YOUNG ARTISTS'
COMPETITION
The 2025–26 competition is dedicated exclusively to voice, spotlighting exceptional singers in Opera and Musical Theatre.
Winners will receive cash prizes and may be selected to perform as a soloist with the Burlington Symphony Orchestra during our 2026/27 season.
young artist competition
2025-26 Season is Now Open!
Burlington Symphony Orchestra is excited to announce our 2025-26 Young Artist Competition. The Burlington Symphony Orchestra supports and encourages promising young artists by offering them the chance to perform as a soloist with a symphony orchestra.
The 2025–26 competition is dedicated exclusively to voice, spotlighting exceptional singers in Opera and Musical Theatre.
Winners will receive cash prizes and will perform as a soloist alongside the Burlington Symphony Orchestra during our 2026/27 season.
- The competition is open to voice discipline
- There is no minimum age however only Burlington resident candidates will be considered for the Emerging Young Artist Award.
- Canadian citizenship is a requirement, and the musician must reside or study in Ontario.
Start by completing the online application form here with your basic information and category selection. This helps us get to know you and ensure you're entered in the correct category.
Prepare Your Repertoire
Opera Category:
3 opera arias, preferably
contrasting works and languages
Musical Theatre Category:
2 selections from musicals
Piano accompaniment is preferred.
Important Dates
Deadline for submission is November 3, 2025. Winners will be notified by November 14, 2025.
Adjudicators will not provide feedback to applicants.
Questions or More Info
Inquiries can be emailed to: youngartists@burlingtonsymphony.ca
Spotlight Alumni
Our Past Winners
The Young Artist Competition has been a launching point for many exceptional musicians. Explore the achievements of our past winners and their contributions to the world of music.
2024 – 2025
Tiffany Yeung, Violin
First Place Winner | Strings/Piano
Daniel Wang, Oboe
First Place Winner | Winds/Brass/Percussion
Alexandra Ma, Piano
Emerging Young Artist Winner
May 12, 2019
2018 Senior
Katelyn Emery, violin – Brahms: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77, i. Allegro non troppo
2018 Junior
Eena Yoon, cello – Dvořák: Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104, B. 191, i. Allegro
May 10, 2020
2019 First Place
Diane Kim, violin – Jules Conus: Violin Concerto, 1st & 2nd mvmts
2019 Second Place (no performance)
Britton-Rene Collins, marimba – Sergei Golovko: The Russian Marimba Concerto
2019 Emerging Artist (no performance)
Samantha Yang, cello – Elgar: Cello Concerto in E minor, 4th mvmt
2023-24 Season Winners
Strings/Piano – Elliot Sloss
Winds/Brass/Percussion – Amiel Ang
Emerging Young Artist – Ethan Hyo Jeon
November 3, 2013
2013 Junior
Johann Derecho, piano – Greig: Piano Concerto in A minor, 1st movement
Jayyne Kao, bassoon – Weber: Andante & Rondo Ungarese, Op.35
March 7, 2015
2014 Competition
Leslie Bickle, soprano – W.A. Mozart: “Ach, ich fühls” (from Die Zauberflöte, K.620)
Artem Kopylov, piano – Beethoven: Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15, 1st movement
Julia Debowska, soprano – W.A. Mozart: “Ora Pro Nobis” (from Regina Coeli, K.108)
Lynn Sue-A-Quan, violin – Saint-Saëns: Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28
Marko Pejanovic, piano – Chopin: Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11, 1st movement
Christopher Cancian, clarinet – Weber: Concerto No. 1 in F minor, Op. 73, 1st movement
Thomas Dobrovich, piano – Rachmaninoff: Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18, 1st movement
March 6, 2016
2015 Junior
Sarah Ning, piano – W.A. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor, K.491, 1st movement
2015 Senior
Marina Davis, mezzo soprano – W.A. Mozart: “Alma grande e nobil core”, KV 578
April 2, 2017
2016 Junior
Aled, Maslin & Matisse Blundell, trumpets – Georg Philipp Telemann: Concerto No. 3 for Three Trumpets in D
2016 Senior
Joanna Gorska, violin – Henri Wieniawski: Polonaise de Concert for Violin
2016 Junior runner-ups
Hannah Corbett, violin – Jules Conus: Violin Concerto, 1st Movement
Lindsay Bui, piano – Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, 1st Movement
2016 Senior runner-up
Kari Abraham, lyric soprano – Bizet: Michaela’s Aria from Carmen; Puccini: Musetta’s Walz from La Boheme
February 18, 2018
2017 Senior co-winner
Joshua Lee, violin – Saint-Saëns: Violin concerto No. 3 Op 61 in B minor, 1st mvmt
2017 Senior runner-up
Christina Bell, soprano – Puccini: “Sì, mi chiamano Mimì” from La Bohème
May 13, 2018
2017 Senior co-winner
