#United States #music #Yamaha #YYPA #Buena Park, California

Yamaha Young Performing Artists (YYPA) Announce 2025 Winners

On March 20, 2025, Yamaha celebrated the incredible accomplishments of young musicians by unveiling the 11 winners of the 2025 Yamaha Young Performing Artists (YYPA) Competition. This prestigious competition shines a light on exceptionally talented individuals studying music within the United States. Categories of music include classical, jazz, and contemporary genres, providing a platform for diverse artistry to flourish.

John Wittmann, the associate vice president of artist relations at Yamaha, enthusiastically remarked, "Each of the 2025 Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition Winners are extraordinarily unique and gifted!" This competition emphasizes the importance of providing opportunities for young talents to showcase their skills. The YYPA winners are now set to perform at the Bands of America Summer Camp in June 2025, a once-in-a-lifetime chance that will create memories they will cherish forever.

The Winning Artists

The selection process was rigorous, with musicians skilled in various instruments including brass, woodwind, strings, percussion, and piano submitting video auditions accompanied by supporting documentation. These submissions were meticulously judged by a panel consisting of Yamaha Artists, music experts, and notable musicians from across the country.

The 2025 YYPA Winners

• - Beneditto Caroccio – Flute – San Francisco Conservatory of Music
• - Ian McEdwards – Clarinet – Oberlin Conservatory of Music
• - Zachary Costello – Saxophone – Eastman School of Music
• - Jonathan Arcangel – Saxophone – University of North Texas
• - Sarah Goldberg – Trombone – The Juilliard School
• - Andrew Kim – Trombone – Michigan State University
• - Kai Gray – Percussion – Eastman School of Music
• - Yukai Yang – Drum Set – Berklee College of Music
• - Gaeun Kim – Cello – The Juilliard School
• - Yanzuo Nicole Liu – Piano – Eastman School of Music
• - Roman Goron – Piano – Shoreline Community College

Honorable Mentions

• - Joshua Jung – Oboe – Vanderbilt University
• - Harrison Kim – Clarinet – Eastman School of Music
• - Shenghao Wang – Bassoon – The Colburn School
• - Nate Spratford – Saxophone – Vanderbilt University
• - Seowon Kwak – Trumpet – Berklee College of Music
• - Glenn Choe – Percussion – Manhattan School of Music
• - Greyson Geisness – Viola – Interlochen Arts Academy
• - Christopher Yao – Piano – Eastman School of Music

A Legacy of Excellence

The YYPA program has played a crucial role in Yamaha's mission to connect with and honor young musicians. Over the years, it has recognized more than 300 gifted musicians, many of whom have progressed to successful careers in performance and education. Notable past winners include Leelanee Sterrett, who now plays horn for the New York Philharmonic; Paul Cornish, a Blue Note artist; and Matthew Ross, who holds the flute position in the National Symphony Orchestra.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

The 2025 YYPA Winners are set to enjoy an all-expense-paid trip to the exhilarating YYPA Celebration Weekend from June 21 to June 24, 2025. This celebration will be held in conjunction with the Bands of America Summer Camp at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. The event will feature a guest performance by Michael Dease, a Yamaha artist and YYPA winner from 2004.

Winners will not only perform for a dedicated audience but will also receive national attention through media coverage. They will have opportunities to participate in workshops aimed at launching their professional music careers, coupled with valuable services offered by Yamaha Artist Relations, including professional recordings and photography of their performances.

In conclusion, the 2025 Yamaha Young Performing Artists competition showcases the extraordinary talent of young musicians, reflecting Yamaha's unwavering commitment to music education and the industry. To discover more about the winners and the YYPA program, visit yamaha.io/YYPA2025.