Three Finalists 2

A twelve-year-old violinist from California has become one of the youngest prize winners at the Jefferson Symphony International Young Artists Competition in the contest's history.

Robert Chien, who was awarded the second prize, performed Pablo de Sarasate's Carmen Fantasy, op.25 in the finals of the competition, held in Colorado, US. He studies with Li Lin of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

First prize went to violist Danny Lai from Colorado, who performed Bartók's Viola Concerto in the final round. Lai, 23, received $7,000 and a performance opportunity with the Jefferson Symphony on 23 March, for which he will perform his final-round concerto choice. His former teachers include Roland Vamos of Northwestern University and Basil Vendryes of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra.

Cellist Emma Bobbs Hoeft, 22, came third following her performance of Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations. Hoeft is a first-prize laureate of the 'Viva Vivaldi' Young Artist International Concerto Competition and is a substitute cellist for the Houston and Kansas City Symphonies.

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