Chairmen of the Jury
JOO YOUNG OH
Joo Young Oh is one of the most established multi-grounded violinists of our time. He earned his first international recognition at the age of fourteen when he became the Winner of the 1996 Young Concert Artists International Auditions held in New York.
A native of Jinju, South Korea, he has been active as a soloist performing worldwide, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Colorado Symphony, San Jose Symphony, St. Petersburg Philharmonic, Czech Philharmonic, Hungarian Chamber Orchestra, Prague Radio Symphony, Ukraine National Orchestra, Poland National Symphony, Salzburger Kammer-Philharmonie, Tacoma Symphony Orchestra, Aspen Music Festival Orchestra, Los Angeles Theater Orchestra, Seoul Philharmonic and KBS Symphony Orchestra among many various ensembles. He has performed recitals and made solo appearances at the Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall in New York, Walt Disney Hall in Los Angeles, the Performing Arts Center in Washington DC, Wigmore Hall in London, Dvorak Hall in Prague, Grand Hall in St. Petersburg, and Opera City Concert Hall in Tokyo, among many different venues around the world.
He has studied with the late Dorothy DeLay, Zahkar Bron, Hyo Kang, Stephen Clapp, Glenn Dicterow (former Concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic), and Lisa Kim (Associate Principal of the New York Philharmonic). He received Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from The Juilliard School, and a Degree in Orchestra Performances from the Manhattan School of Music. He joined the New York Philharmonic as one of their tenured-violinists in 2010. Recently, he has been appointed as the Concertmaster of Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and continues to be active as a concert violinist worldwide.
ROBERT CARTER AUSTIN
A native of Tennessee, Robert Carter Austin is currently in his thirty-third season as Music Director of the Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra. Maestro Austin has an unusually diverse educational background for a classical musician, including a Bachelor of Science degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a Diploma (with Distinction) in Computer Sciencefrom Cambridge University, and a Master of Musical Arts degree from Stanford University.
Maestro Austin’s first professional appointment was as Artistic Director of the Chattanooga Opera in 1974. He added the post of Artistic Director of the Southern Regional Opera in Birmingham, Alabama in 1978. He became Music Director of the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra in Wyoming in 1981, before coming to Texas as Music Director of the East Texas Symphony Orchestra in Tyler. He has served as Music Director of the Garland SymphonybOrchestra since 1986, of the Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra since 1991, and of Symphony Arlington since 2000.
In frequent demand as a guest conductor, Maestro Austin has led performances with opera companies and symphony orchestras in eleven states in the U.S. His international credits include performances with orchestras in eighteen nations throughout Europe, Asia, and North and South America. Off the podium, Maestro Austin describes himself as a closet country music fan and an unrepentant oenophile. His wife, Dr. Kathryn Gamble, is the Director of Veterinary Medicine at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, Illinois.
Jury of string
Eric Han Cellist
Korean born Canadian cellist Eric Han made his concerto debut with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at the age of 14. Following his debut led to many engage- ments with Toronto Sinfonietta, Toronto chamber players and Symphony by the Sea in Boston. In collaboration with world-renowned conductor Sir Andrew Davis, he recorded a live performance of the Elgar cello concerto on the Yamaha Cana- da label.
As an avid chamber musician, Eric has performed with many of world’s leading musicians such as Joseph Silverstein, Roberto Diaz, Ani and Ida Kavafian, Cho- Liang Lin, Chee Yun, Lynn Harrell, Gray Hoffman, Paul Coletti, Jörg Widmann, Jan Vogler, Thomas Demenga Classical guitarist Jason Vieaux and the members of the Altenberg Trio, Borromeo quartet and Orion String Quartet. As a recitalist, Eric has performed in many of world’s prestigious halls, including Zankel Hall Carnegie, 92nd St. Y, St. Martin in the fields, and the Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh.
Eric has been the recipient of many awards in Canada and the US, including the Tom Thomas Scholarship, Toronto Symphony Orchestra Scholarship, and Schimidbauer international string competition and 2012 Sylva Gelber Award. As a guest artist and artist-in-residence, Eric has participated at numerous festivals, including the Moritzburg Festival, La Jolla Summerfest, Music@Menlo, Sarasota Music Festival, the Banff Centre, Orford Arts Centre and is on faculty at Marrow- stone music festival.
