Concerto Competition

Meet The Selected Soloists for the 2026 Concerto Competition

HYDEN HO

Sixteen-year-old Vancouver-born Hyden Ho began studying the violin at age five. Violin has been a constant in his life, and he loves sharing music that connects people and brings joy.

Hyden has received recognition in competitions across British Columbia and beyond. He earned 2nd place at the 2025 Canadian Music Competition in Quebec in the 15–18 age category and represented Vancouver Kiwanis at the BC Provincial Festival in 2023, 2024, and 2025. 

Hyden is a dedicated member of the Vancouver Academy of Music Orchestra, where he has gained valuable orchestral experience. Through his love of chamber music, he has participated in the Banff International String Quartet Competition Youth Program (2025), Sea to Sky Chamber Music Camp, and the Vancouver Island Music Academy Summer Camp. These experiences have helped him as both a collaborator and a performer. He currently studies with Dominic Woo and Lawrie Hill, and previously studied with Ashley Plaut.

JIAYU LI

Jiayu (Angela) Li is a Grade 10 student at Archbishop Carney Regional Secondary School (ACRSS) in Port Coquitlam. She began playing the violin at age 8 and currently studies with Ji Eun Jenny Lim at the Vancouver Academy of Music. 

In 2024, Jiayu was awarded the Chua Tiempo Memorial Scholarship at the Edith Lando Gifted Youth Competition and represented British Columbia at the Canada West Music Festival, earning an Honourable Mention in the Junior B category. The following year, she received the I.O.D.E. Scholarship at the Kay Meek Competition and represented the VAYA Music Festival at Provincials (PABC), receiving first place in the intermediate strings category. She also won the Grand Prize at the 3rd Edition of the Canada Virtuoso Young Artists Music Competition. Her ultimate goal is to become a professional violinist.

RACHEL WANG

Rachel Wang is a 12 year old pianist who approaches music with passion and a strong sense of commitment. She began studying piano at the age of three and is currently under the guidance of Ian Parker. Rachel has earned numerous awards in local, national, and international piano competitions and performances.

Some of her notable achievements include first place in the Franz Liszt International Youth Piano Competition and the Canadian Music Competition, and the Overall Grand Prize in the Vancouver International Music Competition, where she was honoured to perform at the Gala Concert at the Vancouver Playhouse. Rachel was also the youngest finalist in the 28th World Music International Competition, and she won third place at the International Piano Competition Taunus Germany.

Dedicated to using her music to give back to the community, Rachel has performed as a guest pianist at a Vancouver Fraser Lions Club and at the 6th Annual “Beat Goes On” Charity Gala, supporting the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta.

Beyond music, Rachel enjoys reading and playing badminton, embracing a well-rounded approach to life. She is deeply grateful for the opportunities she has received and aspires to continue sharing her love for music with others.

MICHIYO YU

Michi is a 14-year-old violinist who has received numerous awards and scholarships, earning first prize at the Canadian Music Competition in 2023, and placing first at the Canada West Performing Arts Festival and the Stradivari Concerto Competition in 2025. Michi currently studies with Dominic Woo and Lawrie Hill.

Michi is inspired by the social aspects and teamwork of orchestral music and is a devoted chamber musician. She is proud that the duos, quartets and quintets she plays with have been recognized with multiple awards over the years. Michi’s recent residency with the Peak Quintet at the Banff International String Quartet Competition Youth Chamber Music Program affirmed her passion for collaborative music-making. 

Born in Vancouver, Michi began studying the violin at the age of 4 with her first teacher, Ashley Plaut, and her first performance as a soloist was at the age of 8 with the Vancouver Academy of Music Junior Orchestra. She is currently a 9th grade student in the Byng Arts Strings Program at Lord Byng Secondary School and a member of the Vancouver Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra.

JIMMY WANG

Jimmy Wang began formal cello studies at an early age and demonstrated exceptional promise from the outset. At the ages of ten and eleven, he won first prize twice at the Yangtze River Delta Cello Competition in China. He subsequently served as principal cellist of the Hangzhou Youth Symphony Orchestra, performing on multiple concert tours across major cities in China and developing substantial orchestral and stage experience.

