SOUND ESPRESSIVO Competitions 2023-24 SEC CREATES BROAD AND UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES for PERFORMERS and TEACHERS Our Competitions offer Awards and Experiences suitable for all Ages and Levels, from young students to seasoned professionals PERFORM FROM ANY LOCATION BROADCAST ON EVERY MAJOR VIDEO PLATFORM Expand your SKILLS, Reach your AUDIENCE, Boost your CAREER Join one-of-a-kind music events that reinvent concert stage! Apply Regulations DEADLINE May 15, 2024 at 4:59:00 PM Read More Learn More and Apply DEADLINE March 2, 2024 at 4:59:00 AM Read More Learn More and Apply DEADLINE May 16, 2024 at 3:59:00 AM Read More Learn More and Apply DEADLINE May 16, 2024 at 3:59:00 AM Read More Learn More and Apply DEADLINE May 16, 2024 at 3:59:00 AM Read More Learn More and Apply

< Back Previous Alessandra Cuffaro Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall June 28, 2026 WATCH VIDEO “Extremely tenacious, she plays with great care for sound and possesses an elegant finishing touch and musical phrasing. To this, we must add her strong communicative power and the formidable technique required to perform the 24 Capricci.” — A. Cantù, music critic, journalist, and writer “In her hands, the violin is transformed, becoming a creature pulsating with life.” — G. Salvatori, music critic and journalist, RAI Tg2 Cultura e Società “An inimitable performer of Paganini… shaping the music with a pure expression that gushes from the soul and captivates the listener.” — “Le Arti” Prize, P. Amatiello, Rome, Sala della Protomoteca del Campidoglio “A sublime interpreter of my music… and also of the music of others!” — Franco Mannino “Alessandra Cuffaro is one of the most complete and ingenious musicians of the Third Millennium.” — N. Mula, art critic and journalist Ms. Cuffaro is the first woman in the history of Italian violinists to perform Nicolò Paganini’s most difficult virtuoso works, the 24 Capricci Op. 1, in a single concert. Recently, she was celebrated among the most important Italian Americans of the present generation and received the Cultural Award from the ILICA Foundation in New York City for her Paganini performances. The award citation reads: “For promoting the most authentic Italian culture around the world: Unique like Paganini.” She has performed all 24 Capricci approximately twenty-three times around the world. Ms. Cuffaro graduated in only six years, instead of the customary twelve, from the Corelli Conservatory in Italy under the guidance of Luigi Fusconi, a student of Arrigo Pelliccia. She continued her studies at the Accademia Chigiana in Siena and in Rome with Riccardo Brengola, winner of the Premio Paganini. A life-changing encounter followed with the renowned violinist Serguey Girshenko, professor at the Moscow Conservatory and concertmaster of the Bolshoi Theatre, and a pupil of David Oistrakh. In Rome, she also studied with and became assistant to Serguej Diachenko, of the school of Yuri Yankelevich and Herbert von Karajan, and collaborated with musicians including Bruno Canino, Teresa Procaccini, Konstantin Bogino, Anatole Lieberman, Francesco Ivan Ciampa, Emanuele Andrizzi, and Stephen Goss. While in Rome, she earned her second degree in Chamber Music from the Santa Cecilia Conservatory. Later, in the United States, she completed an Artist Diploma at the University of Denver under Linda Wang in only nine months, performing Paganini’s 24 Capricci at her graduation recital. Ms. Cuffaro has won numerous first prizes in national and international competitions. Her more than seven hundred performances as a soloist with orchestra, solo violinist, and chamber musician have been reviewed by American, European, and Eastern European newspapers, radio, and television networks, including RAI and CBS News. She has also taught numerous master classes throughout Europe and the United States. Ms. Cuffaro served as professor of violin at the Conservatory in Cagliari, Italy, before resigning to follow her husband to the United States. She frequently performs alongside her husband, musicologist, pianist, composer, and conductor Simeone Tartaglione. Ms. Cuffaro is currently Professor of Violin at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, and regularly collaborates with youth orchestras and institutions including MCYO at Strathmore in Bethesda, the SJC String Ensemble, and the Levine School of Music in Washington, DC. In May 2019, Ms. Cuffaro was honored during The Catholic University Honorary Gala, Women of CUA, for her hard work, dedication, and unwavering support of her students and the University. She was recognized for her extraordinary achievements and worldwide acclaim for mastering some of the most technically demanding violin repertoire ever written. “Her strong will and love for the violin inspire all who aspire to achieve what many consider impossible. Professor Cuffaro’s inspirational personality shines through her devoted students.” Among critics, we read: “She becomes one with her violin.” “Her extraordinary strength captivates audiences as she performs.” “Her playing touches the heart.” “She plays like a goddess.” “Her fingers are gold, and her heart is that of a tiger.” “Her unique interpretation moves and heals the soul.” “Virtuoso Alessandra Cuffaro enchants audiences through her Magic Violin.” Ms. Cuffaro performs on a magnificent 1914 Vincenzo Sannino violin known as The Magic Violin.