Eric studied with David Hetherington at the Glenn Gould School, and holds a B.M. from the Colburn School of Music, under the tutelage of Ronald Leonard. He is a recent recipient of an Artist diploma from the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Peter Wiley and Carter Brey.
Eric has joined the Seattle Symphony Orchestra as their 4th chair cellist. He plays on a cello made by Frank Ravatin (2003 Vannes) on generous loan to him from the Maestro Foundations.
Eric Han
Stephen Goist
Violist Stephen Goist enjoys a varied career as an orchestral player, chamber musician, and historical performance specialist based in New York City and San Francisco. He is a member of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, principal violist with the Handel and Haydn Society, principal violist of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, principal violist of Teatro Nuovo, and an active performer in New York’s robust early music community. Stephen has performed across the United States, Canada, Europe, India, and New Zealand, and has been a guest musician with many ensembles including Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, The English Concert, Bach Collegium Japan, the Charleston Symphony, and the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, he holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music and The Juilliard School, and his principal teachers were Catharine Carroll Lees, Masao Kawasaki, Cynthia Roberts, and Elizabeth Blumenstock.
photograph by Titilayo Ayangade
Sami Merdinian
Sami Merdinian is an internationally recognized Argentine violinist celebrated for his exceptional work as a soloist, chamber musician, and tango specialist. He has performed with renowned orchestras including the Montevideo Philharmonic, Argentine National Symphony, Charlemagne Orchestre, Buenos Aires Philharmonic, Duluth Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, and Richmond Symphony.
As a member of the acclaimed string quintet Sybarite5, Mr. Merdinian has graced stages at Carnegie Hall, the Library of Congress, and Lincoln Center, in addition to extensive tours across the United States, Canada, Asia, and South America. Sybarite5’s latest album, Collective Wisdom, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Classical Music chart, underscoring the ensemble’s artistic excellence.
Mr. Merdinian also maintains active roles with several distinguished ensembles. He regularly performs with the Orchestra of St. Lukes and Novus NYC, has served as principal with the Experiental Orchestra and The Orchestra of San Antonio, and held the position of assistant concertmaster with the American Ballet Theatre Orchestra. He also serves as the concertmaster of the Greenwich Symphony Orchestra. His expertise as a tango violinist has led to collaborations with leading figures in the genre, earning him a Grammy nomination for Best Tango Album. His recordings span respected labels such as Universal Records, Canary Classics, CAG Records, Bright Shiny Things, and Green Parrot Records.
Throughout his career, Mr. Merdinian has garnered numerous accolades. He is a prize winner of several international competitions including a Gold Medal at the XII International Young Solo Instrumentalists Competition in Argentina and special recognition at the New Talent Competition in Slovakia. He has been honored with the Rising Star Award by Tiffany & Co. and named Outstanding Artist of the Year by the Argentinian press. His artistry has been showcased on prominent platforms such as WQXR in New York, live broadcasts from the Concertgebouw’ Spiegenzall , the Argentinian Classical National Station, NPR, South Korea’s KBS, and the BBC.
In addition to his performance career, Mr. Merdinian is dedicated to music education and cultural leadership. He is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the New Docta Festival in Argentina, has conducted masterclasses worldwide, and has delivered lectures on music and entrepreneurship at esteemed institutions including Penn State, Curtis Institute, New England Conservatory, and The New School. https://linktr.ee/samiviolin
Jury of wind
Min Hee Kim
Dr. Min Hee Kim is Lecturer and Instructor of Flute at The University of Texas at Dallas, Adjunct Professor of Flute at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, and Adjunct Professor at Dallas College, Brookhaven Campus. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Texas Flute Society and holds Life Member status in the organization. Dr. Kim earned her Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in Flute Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where she studied under renowned pedagogues including Dr. Bradley Garner and Randy Bowman.
