The Department of Music holds a biennial Concerto Competition, which is open to all registered students at the University and to all members of the performance ensembles. The judges of the 2026 competition were very impressed with the high level of artistry in this year's competition, and named two first place winners and two second place winners for this year's Concerto Competition. Three of these winners will be featured on the upcoming Concerto Showcase Concert of Saturday, April 25, 2026, with one first place winner’s performance deferred until the 2026-27 season.
Anthony Yoon, violin - First Place Winner
Anthony Yoon is a third-year undergraduate studying computational and applied mathematics and statistics in the College. Hailing from Rancho Palos Verdes, California, Anthony started to learn the violin at the age of nine. Before college, He was fortunate to study under the direction of Maestro Alexander Treger, Eric Tsai, and William Hagen. He has also participated in many orchestras such as the Palos Verdes Regional Symphony Orchestra, California All State Symphony Orchestra, and the Colburn Chamber Orchestra. Anthony has won awards for his solo violin playing on the local, state, national, and international level. In college, he participates in events held by the music department and the University Symphony Orchestra. Outside of his life in music, Anthony conducts research about mathematical computation under the tutelage of Professor Yuehaw Khoo and is involved in various clubs. In his free time, he likes to play poker and tennis and is an avid fan of baseball and Formula 1.
Anthony Yoon will perform Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 35 with the University Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, April 25 at 8pm.
Isaac Cohen, piano - First Place Winner
Isaac Cohen is a second-year undergraduate majoring in mathematics, statistics, and psychology. Originally from New York City, he began playing the piano at age four, studying under Natela Mchedlishvili. Isaac attended Special Music School before continuing his training at the Kaufman Music Center, the Manhattan School of Music Precollege, and the Cremona International Music Academy. Isaac has performed at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall and was also the winner of the 2022 Kaufman International Concerto Competition. In his free time, Isaac also enjoys running varsity track and conducting research in psychology.
Isaac Cohen will perform Scriabin's Piano Concerto in F-sharp Minor in the 2026-27 season.
Pablo Ramirez-Garcia, clarinet - Second Place Winner
Pablo Ramirez-Garcia is a sophomore in the College studying molecular engineering. Raised in South Brunswick, New Jersey, he started playing piano and learning music theory at the Westminster Conservatory of Music under Teresa Lim. He sang in the American Boychoir for four years and picked up the clarinet in 4th grade. Following a trip to the Music for All National Festival with his middle school Wind Ensemble, Pablo began taking clarinet lessons with Kenneth Ellison in 8th grade. Shortly after, he received the National Gold Award for ranking first in RCM piano examinations. Throughout high school, Pablo was a member of the SBHS Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Pit Orchestra, and was the first-chair clarinet in the All-State Wind Ensemble and Orchestra. The summer before coming to UChicago, Pablo performed with the Young Artists Wind Ensemble at the BU Tanglewood Institute. He now studies clarinet under Zachary Good and piano under Ani Gogova. Apart from performing with the USO, Pablo has been involved in the Piano Performance Program for two years, playing in masterclasses for Llewellyn Sánchez-Werner and Albert Cano Smit. On the rare occasions he is not studying, Pablo is probably playing or watching soccer.
Pablo Ramirez-Garcia will perform Debussy's Premiere Rhapsodie for Clarinet with the University Wind Ensemble on Saturday, April 25 at 8pm.
Julie Sun, flute - Second Place Winner
Julie Sun is a third-year undergraduate studying mathematics. Originally from Great Neck, New York, she began playing the flute at the age of ten. Prior to college, she studied with Joseph Lu then Susan Deaver at the Manhattan School of Music Precollege, where she focused on both flute and piccolo, as well as occasionally the alto flute. Julie has been selected to the NYSSMA All-State ensemble twice and has also performed in the All-Eastern Ensemble. She is a winner of the National YoungArts Merit Award. At the university, she is a member of the University Symphonic Orchestra.
Outside of music and academics, Julie is a member of the University of Chicago’s cross country and track and field teams, where she enjoys training and competing with her teammates.
Julie Sun will perform Chaminade's Concertino with the University Chamber Orchestra on Saturday, April 25 at 8pm.