Semi-Finalists Announced at the Stulberg International String Competition

Twelve young players will proceed to the live rounds and compete for more than $30,000 in prize money

Twelve young players have been selected to proceed to the semi-final round of the Stulberg International String Competition, held annually in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The Stulberg competition is open to players of any string instrument (including double bass) who are aged 19 or under.

The semi-finals are the first live round, with these players being selected from all those who sent in applications.

The selected players are as follows:

• Starla Breshears, cello
• Pearl de la Motte, viola
• Mio Imai, violin
• Joshua Kováč, cello
• Christian Luevano, double bass
• Erica Nam, violin
• Jiyu Oh, violin
• Iris Shepherd, violin
• Nicholas Wong, cello
• Daniel Yim, cello
• Lauren Yoon, violin
• Yanzi Zhou, violin

These players will perform live in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Friday, May 17, and Saturday, May 18, 2024. They will perform a selection from a required list of Bach and a movement(s) from a standard concerto. Then, six players will be selected for the final round, where they will perform the remaining movements of their concerto to determine the medalists.

First Prize carries a value of $10,000, as well as a concerto performance with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra (Julian Kuerti, Music Director) and/or the Grand Rapids Symphony (Marcelo Lehninger, Music Director), as well as a concerto performance with the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra (Markand Thakar, Music Director) in the subsequent season.

Second Prize is worth $7,000, and a performance with the Western Michigan University Symphony Orchestra (Bruce Uchimura, Music Director). Third Prize is worth $5,000, and a performance with the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra (Andrew Koehler, Music Director).

The nine semifinalists not chosen for medals will each receive a $1,000 stipend.

In 2024, the jury comprises Annalee Patipatanakoon (violin), Roman Borys (cello), and Jamie Parker (piano).