you will perform. Please select one date and one time slot that works best for your schedule. 

Woodwind and Brass Sign Up

2026 Irena Orlov Adult Piano Competition Winners

Orlov Piano Competition 2026

Inaugurated in 2020, the Irena Orlov Memorial Piano Competition for Adult Students remembers and celebrates our beloved friend and faculty member, Irena Orlov. For over 30 years, Irena was a pillar of Levine and our piano department. During her remarkable career, she taught and mentored hundreds of students and faculty, helping each of them achieve their best.

The 2026 Competition took place on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at our DC Campus: NW, with divisions for intermediate and advanced adult piano students.

Congratulations to all the participants, their teachers, and their families!

Awards

Congratulations to all the finalists and their extraordinary teachers!

Intermediate Division

First Place: Alex Rehding, student of Artur Aksenov
Second Place: Fern Hunt, student of Rachel Chen
Third Place: Cameron Brown, student of Ching-Yi Lin; Terri Scadron, student of Victor Shklyar
Honorable Mention: Philip Sharp, student of Naira Babayan

Advanced Division

First Place: Melina Zohn, student of Ralitza Patcheva
Second Place: Landin Thorsted, student of Naira Babayan
Third  Place: Dylan Tran, student of Ching-Yi Lin; Hon-Cheong Chan, student of Artur Aksenov
Honorable Mention: AnnElizabeth McMahon, student of Katerina Zaitseva; Joseph Vetter, student of Ching-Yi Lin

Special thanks to: Jinha Park, competition organizer; Jeffery Beaudry and Nikita Fitenko, competition judges; and the Levine campus staff.

In Conversation with Annabelle Berthomé-Reynolds

Community Conversation with Annabelle Berthomé-Reynolds

In honor of Women’s History Month, our latest Community Conversation, hosted by Evan Meier, Chair of Music Theory and Composition, features Levine violin faculty member and recording artist, Annabelle Berthomé-Reynolds. Annabelle received the prestigious Trophée Joséphine in 2024, which honors women whose bold paths inspire the next generation.

Annabelle introduces listeners to the music of Grażyna Bacewicz, Elfrida Andrée, and Sofia Gubaidulina, whose careers unfolded across different eras and cultures, yet were shaped by resilience and determination. Through discussion and musical examples, she explores Bacewicz’s powerful postwar violin sonatas, Andrée’s lyrical Romantic chamber music written during the early women’s rights movement in Sweden, and Gubaidulina’s bold, spiritually infused works that bridged Eastern and Western traditions.

Along the way, Annabelle reflects on the joy of uncovering forgotten music in archives, the interpretive challenges of bringing these works to life, and why their voices continue to resonate today.

2026 Charles and Ruth Williams Voice Competition Winners

2026 Williams Competition Winners

This year’s installment of Levine’s annual voice competition, named in memory of longtime Levine faculty member Charles Williams and his wife Ruth, was an afternoon full of remarkable student performances.

Awards

Congratulations to all the participants and their extraordinary teachers!

Adult Division

First place:  Alexander Adams, student of Sonia Yon
Second place: Kelsey Ruane, student of Ji-Yeon Park; Paula Gibbs, student of Nakia Verner

Youth Division

First place: Zora Kotev, student of Ellie Kim
Second place: Reva Tucker, student of Ellie Kim; Zoia Mitova, student of Maria Khoobyar
Honorable mentions: Ava Anjarwala, student of Sonia Yon

Congratulations to all the participants, their teachers, and their families!

Jinha Park, competition organizer; Dasha Gabay, collaborative pianist; Millicent Scarlett and Lori Şen, competition judges; and Levine campus staff.

Levine Music gratefully acknowledges the support of Rosemary George for underwriting this competition, as well as the support of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

In Conversation with Carly Harvey

Carly Harvey sitting at table with a microphone.

In honor of Black History Month, our latest Community Conversation features acclaimed artist and Levine faculty member, Carly Harvey, DC’s “Queen of the Blues,” in a robust discussion about the roots, evolution, and enduring influence of the blues.

Carly explores the genre not only as a musical form but also as a cultural expression born of the African American experience and shaped by resilience, resistance, and connection. Along the way, she brings the history to life, demonstrating musical concepts, honoring pioneers like Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith, and reflecting on how the blues continues to speak truth through storytelling and self-expression.

Whether you’re a longtime blues lover or simply curious about how this foundational genre shaped American music, this conversation, hosted by Evan Meier, Chair of Music Theory and Composition, offers insight, inspiration, and plenty of memorable moments.

2026 Cogen Concerto Competition Winners

The Cogen Concerto Competition was established by the Board of Trustees of Levine Music in 1983 to honor Ruth Cogen, one of the school’s founders and its first chair of the Board of Trustees. 

The 2026 Competition took place on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Each participant prepared one movement from a concerto or solo piece intended for performance with an orchestra for the preliminary round. Students in the final round performed with piano accompaniment. One grand prize winner was chosen from all the first-place division winners to play in an upcoming performance accompanied by an orchestra.

Awards

Congratulations to all the finalists and their extraordinary teachers!


Grand Prize Winners:

Neel Perdue, piano student of Martin Labazevitch, and Chloe Robertson, bassoon student of Jimmy Ren

Piano Senior Division

Second place: Anastasia Fitenko, piano student of Martin Labazevitch; Minjae Jeon, piano student of Jinha Park
Honorable mention: Pamina Burton, piano student of Cecilia Cho

Piano Intermediate Division

First place: Neel Perdue, piano student of Martin Labazevitch
Second place: Pietro Magistretti, piano student of Martin Labazevitch

Instrumental Senior Division

First place: Chloe Robertson, bassoon student of Jimmy Ren
Second place: Aden Garland, violin student of Leo Sushansky
Honorable mentions: Juniper Brinegar, clarinet student of Paul Cigan; Zoie Chu, cello student of Britton Riley

Instrumental Intermediate Division 

First place: Felix Karacsony-Major, clarinet student of Claire Eichhorn
Second place: Chloe Chu, violin student of Virgilio Joven
Honorable mentions: Liem Do, violin student of Annabelle Berthomé-Reynolds; Jerome Amon, cello student of Henry Stubbs

Combined Junior Division

First place: Zoey Clowes, piano student of Amanda Halstead
Second place: Mirei Araki, piano student of Sayaka Jordan
Honorable mentions: Faith Reyes, piano student of Amanda Halstead; Nolan Li, violin student of Inga Liu

Congratulations to all the participants, their teachers, and their families!

Jinha Park, competition organizer; Darya Gabay and Irina Kats, collaborative pianists; Chad R. Bowles, Jaewon Kim, Jeffrey Solow, and Steven Spooner, competition judges; and Levine campus staff.

This program has been made possible through the generous support of the Marinus and Minna B. Koster Foundation, Inc.