School of Music Students Sweep Awards at 2025 Isangyun Competition

Cellist Lee Yubien, a graduate of the Department of Instrumental Music, won first prize in cello at the 22^nd Isangyun Competition 2025. Incoming 2026 freshman and designated art prodigy Lee Jeri placed second, while current senior Choi A-hyeon from the same department earned fourth prize.

The final round on November 8 featured contestants performing with the Tongyeong Festival Orchestra under conductor Leos Svarovsky. Lee Yubien performed Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1, securing both first prize and the UNESCO City of Music Special Prize. Lee Jeri took second prize and the Seong-Yawng Park Special Prize with her performance of Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in B minor, Op.104, while Choi A-hyeon was named fourth-prize winner.

Launched in 2003 to honor composer Isang Yun (1917-1995), the competition nurtures young musicians and rotates annually among cello, piano, and violin. As the first domestic competition to join the World Federation of International Music Competitions (WFIMC) in 2006, this year’s cello edition attracted 137 entrants from 23 countries and took place from November 1 to November 8 at Tongyeong Concert Hall.

Lee Yubien entered K-Arts in 2018 after completing her studies at the Korea National Institute for Gifted in Arts (KNIGA), and later trained at the Hanns Eisler School of Music Berlin, the Barenboim-Said Academy, and in Freiburg under Professors Lee Kangho, Tsuyoshi Tsutusmi, and Troels Svane. Her previous honors include first prize and a special prize at the 2021 David Popper International Cello Competition.

Lee Jeri studies at KNIGA under Lee Kangho and Lee Jungran and is set to enter the School of Music in 2026 as an art prodigy. She won first prize at the 6th Schoenfeld International String Competition in China earlier this year.

Choi A-hyeon, admitted to the School of Music in 2022 as an art prodigy, studies with Professor Park Sangmin. She previously won first prize at the 51st Joongang Music Concours.

Jury chair Arto Noras praised the competitors, saying, “The prowess of young artists from across the world was impressive.” The winners’ concert was held on November 9 at the Grand Theater of the Gwangju Arts Center.