After relocating to Vancouver, Jimmy continued his advanced training with Joseph Elworthy — distinguished cellist and President of the Vancouver Academy of Music. He was awarded the Vancouver Academy of Music Silver Scholarship in recognition of his outstanding musical achievement, artistic growth, and high potential as a young cellist.

MINA STEFANOVIC

16-year-old Mina Stefanovic, from Tsawwassen, BC, has already received widespread praise for being a pianist of great poise, energy, sensitivity, fluidity, and with beautiful lyrical qualities. Since 2023, she has been under the musical guidance of Dr. Libby Yu, after having previously studied with Rebecca Chan and Suzanne Klukas.

Mina has received widespread recognition in national, provincial and local competitions, including First Place in the Pacific International Music Festival Senior Category in 2023, First Place in the 2024 Canadian Music Festival, and being selected as the Senior Piano Provincial Delegate for Performing Arts BC in 2025.

After placing first in the 15 year-old category of the 2025 Canadian Music Competition National Audition in BC, she received third place nationally in the Piano 15 to 18 years-old category at the CMC National Finals held in Sherbrooke, Quebec.

Mina made her orchestral debut at age 15 with the Richmond Orchestra under Maestro James Malmberg. In August 2025, Mina was the sole Canadian winner of the Vancouver Piano Sessions’ International Concerto Competition, and as a result, performed with the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra under Maestro Kenneth Hsieh, in Vancouver’s Christ Church Cathedral.

Mina performed a solo recital, “Keys for Care” in June 2025 to raise funds for the Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation, and she regularly performs recitals for the seniors at Augustine House in Ladner.

Beyond the piano, Mina actively participates in math competitions and competes in track and field.

About the Competition

Every 2 years, the VPO hosts a Concerto Competition to showcase local talent and give young musicians the opportunity to perform with a full Symphony Orchestra.

The competition is open to serious young, amateur musicians who play any instrument (cello, piano, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet...there are no limitations). Six finalists will have an opportunity to perform one movement of a concerto with a full-sized symphony orchestra. In addition, cash prizes for the winners will be awarded on the evening of the competition. Preference will be given to students who are serious about pursuing a career in music.

Applications for the VPO’s 2025/2026 Concerto Competition are now closed. Buy Tickets here to watch the Competition on February 21, 2026.

Competition Details

  • Eligible applicants must either be registered full-time in a secondary or post-secondary institution, or they must be under the age of 19.

  • To apply, the following must be submitted:

    • Application Form (Download Form Here)

    • Recording(s) of you performing one work, or preferably two contrasting works. The recording does not need to be the same piece you intend to perform live for the competition (though it is recommended), but it must demonstrate your ability and should be of similar difficulty to the proposed performance piece. The recording quality need not be professional. Links to online audio or video recordings is preferred (e.g., YouTube), but we will also accept CD/DVD/USB recordings mailed to the address below.

    • $25 application fee payable by e-transfer to vancouver.philharmonic@gmail.com, or by cheque or money order made out to “Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra” and mailed to the address below.

  • A review committee comprised of VPO members will select up to six finalists from among all of the applicants. The finalists will be invited to perform one movement of a concerto (maximum duration: 15 minutes) with the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra in front of a live audience.

    The piece of music selected should be available through public domain sources (e.g., imslp.org). If it is not, the finalist may be asked to provide the orchestral music. There is no specified repertoire list to choose from, but the orchestra reserves the right to require applicants to choose different pieces, if necessary (e.g., in the event that two or more finalists select the same work, one will be asked to perform an alternate selection).

    Finalists must be available to attend two rehearsals on Wednesday nights leading up to the final competition, as well as the Friday night dress rehearsal on February 20, 2026. The competition will take place on Saturday, February 21, 2026, 7:30pm at Shaughnessy Heights United Church, 1550 West 33 rd Ave, Vancouver.

  • A panel of judges will announce the winners at the end of the concert.

    • The first place winner will be awarded $500, plus an additional $500 from the David Clark Performance Development Award for further music lessons, training, or education.

    • Second ($250) and third place ($100) prizes will also be awarded.

    • All six finalists will receive a professional audio recording of their performance.

  • Applications for the 2025/2026 Concerto Competition have now closed.

  • An example of past application forms can be found here: