The 36th Annual Yamaha Young Performing Artists have been Announced

Winners recognized for extraordinary talent and artistry

BUENA PARK, Calif., March 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Yamaha has announced the 11 winners of the 2025 Yamaha Young Performing Artists (YYPA) Competition. The competition is designed to acknowledge and reward exceptional young musicians studying in the United States and excelling in classical, jazz, and contemporary music genres.

"Each of the 2025 Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition Winners are extraordinarily unique and gifted!" said John Wittmann, associate vice president of artist relations. "The real magic happens when they come together and perform their chosen works, including some original pieces for the exuberant audience at the Bands of America Summer Camp in June. The YYPA winners have earned this recognition and will never forget this once-in-a-lifetime musical experience. Yamaha remains committed to music education and we will continue to help guide young music makers into rewarding careers. The YYPA Program is exciting and deeply fulfilling to us."

Musicians skilled in brass, wind, string, percussion, and piano were invited to submit a video audition along with supporting materials. A panel of Yamaha Artists, experts, and national celebrity musicians evaluated each submission to determine this year's distinguished winners.

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

The 2025 YYPA 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

The YYPA program has served as a vital platform for Yamaha to connect with and honor young, talented musicians. This competition has recognized over 300 exceptional musicians, many of whom have gone on to forge successful careers as performers and educators. Notable past winners include Leelanee Sterrett, horn of the New York Philharmonic; Paul Cornish, Blue Note recording Artist and pianist with Joshua Redman; and Matthew Ross, second flute with the National Symphony Orchestra.

The 2025 YYPA winners will receive an all-expense-paid trip to the YYPA Celebration Weekend from June 21 to 24, 2025. This event coincides with the Bands of America Summer Camp, held at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, from June 23 to June 28, 2025. The guest artist for the 2025 YYPA Celebration Weekend will be 2004 YYPA winner and Yamaha artist Michael Dease.

The winners will perform in front of a unique audience, receive national media coverage, and participate in workshops to launch a professional music career. Additionally, the 2025 winners will benefit from services and support offered by Yamaha Artist Relations, including professional audio and video recordings, as well as photography of their live performances. This exceptional experience promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the winners to establish themselves within the music industry.

To learn more about the Yamaha Young Performing Artists Program and the winners, visit yamaha.io/YYPA2025.

Contact:
Diana Moeck
Yamaha Corporation of America
Public Relations
dmoeck@yamaha.com 

ABOUT YAMAHA
Yamaha Corporation of America is the largest subsidiary of Yamaha Corporation, the world-leading music and sound company based in Hamamatsu, Japan. The Yamaha team is committed to helping everyone progress, express and connect through music and sound. We offer innovative, finely crafted, award-winning products for your entire musical journey including pianos, brass instruments, woodwinds, strings, electronic keyboards, guitars, drums, professional and home audio equipment.

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SOURCE Yamaha