Alums George Li and Benjamin Beilman Win First Prize at the Young Concert Artists International Auditions!
Very exciting news just in – over the weekend alums George Li (Show 144, age 15, piano) and Benjamin Beilman (age 20, violin) both won first prize at the Young Concert Artists (YCA) International Auditions in New York! This is an incredible accomplishment and we are very proud of George and Benjamin.
George and host Christopher O’Riley on From the Top at Carnegie Hall
This year the YCA International Auditions started with 278 young artists from 21 countries, aged from 16 to 28. After the first round 40 artists were selected for semi-final audition from November 2nd to 4th. Twelve artists (4 pianists) were then selected for the final audition on November 6.
Even though George is only 15, he won the first prize and 5 special prizes after the final round of performances on Saturday, November 6!
As winners, George and Benjamin will become members of Young Concert Artists, Inc., which provides management services, including the booking of concert engagements throughout the United States, publicity, promotional materials and career guidance for three or more years at no cost to the artists. They will also be presented in recitals as part of the Young Concert Artists Series in New York; in Washington, D.C. at the Kennedy Center; and at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston.
George participated in these auditions as a representative of Walnut Hill School and New England Conservatory Preparative School. He appeared on From the Top with Christopher O’Riley in Boston, Massachusetts when he was 10 years old, and on From the Top at Carnegie Hall, Season 1 at age 11.
Benjamin appeared on From the Top in Rockport, Maine with the Bay Chamber Trio at age 13. He’s currently studying at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.
Among the other 9 finalists in this competition were baritone John Brancy (From the Top Show 162 in Bethesda, Maryland and Show 204 in Granville, Ohio) and violinist Joel Link (From the Top Show 089 in Boston, Massachusetts). They were both awarded second prize.
Previous From the Top alums who have won prizes in the YCA International Auditions include Caroline Goulding, Charlie Albright, Bella Hristova, and even our host Christopher O’Riley!
