2025 Winners Intermediate List

Donovan loves music and has been playing piano for ten years. He also began learning the violin as a second instrument five years ago.  Donovan has been progressing through his music studies and earned high marks with distinction in piano and violin exams including Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) and Trinity College London.  He also received the RCM National Gold Medal for level 8, as well as Regional Gold Medals for levels 6 and 7 for piano. He was accepted to the 2024 WMEA All-State Philharmonic Strings for violin and 2025 NAfME All-Northwest Orchestra.  He plays as the first violinist in one of the string quartets of The Music Matters Foundation which he performs regularly at charitable and educational communities. He competed in various local and international music competitions for both piano and violin and received top awards. Outside of music, he enjoys various sports including cross-country, badminton, flag football, and ultimate frisbee. He loves to read and compose music in his spare time.

Ellie Chung, sixteen years old, started playing the cello at 11 ½ years old with Sungmee Lee. She has won top awards at competitions such as the Performing Arts Festival of the Eastside, Music International Grand Prix, Korean Music Association, and the Vivaldi International Music Competition as the absolute prize winner of her category. She was also awarded as a finalist alternate and has received gold seals at the Seattle Young Artist Music Festival. Furthermore, as the first prize winner of the American Protégé Competition, she will be playing at Carnegie Hall in New York this June. Ellie has also participated in masterclasses with cellists such as Juilliard professors Natasha Brofsky and Richard Aaron, Sally Singer Tuttle, and Tom Landschoot. Outside of solo playing, she enjoys playing in her studio’s cello quartet and duo, and playing for her local senior homes each season. Outside of music, Ellie also enjoys baking, hiking, and paddleboarding.

Alice has been playing violin since 8 years old and has been a part of multiple orchestras.

My name is Campbell Fenn. I was introduced to the world of making music at the age of four when I began learning the piano. A couple of years later, I also started studying the violin and enjoyed it… until I heard someone playing the cello. When I heard the rich, deep, and full sounds of the cello, I fell in love with the instrument and begged my parents to start taking lessons, even though the world had just shut down due to the pandemic. Despite the fact I was only taking virtual lessons initially I loved the way I was able to express myself freely through music like I never had before. 

I enjoy playing a wide variety of music, including fast and exciting pieces, slow and moving pieces, and everything in between. At 12 years old, I performed my first solo piece in the SCL Festival at the Golden Hall in Vienna, the Palazzo Pitti in Florence, and the Pantheon in Rome. I’ve also won top prizes in several competitions and had the honor of performing at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and Harvard University. This summer, I’m excited to be invited to perform at Disney Concert Hall and in South Korea. 

I actively participate in a few orchestras and ensembles, including ICP, YAOLA, LAYP, and SCSOBA. I also serve as first chair cello in my school orchestra. In addition to performing, I enjoy helping younger students begin their own musical journeys by teaching cello.

Alongside friends from various orchestras, I co-founded the Sempre Dolce Youth Ensemble, a small group dedicated to sharing music with the community. We perform for free at public venues to spread the joy of music to all. Through every note I play, I am working hard to share my love for music with the world.