Applications Open for ISANGYUN Competition 2025 Cello Discipline

The competition is open to cellists born between November 1, 1995, and October 31, 2010

Established in 2003, the ISANGYUN Competition is held in honor of the renowned composer Isang Yun. With the aim of fostering emerging musical talent, the event alternates annually between three disciplines: cello, piano, and violin.

Applications for the cello edition of the ISANGYUN Competition 2025 are currently open for those born between November 1, 1995, and October 31, 2010, regardless of nationality. To apply, click here. The deadline is Thursday, July 31, Korean Standard Time (KST).

The First Round competitors will be announced on Friday, August 29. The main rounds will take place from Saturday, November 1, to Sunday, November 9. Finalists will have the opportunity to perform with the Tongyeong Festival Orchestra.

The ISANGYUN Competition 2025 provides round-trip international airfare for participants residing abroad, including an additional seat for the cello. In addition, all participants will be provided with accommodation and meals at designated lodging facilities from Friday, October 31, 2025, until their official participation concludes.

For the main rounds, the jury will include Chairperson Arto Noras, Kangho Lee, Maria Kliegel, Clive Greensmith, Jian Wang, Doo-Min Kim, Andreas Vierziger, Hiroyasu Yamamoto, and Louise Hopkins.

The competition begins each year on November 3, marking the anniversary of Yun’s passing. In 2006, the competition became the first in Korea and the second in Asia to be admitted as a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions (WFIMC), a UNESCO-affiliated organization.

Notable past winners include cellists Narek Hakhnazaryan (2006), Sang Eun Lee & Christine Jeong Hyoun Lee (2018), and Jaemin Han (2022); violinists Yu-Chien Tseng (2011), Jinjoo Cho (2011) and Ji Won Song (2017); and pianists Dasol Kim (2005), Sofia Gulyak (2008), William Youn (2008), and Yunchan Lim (2019).