FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hartford Symphony Orchestra Announces Winners of the 48th Young Artists Competition

Hartford, CT (April 2026) — The Hartford Symphony Orchestra (HSO) is pleased to announce the winners of its 48th Young Artists Competition, held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Autorino Hall at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts.

This long-standing competition highlights the extraordinary talent of young musicians from across the region and provides a platform for emerging artists to perform major works from the concerto repertoire before an HSO audience. The competition is a project of HSO’s Learning and Social Impact team, focusing on community engagement efforts designed to support and inspire the next generation of musicians.

2026 Young Artists Competition Winners:

  • First Place: Lina Elwood, piano
  • Second Place: Yaoyao Yuan, oboe
  • Third Place: Edward Neems, piano

Lina Elwood, a sophomore at Hopkins School, has earned top honors in numerous competitions and has performed internationally, including appearances with the Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra.

Yaoyao Yuan, a sophomore at The Hotchkiss School, is an accomplished oboist who has performed twice at Carnegie Hall and studies with leading artists in her field.

Edward Neems, a freshman at Conard High School, is an award-winning pianist who has performed multiple times at Carnegie Hall and is active in both classical and jazz performance.

The competition featured a distinguished group of finalists performing major concerto works, demonstrating a remarkable level of artistry and technical achievement. The first-place winner will be invited to perform as a soloist with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra during an upcoming season, continuing a tradition that has launched many successful musical careers.

The Young Artists Competition is made possible through the generous support of dedicated sponsors and donors who are committed to nurturing young talent and expanding access to high-quality music education.

About the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
The Hartford Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1934, is Connecticut’s premier musical organization and presents more than 100 concerts annually, reaching approximately 95,000 audience members each year through performances and community programs statewide.