A distinguished performer and scholar, Dr. Kim is the recipient of numerous accolades, including the prestigious Yamaha Young Performing Artist Award and the Grand Prize at the Edu-Classic Concours. Her scholarly contributions include the lecture recital Jazz Melodic, Harmonic, and Rhythmic Language in Nikolai Kapustin's Flute Works and her doctoral dissertation, Jazz Language in Through-Composed Chamber Works for Flute by Claude Bolling, Nikolai Kapustin, and Mike Mower, published in 2018. She has performed as a soloist with the CCM Jazz Lab Band under the direction of Craig Bailey, a former saxophonist and arranger for Ray Charles.
Dr. Kim made her solo recital debut at Carnegie Hall in 2016 and was invited as a guest artist with the Seoul Leaders Flute Orchestra at YoungSan Art Hall in South Korea. She has appeared at major festivals and conferences, including the National Flute Association Convention, the Austin Flute Society Festival, and the Texas Flute Society Festival, where she championed the music of contemporary composer Ben Yee Paulson. His Pastorale No. 2, composed specifically for her, received its premiere at Carnegie Hall. Dr. Kim’s orchestral and ensemble experience includes performances with the Sherman Symphony Orchestra, Cave Run Symphony Orchestra and the Lone Star Wind Orchestra.
An active pedagogue and advocate for flute education, Dr. Kim is in high demand as a clinician, adjudicator, and masterclass instructor. Recent engagements include serving as a clinician for the National Flute Association, a teaching artist for The Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s TMEA Preparation Workshop, and a featured presenter at the Texas Summer Flute Symposium, where she offered her popular session, Jazz Up Your Practice Routine. Her dynamic approach to both classical and jazz-informed flute pedagogy has made her a sought-after presence in festivals and academic institutions alike.
Shauna Thompson
Dr.Shauna Thompson is Professor of Flute at Texas Christian University and Coordinator of Graduate Studies for the School of Music. She is currently General Competition Coordinator for the National Flute Association. Dr. Thompson previously served the NFA as coordinator of the Professional Flute Choir Competition and Texas Flute Society as coordinator of the Donna Marie Haire competition and festival co-chair. Dr. Thompson has been a featured performer at multiple National Flute Association conventions and is a frequent clinician and performer at TMEA conventions. Recent concerto performances include Chaminade's Concertino with the Mesquite Symphony, the world premiere of Martin Blessinger’s Rhapsody for Flute and Orchestra with the Texas Christian University Symphony Orchestra, and Frank Ticheli’s Silver Linings with the Sugar Land Winds. Dr. Thompson’s first album Lumiere was released in early 2023, followed by her first solo album, Reflections, in 2024.
In her role as flute professor at TCU, Dr. Thompson leads a competitive studio comprised of undergraduate, Masters, Artist Diploma, and DMA students. Dr. Thompson’s students have competed in the Myrna Brown competition, various NFA competitions, and attended summer music festivals including Aspen and Brevard. Many of her former students are now successful elementary school music teachers, band directors, private teachers, university professors and successful professionals in other fields such as law and physical therapy.
Dr. Thompson won the 26th annual Myrna Brown competition with the Texas Flute Society and was honored to return as a guest artist to their following convention. She is also a prizewinner of many other competitions including the National Flute Association, Pittsburg Flute Club, Claude Monteaux, Frank Bowen, Mid-South Flute Society, and MTNA.
She holds a DMA and a MM in flute performance from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music where she studied with Brad Garner and Randy Bowman. Dr. Thompson also received a Bachelor of Music from Texas Tech University where she studied with Lisa Garner Santa. Prior to joining the TCU faculty Dr. Thompson served as Consortium Instructor of Flute at the University of Evansville and principal flute with the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra. She previously served as principal flute of the Lubbock Symphony and second flute with the Midland Odessa Symphony Orchestra in addition to performing with the Cincinnati and Fort Worth Symphony Orchestras. She is currently the piccoloist with the Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra.
