JUNIOR DIVISION FINALIST
CELLO, 13
David Popper
Hungarian Rhapsody
Ellie Liu, an 8th grader at Stoller Middle School, started playing the cello at age 6 under the guidance of Ms. Hyun-Jin Kim. As a soloist, Ellie has won the Young Star Award at Amadeus Orchestra Solo Competition, and she was a winner at Willamette Falls Concerto Competition in 2023. She was also a finalist at Oregon Mozart Player Young Artist Competition and ASTA Solo Competition in 2022.
Ellie has won numerous awards and honors for her cello performance, including Honorable Mention at the MTNA Junior Division. She is also a winner of OMTA Festivals, Great Composer of the Best Bach Performance, The Grand Metropolitan International Music Competition, and American Protégé competition. Ellie loves playing chamber music and is currently the youngest cellist in Portland Youth Philharmonic. She served as the Assistant Principal of their Young String Ensemble in 2020.
Who is your favorite musician? My favorite musician is Yo-Yo Ma, because of his exceptional skill and technique in playing the cello. I’m inspired by his playing and hope to see him perform live one day.
What is your favorite place to visit? My favorite place to visit is Taiwan. My parents are from Taiwan, and we go every year to see my relatives and family friends. I enjoy visiting Taiwan especially because of the breathtaking scenery, the friendly locals, and the diverse cuisine.
Where would someone most likely find you on a rainy Sunday afternoon? Among my hobbies, reading holds a special place. I also enjoy crocheting, drawing, and painting. However, on a rainy day, you'd likely find me in bed reading a book.
If you could donate a million dollars to any charity, which one would you choose? If I could donate a million dollars to any charity, it would be to Music4Harmony. I’m a member of a student-lead nonprofit organization called Music4Harmony, and our mission is to benefit the lives of children through music. We perform mainly for children at benefit concerts, libraries, hospitals and at nursing homes. We hope to inspire children at a young age through music.
What’s on your bucket list? I’ve always wanted to go to Iceland and see the Northern lights. I’ve heard so much about the stunning light shows and how magical the experience is.