Ein Na wins Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s prestigious Young Instrumentalist Prize 2023

Fourteen-year-old violinist Ein Na from Somerville House in Brisbane has won Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s prestigious 2023 Young Instrumentalist Prize. This isn’t her first major prize, and it won’t be her last!

Out of 39 incredibly talented young musicians who auditioned for the prize, seven finalists were chosen, with Ein triumphant, performing Camille Saint-Saëns, Introduction and Rondo capriccioso Op.28., in what was a wonderful reflection of the musical talent emerging in Queensland.

Ein is currently studying violin with Spiros Rantos. She started violin at seven years old, and when she was 10, she competed in the Brisbane International Youth Music Festival, taking the ‘Special Achievement Award’ which gave her the opportunity to perform in Carnegie Hall! In 2019, that same year, she performed as a soloist in concerts throughout Europe.

In 2021, she received her LMusA diploma with Distinction and came third as the youngest competitor in QSO’s Young Instrumentalist Prize. During that year, she received the Pamela Dowsett Memorial Bursary from Dr Robin Wilson and participated in a masterclass with him. She also received first place in the Diploma section of the AUSTAQ Concerto Competition.

She is the first violinist of The Incredibows, a string quartet, that performed in the finals of Strike A Chord, Musica Viva in 2022. In addition, she ended the 2022 AMEB Awards Night with her performance and played in the semi-finals of the Kendall National Violin Competition. Furthermore, she received first prize in the 47th John Curro National Youth Concerto Competition as the youngest competitor.

This is the 24th iteration of the Young Instrumentalist Prize. It is an important event in the Queensland Symphony Orchestra calendar, as it provides opportunities for young instrumentalists to hone their talent and provides a platform for those excelling in their practice. Each finalist receives a cash prize and mentoring opportunities, and the winner will work with QSO in 2023.

Winner: Ein Na, age 14, violin, Somerville House, Camille Saint-Saëns, Introduction and Rondo capriccioso Op.28

2nd Prize: Sophia Jones, age 17, violin, Brisbane State High School, Carl Nielsen, Violin Concerto Op.33, Preludium and Cadenza

3rd Prize: Junee Kim, age 15, violin, Anglican Church Grammar School, Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Violin Concerto in D Major, Mvt 3

4^th Prize: (SeEun) Flora Yang, age 16, cello, St Hilda’s School, Dmitri Shostakovich, Cello Concerto No. 1 in Eb Major Op. 107, Mvt.1

5th Prize: Dylan You, age 16, clarinet, Canterbury College, Carl Maria von Weber, Clarinet Concerto No.2 Op.74, Mvt 1

6th Prize: Lily Song, age 15, violin, Brisbane State High School, Henri Wieniawski, Violin Concerto No.2 in D Minor Op.22, Mvt.1

7th Prize: Haydn Li, age 15, viola, Canterbury College, York Bowen, Viola Concerto in C Minor Op.25, Mvt.3

The Young Instrumentalist Prize is proudly supported by Brisbane Airport Corporation, CP Morris, and Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Societies (ADFAS), Brisbane.