Chung Yoo
Dr. Chung Yoo, a distinguished clarinetist from South Korea, has garnered international acclaim for his masterful performances, characterized by both technical brilliance and deep musical expression. His journey in music began with a series of remarkable victories in prestigious competitions, establishing him as a formidable talent from an early age. Among his accolades, Chung secured 1st prizes in the Joongang Music Competition, the Korean Clarinet Association Competition, and the Seoul National University Winds Competition. He also won the 1st prize at the Yega National Students Competition and the Students Music Association Competition, triumphing in both middle and high school categories. His success in these and other contests, such as the Artur Balsam Competition for Duos, where he claimed both 1st and 3rd prizes, set the stage for his distinguished career.
These achievements led Chung to New York City, where he further honed his craft under the mentorship of the legendary clarinetist Charles Neidich at the Manhattan School of Music. There, he earned a Doctor of Musical Arts, a Master's degree, and a Professional Studies Certificate in Classical Clarinet. Chung also holds a Bachelor's degree from Seoul National University.
Chung's performance career is as varied as it is distinguished. He has held prominent positions with leading orchestras, showcasing his versatility and artistry in numerous settings. As the Principal Clarinetist of the Korean National Police Orchestra, he led performances across South Korea, delivering stirring interpretations of both classical and contemporary repertoire. He has also served as Guest Principal Clarinetist with the Chungbuk Philharmonic Orchestra and held positions with the Yangpyeong Philharmonic Orchestra and the Ditto Orchestra, among others. His orchestral work has taken him to esteemed stages, including performances with the Korean Symphony Orchestra, where he served as Guest 2nd Clarinetist, and the Seoul Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, where he held the role of Principal Clarinetist.
As a soloist, Chung has performed with notable orchestras, including the Manhattan School of Music Chamber Sinfonia, where he delivered a stunning rendition of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K.622. He has graced stages worldwide, from the Fort Lee Music Hall Opening Concert in New Jersey to the Benefit Gala for the Korean Community Research Center in New York City.
Chung has also enriched his artistry through participation in numerous prestigious summer festivals, including the Bowdoin International Music Festival as a Kaplan Fellow, the Sarasota Music Festival, and the MostArts Festival. These experiences have further shaped his musicianship, allowing him to engage with diverse musical traditions and leading pedagogues from around the world.
Sung-ho Cho
Sung-ho Cho is a distinguished clarinetist who currently serves as Professor of Clarinet at Kangwon National University in South Korea. He previously held the role of Principal Clarinetist with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra for one year. He also served with distinction as Principal Clarinetist of the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra for seven years, a position to which he was appointed in 2017.
His musical education includes graduating from the Korea National University of Arts, where he studied with Kwang-ho Oh. He then earned his Diploma and Master's degree from the Hanns Eisler University of Music Berlin in Germany, where he studied under the tutelage of the world-renowned clarinetist Wenzel Fuchs, Principal Clarinetist of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
Sung-ho Cho's exceptional talent has been recognized with numerous accolades. He notably won First Prize at the 47th Dong-a Music Competition in 2007, where he was praised for his "sophisticated technique and dignified performance." His achievements also include First Prize at the Clarinet Association Competition and Second Prize at the Vienna International Music Festival in Austria. Furthermore, he has distinguished himself by winning and placing in many other prestigious competitions, including the Music Journal Competition, Music Chunchu Competition, Seongjeong Music Competition, Ewha Gyeonghyang Competition, Busan Competition, Jungang Competition, and the Music Association Overseas Dispatch Competition.
As a soloist, Cho has performed with renowned orchestras such as the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Korean Symphony Orchestra, KBS Symphony Orchestra, Gwangju City Orchestra, and Ulsan City Orchestra. He was also an invited performer at the 2014 Seoul Spring Chamber Music Festival.
In addition to his solo career, Cho has made significant contributions to chamber music as the leader of the Vere woodwind quintet. The ensemble won the Grand Prize at the 3rd Art Sylvia Chamber Music Audition in 2014, securing a two-year sponsorship. The quintet's debut concert in 2014 was a sold-out success, followed by a critically acclaimed second concert in 2015. They continued to captivate audiences with their third concert in February 2018 at the IBK Chamber Hall of the Seoul Arts Center.
