Four outstanding finalists perform with a live professional symphony orchestra in a celebration of young musicians from Singapore and across Asia.
The inaugural NLCS (Singapore) Young Musician of the Year 2026 Concerto Finals, held on Sunday, 7 June 2026, brought together some of the region’s most promising young musicians for an unforgettable evening of artistry, dedication, and musical excellence.
The competition, launched this year by the Music Department at North London Collegiate School (Singapore), was created to celebrate and support young musicians not only within the school community but also across Singapore and the wider Asian region. The exceptionally high standard throughout the competition reflected the remarkable depth of emerging musical talent and the commitment of young performers to their craft.
The four concerto finalists each took to the stage accompanied by a live professional symphony orchestra conducted by Fan Ting, performing a complete concerto movement in a full concert setting:
- Mira Yirui Chin (Violin)
Mozart – Violin Concerto No. 3 in G Major, K.216, First Movement - Toby Tan (Piano)
Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37, First Movement - Luther Ong (Piano)
Ravel – Piano Concerto in G Major, M.83, First Movement - Kaden Khew (Viola)
Stamitz – Viola Concerto in D Major, Op. 1, First Movement
Performing with a live orchestra is a rare and invaluable opportunity for young musicians, requiring not only exceptional technical ability but also maturity, collaboration, and artistic confidence. The finalists rose to the occasion magnificently, delivering performances of remarkable poise and musicality.
The finals were adjudicated by an esteemed panel comprising Joshua Tan, internationally acclaimed conductor; George Harliono, award-winning pianist and Silver Medallist at the XVII International Tchaikovsky Competition; and Zhi-Jong Wang, internationally renowned violinist and Associate Professor at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.
Across the Gala Weekend, George Harliono and Zhi-Jong Wang also led masterclasses and mentoring sessions with participants, sharing their expertise and encouraging the next generation of musicians. Both artists gave special performances during the weekend, making the event an inspiring and memorable experience for performers and audience members alike.
The Concerto Finals followed the Young Musician Gala Concert on Saturday, 6 June, which celebrated the medalists from the Junior, Intermediate, and Senior categories. Together, the two concerts showcased the breadth and diversity of young musical talent represented in this year’s competition.
The inaugural NLCS (Singapore) Young Musician of the Year competition was made possible through the generous support of ABRSM, Yamaha Music, Songwork International, and Lion City Studios, whose partnership helped create a meaningful platform for young musicians to perform, learn, and grow.
As the curtains closed on the first edition of the competition, one thing became abundantly clear: the future of classical music is bright. The extraordinary performances, the spirit of collaboration, and the enthusiasm of participants and audiences alike have laid the foundation for what promises to become a significant platform for young musicians in Singapore and beyond.
NLCS (Singapore) looks forward to welcoming even more talented young performers to future editions of the Young Musician of the Year competition and continuing its commitment to nurturing excellence in music and the performing arts.
The inaugural Young Musician of the Year competition is also recognised by the WhichSchoolAdvisor for providing a platform for young performers beyond the NLCS (Singapore) community to showcase their talents. What stands out is a culture where music is not simply an extracurricular activity, but a visible and valued part of the student experience. Read more insights:
