2025 YAIPC Grand Prize Winners

Mia Hong
Grand Prize, String Division
Born in New York City, Mia Hong was 10 years old when she started violin studies with Dr Ann Setzer. At age 13 she was accepted into the Juilliard Precollege program. She has performed solo work at Kaufman Hall, and performed chamber and orchestral performance at various venues within Lincoln Center. Mia attended the Meadowmount School of Music during the Summers of 2024 and 2025. Mia is a laureate of several violin Competitions including 1st Prize winner in the Prima Volta Competition 2025, Third place winner International Grande Music competition 2023, and Gold medalist in the Grand Metropolitan Music competition 2023. When not playing the violin she enjoys monochrome drawing having had her work “Gemini” displayed at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich CT as a Finalist in the 2025 Icreate juried High school Art Competition iCreate 2025: Annual Juried Exhibition of High School Talent - The Bruce Museum

Luca Nicolae-Jozwiakowski
Grand Prize, Piano Division
Luca Nicolae-Jozwiakowski is an emerging pianist known for his expressive performances and technical proficiency. A student of piano since six years old, he is now a sophomore at Princeton High School and part of its award-winning orchestra.

Marcus Chong-Wah Wong
Grand Prize, String Division
Marcus was born in New York. He is a thirteen-year-old violinist. Marcus enjoys playing violin. His musical journey started at age four and a half with his violin teacher Ms. Jungwon Yoon. He is currently a student at the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Program Division. Marcus has been selected to earn full scholarships from the Chloe Kiffer Precollege Scholarship and the Kate Bamberger Memorial Violin Scholarship at MSM. He has participated and received awards in local and international competition since 2023. Some of the competitions are the Camerata Artists International Competition Concerto (2023 and 2024), Prima Volta Music Competition (2023), the 16th Edition of the Arthur Grumiaux International Violin Competition Category II 2024 (Brussel, Belgium), the Piccolo Violino Magico International Competition 2024 (San Vito al Tagliamento, Italy), the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Division Symphony Strings Concerto Competition (2024). He has performed concert at the Carnegie Hall as the 1st prize award winner. He also participated in the master class with Shlomo Mintz and Yvonne Lam.

New Jersey Children's Choir
Grand Prize, Ensemble Division
Founded in 2015, New Jersey Children’s Choir performs nationwide.The choir has sung at the UN, Citi Field, White House, and Times Square. In 2025, it celebrates 10 years at Carnegie Hall.