Cho Sung-ho is one of the distinguished performers in Korea who plays on a 'Selmer' clarinet and has recently been honored as a 'Henri SELMER Paris' artist.
Jury of piano
Jun Cho
Pianist Jun Cho is a multifaceted artist known for his versatility as a soloist, chamber musician, and educator. His performances have captivated audiences in major venues such as Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, 92nd Street Y, Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, Benaroya Hall, Kennedy Center, Barclay Theater, Salle Bourgie, Sala Sinfónia Pablo Casals, and Seoul Arts Center, among others. Cho has appeared as a guest artist at Texas Wesleyan University, Gijón International Piano Festival, La Jolla Music Society, Cabrillo Festival, Harriman-Jewell Series, North Shore Chamber Music Festival, and Buffalo Chamber Music Society, Pro Arte Musical Puerto Rico, among others. He has given lectures and masterclasses in Arizona State University and Sungshin Women's University, and Korea International School of Arts (KISA).
A passionate collaborator, Cho frequently performs with esteemed musicians such as Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bell, Philippe Quint, Stefan Jackiw, Ray Chen, Clive Greensmith, Steven Banks, and Randall Goosby, among others. As a featured pianist with the Pedro Giraudo Tango Quartet, a winner of the Latin GRAMMY Award, Cho brings the rich tradition of tango to life in renowned New York City venues such as The Iridium, Joe’s Pub, and Barbès.
Concurrent with his position at Syracuse University as Assistant Professor of Piano, Cho is an artist-faculty member at the Perlman Music Program and serves as the studio pianist for violinist Itzhak Perlman at the Juilliard School. At Juilliard, he also assists piano faculty member Julian Martin. In the past, he served as a faculty member at the Heifetz Institute and taught at the Michael P. Hammond Preparatory Division at Rice University.
As a founding member of New York in Chuncheon, a music festival based in Chuncheon, South Korea, Cho has played a pivotal role in creating a vibrant cultural exchange between New York City and Chuncheon. Since 2012, the festival has featured performances by prominent NYC musicians, including members of Brooklyn Rider, Attaca Quartet, and Sybarite 5. Through its outreach programs, including masterclasses and mentorship activities, the festival has nurtured the talents of aspiring musicians in Chuncheon, fostering a thriving musical community. In 2016, Cho, along with the other festival members, was appointed an honorary ambassador of Chuncheon.
Cho holds a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in piano performance from the Juilliard School and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University. His teachers include Julian Martin and Jon Kimura Parker.
Jasmina Kulaglich
What strength ! Inner character and power, together in a single breath” - Radio Suisse Romande praises Serbian pianist Jasmina Kulaglich for her creativity, combining her great sensitivity and her Slavic passion.
A Serbian pianist currently based in Paris, Jasmina has recorded for the Naxos ("Byzantine Mosaic", world premiere) and Calliope labels. Her new album "Dumka" has received rave reviews at Classica in France (5*), Crescendo in Belgium, Musicweb in London…
« This album is wonderful ; marvellously balanced in terms of repertoire and style and Kulaglich has all the lyricism, warmth and spaciousness that one could desire. » (Musicweb International, UK)
Soloist with the Orchestre Romantique Européen de Paris in Liszt's two Concertos, with "U.K. Symphony Orchestra" in London, chamber orchestras in France, she also performs with soloists of the Orchestre de Paris, the Orchestre Philarmonique de Radio France, the Orchestre National de France and the Orchestre National d'Ile-de-France.
Nurtured by the traditions of the Russian school of pianists, then that of Claudio Arrau, she performed in France (Salle Gaveau, Salle Cortot, Fondation Cziffra, Goethe Institut, Festival Debussy, Lyon, Pianissimes), in Great Britain (London, Leister), in Switzerland (Geneva, Lausanne, Neuchâtel), in Italy, Holland, Belgium, in the United States…
Born in Belgrade, Jasmina Kulaglich achieved a unanimous First Prize from the High National Music Academy in her native city, the “Grand Prize” of the “Arts University”, First Prize in the Competition for Serbian pianists and the “October Prize” from the City of Belgrade. Following this she pursued her studies in France and Switzerland with Edith Fischer and Aquiles Delle Vigne, then with Georgy Sebok and Karl Kammerling.
