Meet the Finalists

Young Soloist Competition 2025-2026

Koyuki Blaumer | Senior Division - Cello

Koyuki Blaumer is a sophomore at South Salem High School and has been playing the cello since the age of six. She started learning the cello with Dr. Joseph Harchanko and currently studies with the University of Oregon cello professor, Steven Pologe. Since joining the Salem Youth Symphony (SYS) in 2022, Koyuki had previously won the 2025 SYS Concerto Competition and was featured as a soloist for their 2025 Spring Concert. She was also selected to play as principal cellist for the 2026 OMEA All-State Symphony Orchestra, and principal cellist for the 2025 and 2026 All-City Honors Orchestra. For her freshman year, Koyuki had placed first and second in the Districts and State Solo and Ensemble competition, respectively. Koyuki currently serves as the principal cellist for South Salem High School’s Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Damian Berdakin and John Meyer. Koyuki enjoys volunteering at the Salem Health Hospital as a musician, spending time with her family and friends, and running. As a future profession, Koyuki hopes to pursue a musical career as a professional cellist.

What is your favorite musical memory?

Over the summer of my freshman year I had the opportunity to visit New York City. During my time there I was exposed to numerous aspects of music, especially jazz and classical music. I was truly able to personally see how humans interact with music and create music.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, which composer or piece of music would you bring?

If I were stranded on a deserted island, I would bring pieces by William Grant Still.

Who is your favorite musician?

My favorite musician is Steven Isserlis, for his playing style is exuberant and, thus, each note is filled with care and personality. I thoroughly enjoy listening to his musical interpretations and style.

Where would someone most likely find you on a rainy Sunday afternoon?

I would either be practicing cello or reading.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

The best piece of advice I have ever received was “Carpe Diem”.

Complete the sentence “I wish everyone could…”

I wish everyone would disregard national barriers and unite together to foster a community filled with rejoicing kindness.

Luna Woo | Senior Division - Violin

Luna Woo, 15, is a sophomore at Oregon Episcopal School in Portland, Oregon. She began studying the violin at age six and currently studies with Hae-Jin Kim. She has been a member of the Portland Youth Philharmonic (PYP) Association since 2021 and now serves as Co-Principal Second Violin of the PYP and performs with PYP Camerata.

In recent seasons, Luna has been recognized in numerous competitions. She was awarded 1st Place in the 2025 OMTA Instrumental Scholarship Competition, earning a $500 scholarship, and received an Outstanding Performance Award in the 2025 Amadeus Competition, including a collaboration performance with orchestra. She was also named Honorable Mention in the 2025 Monday Musical Club Competition, Finalist in the 2025 Beaverton Symphony Young Artist Competition, and in the 2025 Niel DePonte Young Artists Competition. In 2026, she was named a Finalist in both the Travis Hatton Competition and the Oregon Mozart Players Competition.

Luna has been selected for major regional ensembles, including the 2025 OMEA All-State High School Orchestra and the 2025 OMEA All-Northwest High School Orchestra.

Beyond music, Luna is a Co-Founder of ThinkHer Lab, a STEM nonprofit supporting girls in science and engineering. She remains active through tennis and recreational boxing.

What is one cool feature you would like to have in your dream house?

I would like to have a spinning shelf door – it looks like a shelf normally, but then when you open it, you can get access to another secret room!

What’s on your bucket list?

For my life bucket list, I would love to:

- visit Antarctica at some point

- go skydiving

- dive into the mariana trench

- explore China's quartz-sandstone pillars in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

It sounds impossible, but it would be my favorite experience!

What is your most used emoji?

🥲: it can be used for any occasion. If you’re sad, then you can use this. If you’re happy, you can still use it because it is still smiling. If you’re angry, you can use this to express anger without really getting 😡!

If you could switch places with anyone for a day, who would it be?

People would answer this with celebrity names, but I would probably switch places with one of my friends. This would allow me to better understand their situation and connect with them, rather than trying to understand them from the outside.

Emily Shih | Junior Division - Violin

Emily Shih is a fourth‑grade student at the Montessori School of Beaverton. She began her violin studies at age five with her teacher, Andrea Hawkins. Emily is a member of the Portland Youth String Ensemble—part of the Portland Youth Philharmonic organization—where she currently serves as co‑concertmaster. She also performs in a chamber music group and enjoys collaborating with other young musicians. Emily’s recent accomplishments include participating in the 2025 Oregon ASTA Showcase (Honor Recital) and receiving an Outstanding Award at the 2025 OMTA Concerto Festival. Beyond the violin, Emily is an avid reader who usually has a book she is excited to discuss. She also takes Jazz and Contemporary dance classes and performs in local recitals. In her free time, Emily practices digital painting, creating original artwork inspired by her imagination, and enjoys following professional figure skating competitions. Emily is honored to participate in the Oregon Mozart Players Young Soloist Competition and looks forward to continuing her growth as a musician.

If you could switch places with anyone for a day, who would it be?

Mom

What is your favorite musical memory?

When I went to María Dueñas’ concert in Eisenstadt, Austria and took a picture with her.

Where is the most beautiful place you’ve ever been?

Iceland

What is one cool feature you would like to have in your dream house?

Indoor Olympic size swimming pool

What is your least favorite school subject?

None, I love all of them.

Erin Qiu | Junior Division - Violin

Erin Qiu is a 13-year-old violinist and a student of Hae-Jin Kim. She is a member of the Portland Youth Philharmonic. Erin attended the Portland String Ensemble summer camp for three years and performed in the 2025 American String Teachers Association showcase recital. She also participated in the 2025 Oregon Music Teachers Association Ribbon and Romantic Festivals. In 2025, Erin earned honorable mention in both the Music Teachers National Association Student Competition and the Bellevue Concerto Competition. She has also participated in a masterclass with renowned violinist Philippe Quint.

What is your most used emoji?

My most used emoji is probably the crying emoji.

What is your least favorite school subject?

Math, because it stresses me out and makes me mad.

What is one thing we would never guess about you?

I use British spelling for some words!

If you could only eat one dessert for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Chocolate ice cream cake. I would never get sick of it.

What is your spirit animal?

I took a quiz, and my result was the Cat.

What is one thing we would never guess about you?

My personality type is ESTP, and I’m 91% extroverted!

Emma Jang | Junior Division - Cello

Emma Jang is a dedicated young cellist currently attending Roosevelt Middle School in Eugene, Oregon. Music is at the center of her life, and the cello is her greatest passion. Currently she studies with Victoria Wolff and John Marshall.

Emma has earned notable recognition for her musicality, including an Honorable Mention at the 2023 Bellevue Symphony Concerto Competition. In the summer of 2025, she served as Principal Cello in the Advanced Intermediate Division at Interlochen in Michigan.

Her major performance experiences include the Interlochen Intermediate Concerto Finals Recital and a featured solo recital at Rencontres Musicales Internationales des Graves in Bordeaux, France. In addition to solo and orchestral work, Emma values chamber music and the collaborative spirit it fosters. She embraces every opportunity to learn from distinguished teachers and mentors, continually refining her technique and broadening her musical perspective.

Emma continues to pursue advanced musical training with dedication and enthusiasm.

If you could only eat one dessert for the rest of your life, what would it be?

ICE CREAM

What is your spirit animal?

Dragon

If you were stranded on a deserted island, which composer of piece of music would you bring?

Schumann