The Ann & Charles Eisemann International Young Artists Competition returns to Richardson in its celebration of young musical talent!

This year, the competition focuses on strings, with a captivating performance featuring the three finalists on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church Richardson, located at 503 N US 75-Central Expy 1000, Richardson, TX 75080. The semi-final round will begin at 9 a.m. and the final round will begin at approximately 4 p.m. The entire competition is free to attend and open to the public. 

The competition, held in alternating years for piano and strings, promises a thrilling showcase of talent in the string category. Open to young string performers ages 14 through 27, this year's competitors are coming from all over the states and beyond.

This year, 16 semi-finalists will compete for the final three spots. Among the impressive lineup are individuals at prestigious institutions, across the nation and around the globe: Sarah Dabin Baek from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music; Bethany Grace Bobbs who attends Julliard School; Annie Jacobs-Perkins from Barenboim Said Academy in Germany; Dylan Lee Kinneavy from Minneapolis; Joshua Kovac from Johnson City, Tennessee; Alex Lavine, a student at the Manhattan School of Music; Hyunah Lee from Stony Brook University; Sunwoo Lee from the University of Southern California;Sophie Leung from Los Angeles; Christian Luevano from Curtis Institute of Music; Eliane Menzel from Juilliard; Madison Oh from Eastman School of Music; Samuele Parrini from Juilliard; Belle Ra from Eastman School of Music; Fiona Shea from Colburn Conservatory; and Nicholas Wong from Houston, Texas.

The 2024 competition judges are Patinka Kopec and David Geber. Patinka Kopec has been a faculty member of the Manhattan School of Music since 1987 and teaches in the Pre College and College Divisions. David Geber has also been a member of the Manhattan School of Music College faculty since 1984 and of the Precollege faculty since 2004.

The Grand Prize Winner, to be announced at the conclusion of the competition, will not only receive a cash prize of $5,000 but will also have the opportunity of performing alongside the Richardson Symphony Orchestra on March 2, 2024. The purpose of the Ann & Charles Eisemann Young Artist Competition is to recognize talented young musicians and to give these artists the opportunity to perform with the Richardson Symphony Orchestra.