Jasmina Kulaglich also released the Naxos CD « Byzantine Mosaic » in the World Premiere, presenting the Serbian composer Svetislav Bozic. The CD received, among others, the highest award from the famous belgium classical magazine « Crescendo » and still attracts attention from critics for its originality. "It's a record of rare beauty" (ResMusica)
Jasmina founded the Trio Botticelli and recently the Trio Bohème with whom she released the album “The Seasons” with the Tchaikovsky / Piazzolla program and received outstanding reviews across Europe.
Jasmina is also holding position of the faculty at the High Academy “Pole Supérieur 93” in Paris and is giving masterclasses in Italy and Portugal, as well as for Chinese pianists in France
. “The fingers of Serbian pianist Jasmina Kulaglich undertake the particular style of each piece with great enthusiasm, avoiding uniformity… with all the vigor required… cloudy and subtle… fresh and spontaneous… she knows how to bring out the spirit of each score
Catalin Dima
Hailed as a pianist that displays “an expressive and unleashed interpretation, transcending all the technical challenges of the score…a gift to the audience” (Radio Romania Muzical/Romanian Music Radio), Catalin Dima has established himself as one of the leading artists of his generation. As a Romanian pianist residing in the US, he performed throughout both countries, in acclaimed venues such as the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall (NYC), the Klavierhaus (NYC), the Cosmos Club (Washington D.C.), the Preston Bradley Hall (Chicago), the Romanian Athenaeum (Romania), the Thalia Concert Hall (Romania), the Mihail Jora Philharmonic Hall (Romania), the Oltenia Philharmonic Hall (Romania), and the Pitesti Philharmonic Hall (Romania).
His engagements with orchestras include concerts with the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra, the Pitesti Philharmonic Orchestra, the Washington Sinfonietta, the Shenandoah Conservatory Symphony Orchestra, and the Symphonic Winds at SOSU.
Catalin Dima is a prize winner of numerous international piano competitions, including Karl Filtsch International Piano Competition (Sibiu), Fr. Chopin International Piano Competition (Hartford, CT), Pro Piano International Competition (Bucharest), and Yamaha Piano Competition (Bucharest).
His commitment to championing contemporary music is evident through his innovative programming. Dr. Dima combines mainstream and rare piano repertoire, currently focusing on Romanian, American, and Japanese composers. His dedication to artistic exploration and experimentation reflects his unwavering commitment to keeping classical music vibrant and relevant in the modern age. As a chamber musician, Dr. Dima worked with Pulitzer Prize-winning composers such as David Lang, Jennifer Higdon, and John Corigliano, and performed in concerts with distinguished music groups dedicated to contemporary music such as Edge Ensemble (Shenandoah Conservatory) and Great Noise Ensemble (Washington D.C.). Together with violinist Alexandru Malaimare, Dr. Dima started a duo project that includes lectures and concerts and promotes Romanian music throughout the U.S. Their engagements included tours in Indiana, Illinois, D.C., Virginia, Oklahoma, and Texas.
During the summer, Dr. Dima serves as a guest artist and faculty at the Chamber Music Conference Festival, hosted by Colgate University in upstate New York. He participated in renowned international music festivals such as the International Keyboard Institute and Festival (NYC), the Interharmony International Music Festival (Germany), and the International Summer Academy Prague-Wien-Budapest (Austria).
A frequent guest artist and adjudicator, Catalin Dima is a member of the Music Teachers National Association and College Music Society. He has served as a judge in festivals and competitions such as the Texas MTA, Oklahoma MTA, Denison Piano Competition, the 26th Washington Conservatory of Music. Festival, Texoma Piano Competition, NVMTA Piano Achievement Awards, and Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy Festival.
Beyond his achievements as a performer, Dr. Dima is a respected leader in the music community, serving as the Executive Director of the Texoma Piano Competition and the Artistic Director of the Musical Art Series at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Through his leadership roles, he spearheads initiatives to promote musical excellence and artistic innovation, enriching the cultural landscape of the community.
