Johansen International Competition Announces 2025 Winners

Violinist Valery Breshears, violist Junyan Du, and cellist Joshua Kováč have won first place in their respective categories

Founded in 1997, Washington D.C.’s Johansen International Competition for Young String Players (JIC) is held every three years for violinists, violists, and cellists aged 13 to 17. 

The event involves a nearly $70,000 prize pool, including separate cash awards for winners in each of its instrument categories. The first place winners receive $10,000 each; second prize is $7,000; and third place is $5,000.

Prizewinners also receive performance opportunities and scholarships to Brevard Summer Institute and Festival and Morningside Music Bridge, plus five years of complimentary student membership to the Friday Morning Music Club Foundation (FMMC), which sponsors the competition. 

The 2025 results are:

VIOLIN

• 1st: Valery Breshears
• 2nd: Jiwoo Son
• 3rd: Elizabeth “Poppy” Song

VIOLA

• 1st: Junyan Du
• 2nd: Xunyu Zhou
• 3rd: Samuel Tatsuki

CELLO

• 1st: Joshua Kováč
• 2nd: Eiline Tai
• 3rd: Starla Breshears

The $1,000 award for the Best Performance of Commissioned Work went to cellist Eiline Tai, while violinist Mio Imai and cellist Matthew Ho were awarded the Judges’ Commendation. 

Past winners of JIC include VC Artists violinist Tessa Lark, cellist Zlatomir Fung, violinist Nancy Zhou, and violist Hae Sue Lee.