Young Artists Competition Winners 2023

View Winning Essays, Videos HERE - Guild Members Only


The Symphony Guild of Charlotte gives a standing ovation to the
2023 Young Artists Competition Winners!

Grand Prize Winner Advanced Level: Wesley Connor
Grand Prize Winner Intermediate Level: Elijah Chen

Honorable Mention Advanced Level/Open Division: Samuel Han
Honorable Mention Advance Level/Orchestral Division: Cadence Shevy
Honorable Mention Intermediate Level/Both Divisions: Sayuki Peterman


Essay Competition Advanced Level: Calvin Chen
Essay Competition Intermediate Level: Sophia Major

*Click HERE to read the winning essays and view the winners' original video performances (Guild members only).

This year's competition featured excellent performances by finalists:
Calvin Chen, Elijah Chen, Wesley Connor, Ellie Dixon, Clark Fan, Samuel Han, Yoav Ovurtsky,
Sayuki Peterman
, Cadence Shevy, Caleb Shin, Michael Stratford, Tyler Tsung


Alternates Selected: Shirley Tian - Advanced, Sophia Major - Intermediate


Congratulations to all!

Be sure to view our Photo Gallery capturing the Young Artists Competition 2023 event.

A very special thank you to our panel of adjudicators:
Dr. Alexandra Dee (Appalachian State University), Dr. Tara Villa Keith (Davidson College), and
Christopher James Lees, Resident Conductor - Charlotte Symphony


Special thanks also to the parents, teachers, accompanists et al supporting these
wonderful young musicians, and to Christ Lutheran Church for hosting us.


We look forward to the 2024 Competition. Look for details and application information in late spring.


The 2023 Young Artists Competition Committee and Volunteers
Wendy Azrak, Larry Bennett, Linda Borders, Aram Kim Bryan, Ellen Caldwell, Julia Church,
Robin Cochran, Kinsey Fournier,
Angela Helms, Sophie Helms, Adam Marino, Tammy Matula,
Karen Oldham, Susan Ramsey,
Brienne Tinder, Jenny Tolson, Jin Wang, Linda Weisbruch
and Christopher James Lees, special advisor

Gratitude for Joan and Parker Foley's generosity.