Dr. Dima's dedication to institution and professional service is further evidenced by his involvement in search committees and his contributions to conferences and festivals, where he shares his expertise and insights with colleagues and students alike.
A native of Romania, Dr. Dima holds degrees from Shenandoah University (D.M.A.), Mannes School of Music (M.M.), and the Romanian National University of Music in Bucharest (M.M., B.M.). Currently, he serves as the Assistant Professor of Piano at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
Hai jin
Dr. Jin has performed over 200 recitals throughout the United States and Asia. She has received numerous awards and prizes in competitions including Outstanding Teaching Award at WPTA China North America International Piano Competition, Liszt competition in the Art of Piano Festival, University of Cincinnati Concerto Competition, Schimmel Piano Competition, and Mozart Concerto Competition in China. She made her United States debut in 2010 upon an invitation from Boston University. She has appeared as a soloist throughout the United States and Asia and has performed as a soloist with numerous orchestras such as Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Association Orchestra, Cincinnati Concert Orchestra, China Conservatory Orchestra, and Shanxi String Chamber Orchestra, etc. She has collaborated with violinist Haoli Lin on his debut Album “Romantic Journey,” for which a Fanfare Magazine critic Robert Maxham Heralds stated the album as both “breathtaking” and “urgently recommended.” Additionally, she recorded the Duo Album with Violinist Yabing Tan by Great Wall Classics. For teaching, Dr. Jin appeared as faculty in Music festivals such as Great Wall Music Academy and Cleveland International Music Festival. She has taught masterclasses at Norfolk State University, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University, as well as China Conservatory of Music, and has given a lecture for Tidewater Music Teachers Association. She previously taught at Minzu University in China as an Assistant Professor. In addition, she was an Assistant Conductor at Maryland Lyric Opera. She has
served on the piano juries of Virginia Music Teachers Association Concerto Competition, Nachman & Zurstadt Competition, Washington Universal Piano Competition, CCTV Young Artist Music Competition, and Cultures of China Water Cube Cup Music Competition, and more. Since 2021, she has been a co-chair of the MTMCA Ensemble Recital/Competition. Dr. Jin pursued her DMA at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in Piano Performance with a cognate area in Orchestral Conducting. At the same institution, her AD and MM in Piano Performance were completed under the guidance of pianists Awadagin Pratt and James Tocco. Her BM in Piano Performance is from China Conservatory. In addition to English, she speaks Chinese and Korean fluently.
Jury of voice
Jiyeon Hwang
Dr. Jiyeon Hwang is a Korean lyric coloratura soprano recognized for her bright, sweet timbre and impressive vocal range. She serves as Assistant Professor of Voice and Choir at Texas A&M International University, where she leads the voice and choral programs and teaches Applied Voice, Song Literature, Voice Methods, Opera Workshop, and Choir. She has performed widely in operatic roles, recitals, and concerts across the United States, Italy, the Czech Republic, and South Korea. A frequent award winner and competition finalist, Dr. Hwang was selected as a representative singer by the North Central Chapter of NATS, and she received the William Vernard Award from the National Round. She has also received the Gold Award from the Forte International Vocal Competition, Third Prize at the San Francisco International Innovative Competition, and First Prize in the Kenwood Symphony Orchestra Competition.
She made her Carnegie Hall debut at Weill Recital Hall in 2022. Her recent operatic appearances include roles such as Adina (L’elisir d’amore), Adele (Die Fledermaus), Susanna (Le nozze di Figaro), Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Lisette (La Rondine), Berta (Il Barbiere di Siviglia), and Lakmé (Lakmé), among others. With a passion for vocal excellence, cultural exchange, and interdisciplinary collaboration, Dr. Hwang continues to engage in research focusing on vocal health, expressive artistry, and the role of music in rehabilitation and outreach. She is a rising leader in vocal pedagogy and performance, inspiring the next generation of singers through her teaching, artistry, and innovation.
“Two of the voice judges will be announced soon."