Lyndsay Promane, mezzo-soprano – Gounod: “Que fais-tu, blanche tourterelle?” from Roméo et Juliette
2017 Junior
Erin Merkley, violin – Franz Joseph Haydn: Violin Concerto in G major, Hob.VIIa:4, I. Allegro Moderato
March 8, 2009
2008 Junior
Clarisse Schneider, violin – Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E Minor, 1st Movement
2008 Senior
Eric Mohr, bassoon – Nino Rota: Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra
March 7, 2010
2009 Junior
Leslie Ashworth, violin – Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E Minor, 1st Movement
Slavko Popovic, clarinet – Weber: Concertino for Clarinet, 1st Movement
May 23, 2010
2010 Junior
Bogdan Chetraru, bassoon – Mozart: Bassoon Concerto, 1st Movement
2010 Senior
Adam Despinic, violin – Mozetich: Affairs of the Heart, 1st Movement
November 13, 2011
2011 Senior
Blake Pouliot, violin – Paolo de Saraste: Carmen Fantasy
December 11, 2011
2011 Junior
Emma Meinrenken, violin – Lalo: Symphonie Espagnol, 5th Movement
2011 Senior
Clarisse Schneider, violin – Wieniawski: Violin Concerto #2
December 9, 2012
2012 Junior
Katelyn Emery, violin – Max Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, 1st & 2nd movements
2012 Senior
Paul Barna, viola – Ernest Bloch: Suite Hébraïque
November 1 and 2, 2003
2003 Junior
Gertrude Trinh, cello – Haydn: Cello Concerto in C, Allegro
2003 Senior
Jonathan Rogers, flute – Mozart: Flute Concerto in D, Allegro
December 3 and 5, 2004
2004 Junior
Jenna Rak, flute – Quantz: Flute Concerto in G, Allegro
2004 Senior
Joanna Tang, violin – Tchaikovsky: Concerto Op. 35, 3rd movement
2004 Senior (Voice)
Marion Samuel-Stevens, soprano – Mahler: Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen, Ich atmet’ einen linden Duft, Blicke mir nicht in die Lieder
October 30, 2005
2005 Senior
Charlie Henderson, tuba – Vaughan Williams: Concerto for Tuba, 1st movement
March 10 and 11, 2006
2005 Junior
Josephine Liu, cello – Fauré: Élégie for Cello, Op 24
December 3, 2006
2006 Junior
Alex Morris and Elizabeth Gualtieri, violins – J.S. Bach: Concerto in D minor for 2 violins
2006 Senior
Joshua Morrison, saxophone – Glazunov: Concerto in E flat major
2006 Honorable Mention
Misty Johnson, Kelly Tiernay and Doda Song, flutes – Druste-Hulshuff: Symphonie Concertante for 3 flutes (Allegro)
November 30 & December 2, 2007
2007 Junior
Jeremy Trainor, violin – Vivaldi: Concerto in G minor, 3rd movement
2007 Senior
Adam Zinatelli, trumpet – Haydn: Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra
Adam’s audition piece was Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra by Arutunian.
May 11, 1997
1996 Junior
Rachel Desoer, cello – Fauré: Élégie for Cello, Op 24
1996 Senior
Tanya Wolf, recorder – Vivaldi: Concerto in C for Recorder and Orchestra
1996 Senior (Voice)
Nathalie Pasche, soprano – Mozart: Exultate, jubilate
December 6, 1997
1997 Junior
Courtney Prizrenac, French horn – Richard Strauss: Horn Concerto No. 1
1997 Senior
Elspeth Poole, cello – Lalo: Cello Concerto in D minor
November 27 & 28, 1998
1998 Junior
Radha Subramanian, flute – Quantz: Flute Concerto in G major
November 27, 1999
1999 Junior
Caroline Whiting, violin – Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto Op 64, 2nd movement
1999 Senior
Matthew Choi, piano – Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1, 1st movement
November 18, 2000
2000 Junior
Radha Subramanian, flute – Mercadante: Flute Concerto in E minor
2000 Senior
Erika Broughton, flute – Chaminade: Flute Concerto Op. 107
December 1, 2001
2001 Junior
Courtney Prizrenac, French horn – Mozart: Horn Concerto No. 2 K 417
2001 Senior
Sara Traficante, flute – Frank Martin: Ballade for Flute, Piano and Strings
November 16, 2002
2002 Senior
Lucy-Ana Gaston, violin – Saint-Saëns: Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso. Op. 28
February 15, 1992
1991 Junior
Sara Ward, cello – Saint-Saëns: Cello Concerto No. 1, 1st movement
Adam Simpson, violin – Wieniawski: Violin Concerto No. 2, 2nd and 3rd movements
1991 Senior
Francesca Brittan, piano – Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20, K 466, 1st movement
February 20, 1993
1992 Junior
Anthony Rullo, violin – Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto, Op. 64, 1st movement
Amanda Keesmat, cello – Fauré: Élégie for Cello, Op 24
1992 Senior
Rebecca Morton, cello – Dvořák: Rondo for cello and orchestra
February 26, 1994
1993 Junior
Jennifer Mae Barizo, piano – Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1, 1st movement
Eric Mackinnon, cello – Elgar: Cello Concerto Op.85, 1st movement
1993 Senior
Sun-Young Park, piano – Prokofiev: Piano Concerto Op. 26, 1st movement
February 18, 1995
1994 Junior
Caitlin Boyle, viola – Teleman: Concerto in C for viola, 1st and 2nd movements.