< Back Previous Ralitsa Tcholakova Next Violinist Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall November 26, 2024 WATCH VIDEO Ralitsa Tcholakova is an internationally recognized, award-winning Canadian violinist and violist known for her rich tone, expressive depth, and commitment to contemporary and underrepresented voices in classical music. She holds a Master’s Degree from the State Academy of Music in Bulgaria and a Diploma from the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Vienna, studying in the class of Prof. Michael Frischenschlager. During her studies, she was a recipient of a prestigious scholarship from the Austrian Ministry of Culture. Tcholakova has performed as a soloist, chamber musician, and festival artist in more than 25 countries, and has appeared with orchestras across Europe and North America. She has been recognized for her artistic contributions through nominations for both the Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts (2018) and the Governor General’s Persons Case Award (2017). Her discography includes several acclaimed recordings. Ballad of the North—featuring works by Canadian women composers—was distributed by SOCAN to 135 radio stations worldwide. Remembered Voices, released on the Carleton Sound label in collaboration with Dr. Elaine Keillor (Order of Canada), was praised by The Whole Note as “an excellent CD.” Her album Aboriginal Inspirations, featuring multiple GRAMMY Award-winner Ron Korb, is promoted globally by the Canadian Music Centre and NAXOS. Tcholakova has performed annual recital programs at the Parliament of Canada since 2015, and in 2021 was featured at the National Prayer Breakfast, held under the joint authority of the Speakers of the Senate and House of Commons. She premiered the solo viola work Prayer for Peace, commissioned for her from composer Evelyn Stroobach, at the Laureate Gala at Weill Carnegie Hall in 2022. Most recently, in November 2023, she returned to Weill Carnegie Hall as a violin soloist with the New York Chamber Players.

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< Back Previous Joshua Gwon Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall November 25, 2025 WATCH VIDEO Joshua Gwon is an accomplished 11th-grade violinist at Woodson High School in Fairfax, Virginia. He began studying the violin at age five in Belgium under Isabelle Deschamps of the Belgium National Orchestra, continued his studies in South Korea with Joycelyn Tye, and later trained in Oklahoma with Dr. Marat Gabdullin, Assistant Concertmaster of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. Currently based in the Washington, D.C. area, Joshua studies with renowned pedagogue Olga Khroulevitch. He has earned first-place honors in numerous prestigious competitions, including the Great Composers Concerto Competition, American Fine Arts Festival (performing at Carnegie Hall), American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra Concerto Competition, Fairfax Arts Coalition for Education Solo Competition, YMIC Metropolitan Music Festival, NVMTA Concerto Competition, and NVMTA Achievement Competition. He also received Honorable Mention at the Army Orchestra Young Artist Competition and performed with the Army Orchestra in 2024 and 2025. Joshua has held the position of Concertmaster for his school and youth orchestras and participated in distinguished ensembles such as the Senior Regional Orchestra and Virginia State Orchestra. He further honed his leadership skills as Concertmaster during Peabody Institute Summer Chamber Week. Committed to giving back, Joshua volunteers performances at senior living facilities. Outside of music, he enjoys soccer and staying active.

