Eight Students of the Korea National Institute for the Gifted in Arts Sweep Awards at the Ewha & Kyunghyang Concours

The eight students of the Korea National Institute for the Gifted in Arts (KNIGA) swept awards at the 69^th Ewha & Kyunghyang Concours taken place at the Centennial Hall of Ewha Girls’ High School in last June. Lee Yeon-sol (Seoul Galsan Elementary School, grade 6) won the first prize in junior violin, and Park Esther (Yewon School, grade 9) won the first placement in junior high violin. In cello, Kwon Ji-wu (Uchon Elementary School, grade 6) and Choi Ah-hyeon (homeschooling, 14 years old) won in junior and junior-high categories each. Meanwhile, Chae Tae-wung (Yewon School, grade 9) won second place in junior-high cello. 

Cho Yumin (Sunhwa Arts School, grade 12) is also tied for second place in cello for high school students. Kim Chae-eun (Seoul Apgujeong Elementary School, grade 6) won in junior flute while Lee Sunho (Yewon School, grade 9) won in junior-high clarinet. The Ewha & Kyunghyang Concours is a distinguished competition co-organized by the Ewha Girls’ High School and Kyunghyang Shinmun. 

It is commonly known as the gateway to stepping into the professional world for young talented instrumentalists. Cellist Chung Myung-hwa, violinist Chung Kyung-wha, violinist Kim Namyoon, violinist Lee Sung-ju, and pianist Kim Daejin started their career from this concours as well. Despite the coronavirus pandemic this year, the contest was heated by a total of 833 participants. 61 of 134 finalists won awards in the end.