Ion Voicu International Violin Competition Announces 2025 Semi-Finalists

Eight violinists are competing for a chance to perform in the final round with the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra 

The first edition of the Ion Voicu International Violin Competition is taking place in Bucharest from April 7 to 12, 2025. Open to applicants aged between 16 and 30, from anywhere in the world, the 2025 semi-finalists include:

• Heckel Elie, France
• Wakana Kimura, Japan
• Jaime Naya, Spain
• Ririka Fukuda, Japan
• Koshiro Takeuchi, Japan
• Madalina Ivancia, Romania
• Elias David Moncado, Germany
• Sebastian Manning Craciun, Romania

The final three will perform at the Romanian Athenaeum, accompanied by the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of maestro Gabriel Bebeșelea.

First Prize carries a value of €6,000, Second Prize is worth €4,000, and Third Prize €2,000 — plus all three prizewinners will receive an opportunity to appear as soloist alongside a major Romanian orchestra.

In 2025, the jury will comprise Mihaela Martin (Chair), George Tudorache (Artistic Director), Pavel Vernikov, Lucie Robert, and Alexandru Tomescu.