Szabó < Back Lilla Nóra Szabó Jan 29 at 10:00am EST (26+) Cello Concerto No.1, Op.33 (Saint-Saëns, Camille), 3rd Movement: Molto allegro Lilla Nóra SZABÓ was born into a family of culture and classical music lovers in Hungary in 2003. In 2012 she began her cello studies as a student of the cellist teacher Gabriella Dikáczné Kanfi at the Kispest School of Art in Budapest. In addition, she receive regular coaching from cellist professor Ádám Jávorkai until today. Since 2018 she was taught by the great hungarian cellist prof. Péter Szabó at the Leó Weiner Catholic School and High School of Music in Budapest. Lilla Nóra Szabó has attended masterclasses hosted by prof. Claudio Bohórquez, prof. Xenia Jankovic, prof. Sandro Meo, prof. Peter Bruns and prof. Adrian Brendel, at VI. Virtuoso & Belcanto Festival in Lucca (2021), and prof. Peter Askim at the 3rd Waltham Forest Cello Fest (2021), prof. Ildikó Szabó and Péter Szabó at Cellissimo Academy Budapest (2019, 2020) and Prof. Reinhard Latzko, Ádám Jávorkai and Mr. Zoltán Onczay at Gutensteiner Meisterklassen, Austria (2018, 2019). Lilla Nóra Szabó is the winner of several international music competitions in 2021, including the absolute 1st prize of the „International Competition for Young Musicians Citta di PENNE”and „15th Concorso Internazionale per Giovani Musicale DIAPASON” in Italy, further 1st prizes of the “Prima Volta International Music Competition (PVIMC)” and „San Francisco International Innovative Music Competition 2021 (SFIIMC) – Saeson Sommer and Spring" also "KPIMC Competition King's Peak International Music Competition" in the USA, the "London Young Musician Online Seasonal Music Competition & Award 2021-2022 – Season 1 and Season 2" and the "London Young Musician Online Seasonal Music Competition & Award 2020-2021 – Season 3 and Season 4" in the UK. Lilla Nóra Szabó performed with Prof. Johannes Moser and Ádám Jávorkai in a Trio and in the cello orchestra of the course at the final concert of the Gutensteiner Master Classes in Austria (2021), as well as with the Budapest String Orchestra and the Leo Weiner Orchestra you will enjoy an active and multifaceted presence on stage. As sensitive and creative soloist and enthusiastic chamber musician she makes it her goal to build bridges between each work and the audience, enabling the listener to completely engage with the music. Previous Next

< Back Previous Amy Fetherolf Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall April 28, 2026 WATCH VIDEO Amy Fetherolf is a professional violinist who has performed as a soloist with world-renowned orchestras, including the Cleveland Orchestra, the North Carolina Symphony, Apollo’s Fire, and many others. A reviewer attending Ms. Fetherolf’s performances of Sibelius's Violin Concerto with the North Carolina Symphony under the baton of Carolyn Kuan called Fetherolf’s performance “easily the highlight” of the concert. “As I sat spellbound listening to Fetherolf playing the Sibelius concerto, it became for that interval my very most favorite. Fetherolf’s playing was truly outstanding … Fetherolf showed off her thrilling virtuosity with incredible trills and rapid, stylish bow work.” “On a scale of one to 10, it rated a 10-plus,” another reviewer wrote of a concert featuring Ms. Fetherolf’s Sarasate Carmen Fantasy. “Solo guest violinist Amy Fetherolf brought forth more varied sounds from her instrument than I’d ever heard from a violin.” Fetherolf performs on a violin made in 1920 by Italian violin maker Stefano Scarampella of Brescia.

