South Korean cellist Gaeun Kim has won first place alongside a $12,000 cash prize

Founded in 1997 following a request to the Allentown Symphony Association from Edwin and Leigh Schadt, the Schadt String Competition alternates every other year between violin and cello, and is open to those aged 18 to 30.

Featuring the cello, the 25th edition has awarded first prize and $12,000 to Gaeun Kim, who will also have the chance to perform solo with Pennsylvania’s Allentown Symphony Orchestra (ASO) in the 2025 season, plus receive outreach concert opportunities and potential ASO recitals. 

Currently based in New York, Kim’s accolades have included first prize and the Pablo Casals Special Prize at the 2022 Klein International Competition, and first prize at the 2023 New York Young Artist Award. 

The $5,000 second prize and the audience favorite prize went to cellist Megan Yip, who will also receive a solo recital in Allentown in March 2025. Third prize with $2,500 was awarded to cellist Aaron Wolff. 

Jury members for the finals comprised Anthony Elliott, Norman Fischer, and Diane Wittry. The preliminary judges included Julian Schwarz and David Ying.