Pearl Amster Youth Concerto Competition

2013 Amster Winners

Hesoo Cha 14, is a currently a freshman at Westwood High School where she participates in both orchestra and the Chamber Music in Public Schools (CHAMPS) program. This year, Hesoo performed as part of the TMEA All-State Symphony Orchestra, and in the past has won numerous honors and awards, including the Asian-American Community Partnership Challenge Cup  Junior Division and the opportunity to perform at the Long Center. Currently, she studies violin with Ms. Sandy Yamamoto.  Hesoo enjoys playing the piano, going out with friends, eating good food, reading, and playing duets with her brother. Hesoo will perform Symphonie espagnole in D minor, Op. 21 - Allegro non troppo by Edouard Lalo.

Beatrice Hoang, is an 11 year old who started studying piano at the age of five and is currently a student of Dr. Saida Kafarova. In 2011, Beatrice won the Gold medal and Best Prelude award at the 7th International Chopin Youth Competition in Houston. She also twice won the first prize at the San Marcos Young Artist Piano competition and is a frequent winner at the ADMTA Solo Contests. A 5th grade student at Holy Family Catholic School in Austin, Beatrice is on the Math team, competing in regional Math contests. She enjoys art, swimming, and playing with her baby sister.   Beatrice will perform Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor Op. 25 - Molto allegro con fuoco by Felix Mendelssohn.

John Walden, 16, has studied piano for the past 12 years.  He is currently a student of Sophia Gilmson and has studied with Beatrice Long and May Eng. John has taken master classes with Anton Nel, Gregory Allen, and Betty Mallard. In 2009 and 2010, John performed as a featured soloist in Germany and was a featured soloist at the Texas State International Piano Festival in San Marcos last summer.  In 2010, he was a finalist in the Austin Symphony Orchestra Youth Competition.  John has participated in several festivals, winning competitions in 2010 and 2011.  Besides his piano studies,  John is a serious trumpet player and enjoys playing both classical and jazz repertoire.  He recently participated in the 2013 TMEA All-State Jazz Ensemble as 4th-chair trumpet.  As a junior, John is on McCallum High School's ultimate Frisbee team and is an avid sports fan. John will perform Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54 - Allegro affettuoso by Robert Schumann.

Runner up winner Helen Nebeker, 14, began studying piano performance at the age of four and is currently studying under Dr. Timothy Woolsey.  She has received master classes from Boris Slutsky, Spencer Myer, Yana Reznik, Victor Bunin, Philippe Entremont and Alexander Braginsky.  Helen has won over 50 national and international awards and was a first place winner of Bradshaw Buono International Piano Competition in New York and performed in Weil Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.  She has also won prizes in competitions throughout the United States.  Helen was one of the 25 young artists selected to attend the First Texas State International Piano Festival representing 20 cities from around the world.  Helen is currently a freshman at Westlake High School and enjoys reading, writing short stories, traveling, Her dream is to attempt a few extreme sports like skydiving and white water rafting, doodling, and currently trying web design. Helen played Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 37 - Allegro con brio by Lugwig Van Beethoven in the competition.

Past Winners

• Trumpeter Bob Cannon, who won in 1988, is now principal trumpet with the Austin Symphony.
• Violinist Eri Lee Lam, who won in 1990 at the age of 17, is now Violin Professor and Chamber Music Director at Southwestern University in Georgetown.
• Violinist Long Zhou, who won in 1991, is concertmaster of the Symphony of the Hills and has played with the San Antonio Symphony. Long is the father of violinist Nancy Zhou, an Amster winner in 2004 and 2006. Nancy is now studying at the New England Conservatory.
• Pianist Melissa Marse, who won in 1992, received a doctorate from the New England Conservatory and now performs extensively worldwide. Melissa also sings professionally with Conspirare.
• Pianist Angela Alonzo, who won in 1993 and 1994 at the ages of 16 and 17, respectively, was featured on NPR's From the Top series. Angela had her Carnegie Hall debut in January 2002.
• Pianist Chris Guzman, who won in 1995 at the age of 14, received his bachelor's and master's degree  from Juilliard, his artist diploma from the New England Conservatory of Music and is currently working on his DMA at the University of Texas at Austin. Chris also is touring and has performed in Tokyo twice and with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.
• Violinist Carrie Rodriguez, who won in 1995 and 1996, attended Oberlin Conservatory of Music and is a graduate of the Berklee School of Music in Boston. She is currently touring and has a hit CD with Chip Taylor.
• Cellist Daniel McDonough, who won in 1996 at age 16, earned master's degrees from Juilliard and the New England Conservatory. Daniel performs with the award-winning Jupiter String Quartet.
• Pianist Katie Frank, who won in 1999 at the age of 18, was accepted into the finals of the Pinault International Piano Competition in New York. Katie also performed a solo recital at Carnegie Hall.
• Violinist Warren Hood, who won in 2000 at the age of 18, is the son of violinist Champ Hood, who toured with Lyle Lovett. Warren has performed with Charlie Robinson, the Austin Symphony, and the South Austin Jug band. Warren is also a frequent guest artist of musician Tish Hinojosa.
• Oboist Nicholas Stovall, who won in 2001, received a master's from Juilliard and is now principal oboist with the National Symphony.
• Pianist Mary Elizabeth Box, who won in 2003 at the age of 18, received a bachelor of music degree from the Eastman School of Music in 2009.
• Bassoonist T.K. DeWitt, who won in 2003, received a master's from Rice University and now plays with the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra. T.K. is also a regular with the Houston Symphony.
• Pianist Benjamin Laude, who won in 2004, earned a master's from Juilliard and now performs worldwide. Ben also teaches at Juilliard and in his private studio in Manhattan.
• Bassoonist Billy Short, who won in 2004, studied at the Rice University Shepherd School of Music and is now principal bassoonist with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.
• Hornist John Turman, who won in 2008, is studying at the Rice University Shepherd School of Music.
• Pianist Danielle Cordray, who won in 2009, earned a bachelor's in music at the University of North Texas and is now principal harpist with the Dallas Civic Wind Ensemble.