Aaron Tan

Congratulations to concert organist and Eastman DMA student Aaron Tan on the release of ten recordings featuring works from the largely forgotten early 20th-century organ collection, L’Orgue Moderne, curated by French pedagogues Charles-Marie Widor and Alexandre Guilmant. Supported initially by a Mentorship Grant from the Institute for Music Leadership at the Eastman School of Music,…

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Joel Hoo

Congratulations to Master of Music student Joel Hoo who recently won an award at the Midwest Flim Festival for his score to Wind Walker, directed by Daniel Zhang. A composer, improviser, producer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist, Joel has had his works performed nationwide at venues including San Francisco’s Heron Arts and Los Angeles’s Walt Disney Concert…

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Zhiwei “Victor” Ni ’24E

DECEMBER 10, 2025 | Congratulations to Eastman clarinetist and current master’s student Zhiwei “Victor” Ni ’24E for winning the clarinet position in the Albany Symphony Orchestra, beginning in 2026. He will join master’s clarinet student Daniel Ketter who currently serves as principal clarinet. Zhiwei is from the studio of Professor Michael Wayne.   OCTOBER 21,…

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Allison Young

DECEMBER 9, 2025 | Congratulations to baritone saxophonist and woodwind doubler Allison Young, chosen as one of five winners of the Jazz Education Network’s 2026 Sisters in Jazz Competition. In January, Allison will attend the 17th annual JEN Conference in New Orleans where she will rehearse and perform with the selected quintet, directed by world-renowned…

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Joe Osterstock

Congratulations to media composition graduate student Joe Osterstock, who has been recognized in the 2025 American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers (ASMAC) competition. His piece Aria for piano trio earned second place in the Pat Williams Composing and Arranging division, along with a $500 prize. Joe is currently studying at the Eastman School of Music’s…

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Alex Gagne and Austin Shilling

Congratulations to Eastman School of Music students Alex Gagne and Austin Shilling for being top prize winners of the 2025 Nico Toscano Young Musician Competition, placing first in separate divisions. Each was awarded a cash prize of $400 and the opportunity to perform with the Cordancia Chamber Orchestra in 2026. A first-year student from the…

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Isaac Moorman ’24E (MM)

Congratulations to Eastman DMA candidate and cellist Isaac Moorman ’24E (MM) for winning the Jack Heller Young Artist Competition in Tampa, Florida, with pianist and fellow DMA candidate Veniamin Blokh accompanying. As winner of the competition, he will receive a cash prize of $3000 and will be the featured soloist in 3 performances with the…

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Alexander Little

OCTOBER 28, 2025 | Congratulations to DMA and Artists’ Certificate student Alexander Little for winning first place at the prestigious Albert Schweitzer International Organ Competition in Saarbrucken, Germany earlier this month, taking home a grand prize award of 15,000 euros.  APRIL 15, 2025 | Alexander won first place and the “audience prize” at this year’s…

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