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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Congratulations to Eastman student Veniamin Blokh for recently placing in the Professional Categories of two prestigious music competitions, receiving a Gold Medal in the Manhattan International Music Competition and taking second prize in the Artists Category of the Pacific Stars International Piano Competition (Online Division), winning a certificate diploma along with an invitation to the…
Congratulations to Eastman student Huiping Cai for recently taking top prize in the Vancouver Piano Sessions Concerto Competition, which welcomed pianists from around the world to submit a single movement, chosen from an official repertoire list. She was 1 of 3 competitors in her age category to advance to the finals, where she performed her…