Klein International String Competition Names Three Finalists

Tune in on June 8 at 6 PM (ET) for the exciting final round — LIVE on The Violin Channel

Open to musicians aged 15 to 23, the Irving M. Klein International String Competition's 40th edition is currently underway. The final round will be held at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music on June 8, 2025.

Join us here on The Violin Channel as we stream the competition LIVE.

The 2025 finalists are:

• Noam Ginsparg, cello, 21 (NY) | Bienen School of Music at Northwestern; studies with Hans Jensen
• Julia Schilz, violin, 22 (OH) | The Juilliard School; studies with Catherine Cho and Donald Weilerstein
• Miles Reed, cello, 22 (MA) | Oberlin Conservatory of Music; studies with Dmitry Kouzov

The grand prize includes a $5,000 cash award funded by the MOCA Foundation as well as performance contracts valued at $15,000 with the Peninsula and Santa Cruz Symphonies, Gualala Arts Chamber Series, and more.

Second prize (given by Ruth Short in memory of Elaine H. Klein) will involve a $3,500 cash prize and a performance with the San José Chamber Orchestra valued at $5,500. Third prize (given in memory of Milton Preves by Judith and David Anderson) is awarded with $2,500.

The two fourth prizes of $1,500 each are given by Maria Klein in memory of Jerry Lee Klein, and by the Tarka Quartet in memory of Ron Goldman.

Additionally, each semifinalist not awarded a named prize will receive $1,000, and awards of $500 each will be given for the best performance of the commissioned work by John Harbison and of the solo Bach.

The 2025 jury comprises Glenn Dicterow, Karen Dreyfus, Barbara Day Turner, Hal Robinson, John Wineglass, Jory Fankuchen, and Eileen Moon.

Past winners of the competition include Frank Huang, Jennifer Koh, Mark Kosower, Oliver Herbert, Robert deMaine, Teng Li, Vadim Gluzman, and VC Artists Tessa Lark, Nikki Chooi, and Zlatomir Fung.