Close-up of a person playing a wooden cello, focusing on the side and fingerboard.

Young Artist Award Competition (YAC)

Launched in 1993 by Music Director  Emerita Susan Deaver, the NSSO’s Young Artist Competition (YAC) shines a spotlight on Long Island’s finest high school musicians. For over three decades, the YAC has served as a powerful springboard for launching young talent. While many alumni of the YAC have forged illustrious careers as professional conductors, ensemble players, and ensemble founders, others continue to carry their passion for music alongside diverse, successful careers.

This bi-annual competition offers young musicians an exceptional opportunity to sharpen their performance skills, culminating in a rare chance for the winner to solo with a live, full orchestra.

Please return in fall of 2027 for the updated rules and regulations for the Spring 2028 competition. 

Young Artist Award Competition Archive

  • 2026:Ethan Yip, cello

    • Repertoire: Elgar Cello Concerto (1st movement)

      • Ethan Yip began playing cello at age 7, later joining the Manhattan School of Music's Pre-College division under Marion Feldman, where he has received multiple prestigious scholarships. An active chamber musician, he performs with the New York Youth Symphony and has attended elite summer programs at Greenwood, Meadowmount, and Juilliard. His talent has earned him top accolades in numerous competitions, including first prize at the Prima Volta Music International Competition, and he has performed at prominent New York venues including Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, and Merkin Hall.

  • 2024:Sarah Sun, saxophone

    • Repertoire: Debussy Rapsodie for Saxophone and Orchestra

      • Sarah Sun is a classical saxophonist who studied at the Manhattan School of Music Precollege division under Dr. Wonki Lee. She has received numerous top honors, including 1st Prize in the VIVO International Music Competition, the New York Laureate International Music Competition, the International Talented Young Musician Competition, and the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Chamber Music Competition, as well as 2nd Prize in the Island Symphony Orchestra Young Performers Concerto Competition. A Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Finalist, she performed at the 39th Annual Young Musicians Concert and served as principal alto saxophonist with the New York State Band Directors Association (NYSBDA) Honor Band. Her summer studies include saxophone institutes at the Eastman School of Music, the University of Michigan, and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. Sarah has performed at Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, and Alice Tully Hall, and in addition to saxophone, she is an avid creative writer, singer, and pianist.

  • 2024:Mizuki Natsu, piano

    • Repertoire: Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3

      • Mizuki Natsu began his piano studies at the age of 5, developing into a versatile musician who performs widely on both piano and cello. He has performed solos on both instruments at Carnegie Hall and has collaborated with multiple award-winning ensembles through the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s Young Musicians Program. Recognized as a Long Island Scholar Artist, Mizuki has performed with numerous All-County ensembles, served as an alternate cellist for All-State ensembles, and was selected for the prestigious NYSSMA Annual Piano Showcase. His competitive accolades include winning third place at the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College Concerto Competition.

  • 2022:Carolyn Lao, flute

    • Repertoire: Nielsen Flute Concerto

  • 2019:Sarah Ma, violin

  • 2017:

    • 1st Prize: Christian Verfenstein, piano

      • Repertoire: Grieg Piano Concerto in A minor

    • 2nd Prize: Alexandra Woroniecka, violin

      • Repertoire: Wieniawski Violin Concerto No. 2

  • 2015:Crystal Kim, cello

    • Repertoire: Elgar Cello Concerto (3rd movement)

  • 2013:Harrison Li, piano

    • Repertoire: Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor

  • 2011:Elizabeth Oh, piano

    • Repertoire: Chopin Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor

  • 2009:Lukas Bentel, cello

    • Repertoire: Lalo Cello Concerto

  • 2005:Sho Omagari, violin

    • Repertoire: Vieuxtemps Concerto No. 4 in D Minor, Op. 31

  • 2003:Shane Helfner, oboe (oboe d’amore)

    • Repertoire: J.S. Bach Concerto in A minor

  • 2001:

    • 1st Prize:Meena M. Bhasin, violin

      • Repertoire: Mendelssohn Concerto in E minor

      • 2nd Prize:Nan Aomori, flute

        • Repertoire: Mozart Flute Concerto No. 2 in D Major

  • 1999:Dan Bassin, trumpet Repertoire: Haydn Trumpet Concerto

    • Adam Krauthamer, horn

      • Repertoire: Mozart Horn Concert No. 3

    • Dan Pellegrini, violin

      • Repertoire: Saint-Saëns Violin Concert No. 3 in B minor

  • 1995:Xilun Chen, piano

    • Repertoire: Grieg Piano Concerto

  • 1993 (Inaugural Year):Anton Polezhayev, violin

    • Repertoire: Sarasate Carmen Concert Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 25

Young man holding a cello and bow in a music studio
Black and white portrait of a woman with long hair holding a saxophone.
Young man with glasses wearing a black suit and shirt, posing against a blue background.