Classical Music News

Finalists Announced at Cooper International Violin Competition

January 9, 2025

2 MIN READ

Tune in to The Violin Channel to watch the final round of the competition LIVE on January 10, 2025

The annual Thomas and Evon Cooper International Competition features alternating editions for young pianists and violinists. Its violin edition is currently being held at Ohio’s Oberlin College and Conservatory until January 10.

The semi-final round recently concluded and can be watched here on The Violin Channel. The three finalists who will advance to the final round are: Julia Xiaozhuo Wang, Edna Unseld, and Tiantian Lu.

The top three finalists will be awarded full four-year tuition scholarships to Oberlin Conservatory, if granted a successful application. On January 10 at 7:30 PM (ET), they will perform with the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra and conductor Norman Huynh in Oberlin College’s Finney Chapel.

Jinan Laurentia Woo received 4th place, Emrik Revermann got 5th place, and Lauren Yoon was given 6th place. The fourth, fifth, and sixth prize winners will be awarded $1,500 each, and the recipient of the Audience Prize will receive $500.

First prize is valued at $20,000; second prize is $10,000; and third prize will be $5,000.

In partnership with MKI Artists, the 2025 first prize winner will also receive career mentorship and experience working with an agency during the next two concert seasons. The first prize winner will further gain a two-year loan of a fine violin from Jonathan Solars Fine Violins.

Chaired by Sibbi Bernhardsson, the 2025 jury comprised Catherine Cho, Francesca dePasquale, Peter Herresthal, Xie Nan, and William van der Sloot.

Past violin winners of the Cooper Competition include Seohyun Kim, Eric Charles Chen, VC Young Artist Johan Dalene, Gallia Kastner, and Belle Ting.