Ma < Back ZhaoJun Ma Jan 30 at 8:00pm EST (15-18 / 19-25) Allemande and Courante from Bach Cello Suite no. 1 in G Major ZhaoJun Ma is a junior double bass student in the music school at the Nanjing University of the Arts in Nanjing, China. With a passion for both contemporary and traditional forms of music, he aspires to be a professional musician and teacher. Previous Next

< Back Previous Amber "Deni" Harling Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall November 24, 2024 WATCH VIDEO Amber “Deni” Harling is a vocalist, director, and educator from Detroit, Michigan. Beginning her musical journey at age five, she has performed in operas including Die Fledermaus (Rosalinde von Eisenstein), Amahl and the Night Visitors (The Mother), and Orpheus in the Underworld (Eurydice). She earned bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and Mass Communications in 2014, and a Master’s in Vocal Performance in 2020 from the University of West Georgia. Deni serves as Youth Chorus Director at the Carrollton Center for the Arts (CCA) and teaches privately at CCA and Pippin Music Academy. She made her theater directorial debut in 2020 with 101 Dalmatians Kids and has since directed The Adventures of Doctor Dolittle (2021) and served as Music Director for The Lightning Thief (2023). A member of the Carroll County Community Chorus, Deni leads her ensemble Deni Phoenix and The Fervor. She is affiliated with Sigma Alpha Iota, Tau Beta Sigma, and Alpha Psi Omega. Deni is engaged to Daniel, guitarist of Deni Phoenix and The Fervor.

Learn More < Back Recognition Award iClassical Academy provides Recognition Awards to Winners and Participants of Sound Espressivo Auditions and Competitions "We believe that anyone, at any time, should have access to the wonderfully beautiful world of music Our mission is to provide new generations of musicians, from any part of the world, the possibility to improve their skills and enjoy a wide audience" iClassical Academy is based in Switzerland and works with clients globally. This Award is Sponsored by iClassical Academy iClassical Academy is a leader in high-quality and professional online classical music education. Thousands of music professionals, teachers, students, and amateur musicians continuously work on mastering music. iClassical Academy Catalogue contains of The Masterclasses, where Teachers go through a whole composition step by step, recorded with 5 cameras and HD audio The Courses are mainly dedicated to a single subject or topic; The Collections are lists of Masterclasses grouped by Style, Genre, Composer, or Subject The Musical Jewels, special courses dedicated to Music cardinal points, either milestone compositions or musical subjects. They contain real legacies from the most important music teachers in the world 82 Master Teachers View More Visit iClassical Website Previous Next

Learn More < Back Bach GERS Cello Scholarship Award Two Full Cello Scholarships (each is worth ca. $500) Online Summer Cello Master Classes will be awarded to the best cello finalists of the Sound Espressivo Competitions and Auditions 2023-24. These Scholarships are made possible curtesy and through the generosity of Czech Cellist František Brikcius and the BACH FESTIVAL GERS This Award is Sponsored by Bach Festival GERS Ladies and Gentlemen, dear Music Lovers, dear Friends of the Bach Festival Gers, You are cordially invited to the concerts of the 8th cycle BACH FESTIVAL GERS, which takes place in the department of Gers, Occitanie, France Venues: Château Serillac Mirande Saint-Christaud Bassoues Château Caumont- August 17) Other musical activities take place online ( FETE DE LA MUSIQUE - BFG SUMMER MUSIC COURSE View More Visit GERS website Previous Next

< Back Previous Ahmed Karam Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall July 1, 2024 WATCH VIDEO Ahmed Karam is a New York–based composer, conductor, and guitarist whose work boldly bridges the worlds of folk traditions and contemporary music. Having created and performed within a wide spectrum of local ensembles, Ahmed has written for everything from electronic dance music to rock bands to singer-songwriters, shaping a voice that is both versatile and deeply personal. Most recently, he composed the score for the short film I Love Anna, directed by Alyssa Mullings, which premiered in October 2021 at the REEL Recovery Film Festival and Symposium, with screenings at Los Angeles’s Laemmle NoHo and New York’s Village East Cinema. Ahmed will soon begin his master’s degree at the Peabody Conservatory, studying with Oscar Bettison on a full scholarship. He previously studied composition at The Juilliard School, earning a Certificate in Composition from the Evening Division, and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Saint Peter’s University. His musical development has been enriched through studies at the Mostly Modern Festival, EAMA, HighScore, and LAFCI—along with what he jokingly (but fondly!) calls the ultimate education: his years working as a bartender in New York City’s nightlife.