Justin Kang, piano
Meet Justin
Justin Kang, 14, from Laveen, Arizona, studies piano with Snezana Krstic and cello with Jamie Kellogg. Justin has garnered multiple accolades from both piano and string competitions, including prizes from the MTNA Piano Performance State Competition, the 2022 Charleston International Piano Competition, the 2022 American Music Talent Competition, the 2023 Opus National Music Competition, the 2023 Arizona International Music Competition, the 2023 Steinway/Avanti Future Stars Competition, the Arizona Musicfest Competition, the American String Teachers’ Association’s State Solo Competition, the 2021 Arizona Cello Society’s Solo Competition, and the Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestras’ (PYSO) Annual Young Artist Competition, where Justin was awarded the 2024 Grand Prize. Winning the Young Artist Competition led to Justin’s debut as a soloist, performing the Elgar Cello Concerto with the Phoenix Symphony.
Justin has had the opportunity to perform in piano masterclasses given by esteemed artists such as Sean Chen, Alan Chow, Pavlina Dokovska, Douglas Humphrey, Yuri Kot, and Elisabeth Pridonoff, as well as in a cello masterclass led by Noriko Kishi at the 2022 Arizona Bach Festival. Justin performs as a cellist in the Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestra as well as in his church ensemble. He served as associate principal cellist at the 2024 AMEA High School All-State Festival and principal cellist at the 2023 YOLA National Festival, including for their culminating concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall.
In 2020, Justin co-founded Bridge to Music, a student organization with a mission of connecting music and the community. He also volunteers as a radio host at Heart and Seoul Gospel ministries. During his free time, Justin enjoys composing music, playing volleyball and chess, and actively participating in his school’s yearbook club.
Justin is a recipient of From the Top’s Tim Banker Talent Development Award. This award will make it possible for Justin to attend the Boston University Tanglewood Institute summer program and provide private tuition this coming scholastic year.