1994 Junior (Voice)
Rae Ellen Hutley, soprano – Grundman: “Zoo Illogical”
1994 Senior
Galina Zisk, piano – Chopin: Piano Concerto Op 21, 1st movement
February 17, 1996
1995 Junior
Elspeth Poole, cello – Saint-Saëns: Cello Concerto No. 1, Op. 33, Allegro
1995 Senior
Adam Simpson, violin – Vieuxtemps: Violin Concerto No. 5, Op. 37
November 27, 1999
The Burlington Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition is now closed for this year. Check back in July for details on the 2025/26 competition!
Tiffany Yeung, Violin
First Place Winner | Strings/Piano
Named one of CBC Music’s “30 hot Canadian classical musicians under 30,” Tiffany Yeung made her debut with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in Roy Thomson Hall at
the age of 13. Tiffany was the winner of the 2023 Canada Council for the Arts Michael Measures Prize, won 2nd prize at the 2024 Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition, and was the recipient of the commissioned work prize at the 2023 OSM Competition. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree under Min-Jeong Koh and
Erika Raum at the Glenn Gould School, after beginning her studies at the New England Conservatory with Miriam Fried as a Dean’s Scholar. Tiffany performs on the 1869 Jean
Baptiste Vuillaume violin with Vuillaume model bow, on loan by the Canada Council for the Arts Musical Instrument Bank.
Daniel Wang, Oboe
First Place Winner | Winds/Brass/Percussion
Daniel Wang has been playing oboe for 6 years. Pursuing a Bachelor’s of Math in Computer Science at the University of Waterloo, he is involved in many musical activities at the university. He serves as the principal oboe at Orchestra@UWaterloo, a pianist in the Instrumental Chamber Ensembles Group, and plays oboe and piano in the Animusic Ensembles. Previously, Daniel has played both principal and second oboe at the Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, where he explored a variety of musical styles and genres, including Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and selections from Les Miserables. In addition, Daniel also plays the piano, and has won regional piano competitions multiple times over the years. During his music studies, he was awarded an Associate Diploma (ARCT) in performance, completing ARCT History and Harmony, of which he has a keen interest. Looking ahead, Daniel plans to remain engaged in music performances and stay involved with music.
Alexandra Ma, Piano
Emerging Young Artist Winner
Inspired to play the piano by her older sister, Alexandra Ma began her music journey at age six. Since then, she has received multiple awards in local, national, and international competitions. Alexandra made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2018 and her festival debut in 2019, where she was invited to perform in the Chopin Festival at Kurozwęki Palace, Poland. Alexandra’s first international win was a First Place at the Livorno Piano Competition in Italy. That same year, she received First prize at the 30th Young Musician International Competition ‘Città di Barletta’. Alexandra was among the youngest to receive her Associate Diploma in Piano Performance (ARCT) from the Royal Conservatory of Music at age 11. She won the Gold Award in the Steinway Piano Competition, received the Pianist of the Year Award from the London Young Musician of the Year, and First Place in the Junior Artist category at the Beethoven Young Musician Competition. She also received the Chopin Trophy at the CCC Piano & Violin Competition. At the Outstanding Young Musician International (OYMI) Music Festival in 2022, she won 4 First Prizes and was presented with the OYMI Music Festival Concert Tour Award. In 2023, Alexandra won the Adjudicator’s Choice Award with a scholarship at the Unionville Music Competition. She has participated in masterclasses with Ronan O’Hora at Orford Music Academy, Professors Steven Spooner, Yong Hi Moon, and John Perry. Aside from competing and giving recitals, she regularly gives back to her community by organizing free concerts at long-term care homes. Alexandra enjoys solving math problems, collecting stamps, and playing flute in her spare time. Alexandra currently studies with Dr. Michael Berkovsky at the Phil and Eli Taylor Performance Academy for Young Artists at the Royal Conservatory of Music and is mentored by Dr. Coral Solomon-Berkovsky.
