By: Ali Wong

New York, NY — October 10, 2025. The Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall became a beacon of youthful artistry and international collaboration on October 5, 2025, as the 2nd Concert Star International Classical Music Competition Winners’ Award Ceremony brought together exceptional young musicians from around the world. The evening not only celebrated technical mastery but also the unifying power of music that transcends borders and generations.

Over the past ten days, the finalists of the Concert Star International Classical Music Competition have filled New York with unforgettable performances and cultural exchange. The winners’ gala concert at Carnegie Hall marked the culmination of this vibrant artistic journey, featuring outstanding pianists and string players from four age categories, each showcasing a unique voice and remarkable maturity.

The 2025 Concert Star International Classical Music Competition Final Round features finalists performing piano and string works by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Sarasate, and more. The jury includes Hannover University of Music graduates Chi Ho Han, professor at Indiana University, and Concert Pianist Ziyu Liu. Leadership is headed by Founder Dr. Yaqi Wang and Co-Founder Yaqi Jin, joined by Seongwoo Jeong, Dr. Xiaohui Yan, Dr. Yuanyuan Liu, Dr. Mingfu Han, Dr. Miao Ma, Xinyue Gu.

The competition was chaired by Professor Chi Ho Han of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, whose guidance ensured fairness and artistic integrity. “This competition stands out for its commitment to nurturing young talent and celebrating music as a shared language,” said Prof. Han after the event.

Among the distinguished guests was Dr. Jim H. Lee, President of the US-China People’s Friendship Association (New Jersey Chapter), who presented an Outstanding Organization Honor to Concert Star LLC, accepted on behalf of the organization by its founder, Dr. Yaqi Wang. Their presence underscored the competition’s growing role in fostering cross-cultural friendship and global artistic excellence.

The concert opened with charm and promise in Group 1 (Ages 5–11), where the youngest performers, like Yihan Hu, delivered delightful interpretations of Clementi and Tchaikovsky. Their poised performances captivated the audience and set a tone of pure musical joy.

Group 2 (Ages 12–18) demonstrated impressive artistry beyond their years. Followed by Kaitlyn Jeeyul Seo performing the fiery finale of Lalo’s Cello Concerto in D Minor. Pianist Ruoshui Zhang impressed with works by Brahms, Sarasate, and Rachmaninoff, each capturing the nuances of Romantic expressiveness.

In Group 3 (Ages 19–26), the performances reached professional levels. Cellist Bobby Kostadinov dazzled with Dinicu’s Hora Staccato performed with our Piano Faculty Miao Ma, while pianists Dutch Dodge, Yaxuan Gong, and Hanrui Ma brought virtuosic interpretations of Liszt, Brahms, and Beethoven that filled the hall with passion and precision.

The Adult Division (Group 4) added depth and sophistication. The pianists Yihao Zhang, Eunbin Park, Wing Sze Chan, and Xinyi Guo offered poetic contrasts through Chopin, Liszt, and contemporary Chinese works like Jasmine Flower · Love of the Hometown. The recital concluded with Hainan Xu’s heartfelt performance of Schumann/Liszt’s Widmung, a fitting finale to a night celebrating love and artistry.

A highlight of the evening was the Judge Showcase, featuring esteemed jury members Seongwoo Jeong, Dr. Miao Ma, Dr. Mingfu Han, Xinyue Gu, Dr. Yaqi Wang, and Dr. Yuanyuan Liu, who performed works by Schumann, Bach, Naoumoff, and Wang’s own Song of Qinghuai River. Their performances reflected the competition’s emphasis on mentorship and artistic excellence.

Following the concert, a special post-concert talk at Columbia University on October 6th, 7:30pm. Brought together judges and performers to discuss classical music education, artistic identity, and intercultural collaboration in the modern era.

As the applause faded at Carnegie Hall, one thing was sure: the Concert Star International Classical Music Competition had become one of the inspiring platforms for young artists to launch their international careers.

Looking ahead, Concert Star LLC announced plans to expand its global artist development programs in 2026, including the Los Angeles Grammy-nominated Artist Concert Series and a new wave of international youth classical music exchange projects.

From Carnegie Hall to concert halls worldwide, Concert Star continues to shine as a bridge connecting young musicians, educators, and global audiences through the timeless beauty of classical music.