Thomas & Evon Cooper International Competition
The Thomas & Evon Cooper International Competition, also known as the Cooper International Competition, is a renowned annual event held at Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio.
It stands as one of the most prestigious competitions globally for young pianists and violinists.
The Cooper International Competition owes its existence to the generous support of Thomas Cooper, an Oberlin College graduate from the class of 1978, and his wife, the accomplished pianist Evon Cooper.
Their philanthropic contributions, in collaboration with the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the esteemed Cleveland Orchestra, have been instrumental in establishing and maintaining this prestigious competition.
This international competition provides a prestigious platform for exceptional young musicians (aged 13–18) to showcase their talents on an international scale.
Founded in 2010, the competition initially focused on pianists, followed by violinists in 2011. It now alternates between piano and violin every other year.
The inaugural piano competition saw George Li take home the coveted first prize. Sirena Huang, on the other hand, achieved a remarkable feat by winning the first violin competition.
The competition culminates in a thrilling finale. The top three finalists get the chance to perform a complete concerto with the esteemed Cleveland Orchestra on a grand stage to showcase their mastery and artistry.
A Brief History of the Competition
The origins of the competition can be traced back to the Oberlin International Festival, which was first organized by Emeritus Professor Joseph Schwartz in 1985.
In 1995, Professor Robert Shannon took over as director, marking the inception of the annual Oberlin International Piano Competition.
The inaugural competition took place in the same year. Notably, in 1999, Yeol Eum Son emerged as the winner, claiming the coveted 1st prize.
Over the years, the competition evolved and provided winners with exceptional opportunities to perform alongside esteemed orchestras in China, including the Shanghai Philharmonic.
However, in 2009, the competition underwent a temporary hiatus due to renovations taking place in the concert hall.
In 2010, the competition underwent a significant transformation and was renamed the Thomas and Evon Cooper International Piano Competition, in honor of its sponsors.
Since then, the final rounds of the competition have been held in collaboration with the renowned Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall.
In 2016, the competition made a significant enhancement by doubling its prize money, with the first prize amounting to $20,000.
This change aimed to further elevate the competition’s prestige and attract exceptional talent from around the world.
The Prize
The competition offers significant financial rewards to its winners. Starting with over $25,000, the prize money was further increased in 2016 to a total of $40,000, with a prestigious $20,000 awarded to the first-place winner.
While the prestigious first prize goes to the top performer in each instrument category (piano or violin), the competition recognizes outstanding achievements throughout the ranks.
Second- and third-place winners receive cash prizes of $10,000 and $5,000, respectively.
Even beyond the top three spots, the competition acknowledges commendable performances. Finalists placing fourth, fifth, and sixth each receive a $1,500 cash prize.
Adding another layer of excitement, all finalists are eligible to compete for the audience prize of $500. This award fosters audience engagement and recognition.
It becomes an extra incentive for finalists to truly captivate the listeners and connect with them through their performances.
But the rewards extend beyond the immediate cash awards.
All three finalists are eligible to apply for a life-changing opportunity—a full-tuition, four-year scholarship to the renowned Oberlin Conservatory of Music.
This esteemed scholarship serves as a powerful incentive for young musicians, fueling their artistic growth and propelling them further in their musical journeys.
Prize Winners (2010–2023)
Here are the winners of the Thomas & Evon Cooper International Competition from 2010 to 2019, including all prize positions:
2010 Cooper International Competition Winners (Piano):
- 1st prize: George Li (United States)
- 2nd prize: John Chen (United States)
- 3rd prize: Kate Liu (United States)
- 4th prize: Sahun Hong (United States)
- 5th prize: Anna Han (United States)
- 6th prize: Tristan Teo (Canada)
2011 Cooper International Competition Winners (Violin):
- 1st prize: Sirena Huang (United States)
- 2nd prize: Alexandra Switala (United States)
- 3rd prize: Laura Park (United States)
- 4th prize: Mayumi Kanagawa (Japan)
- 5th prize: Gergana Haralampieva (Bulgaria)
- 6th prize: Kelly Talim (Japan)
2012 Cooper International Competition Winners (Piano):
- 1st prize: Leonardo Colafelice (Italy)
- 2nd prize: Xiaoyu Liu (Canada)
- 3rd prize: Micah McLaurin (United States)
- 3rd prize: Sahun Hong (United States)
- 5th prize: Not awarded
- 6th prize: Annie Zhou (Canada)
2013 Cooper International Competition Winners (Violin):
- 1st prize: Ching-Yi Wei (Taiwan) and Kyumin Park (South Korea)
- 2nd prize: Ming Liu (China)
- 3rd prize: Gallia Kastner (United States)
- 4th prize: Not awarded
- 5th prize: Jieming Tang (China)
- 6th prize: Angela Wee (United States)
2014 Cooper International Competition Winners (Piano):
- 1st prize: Tony Yike Yang (Canada)
- 2nd prize: Zitong Wang (China)
- 3rd prize: SaeYoon Chon (South Korea)
- 4th prize: Gyu Tae Ha (South Korea)
- 5th prize: Evren Ozel (United States)
- 6th prize: Min Jun Lee (South Korea)
2015 Cooper International Competition Winners (Violin):
- 1st prize: Gallia Kastner (United States)
- 2nd prize: Belle Ting (Taiwan)
- 3rd prize: Joshua Brown (United States)
- 4th prize: Not awarded
- 5th prize: Karisa Chiu (United States)
- 6th prize: Alice Lee (Canada)
2016 Cooper International Competition Winners (Piano):
- 1st prize: Ryota Yamazaki (Japan)
- 2nd prize: Evren Ozel (United States)
- 3rd prize: Nathan H. Lee (United States)
- 4th prize: Chaewon Kim (South Korea)
- 5th prize: Andrew Li (United States)
- 6th prize: Clayton Stephenson (United States)
2017 Cooper International Competition Winners (Violin):
- 1st prize: Johan Dalene (Sweden)
- 2nd prize: Christina Jihee Nam (United States)
- 3rd prize: Qing Yu Chen (United States)
- 4th prize: Not awarded
- 5th prize: Zachary Brandon (United States)
- 6th prize: Maya Anjali Buchanan (United States)
2018 Cooper International Competition Winners (Piano):
- 1st prize: Tony Siqi Yun (Canada)
- 2nd prize: Kai-Min Chang (Taiwan)
- 3rd prize: Yunchan Lim (South Korea)
- 4th prize: Ryan Zhu (Canada)
- 5th prize: William Chen (United States)
- 6th prize: William Yang (United States)
2019 Cooper International Competition Winners (Violin):
- 1st prize: Eric Charles Chen (United States)
- 2nd prize: Shihan Wang (China)
- 3rd prize: Isabella Brown (United States)
- 4th prize: Jin Yucheng (China)
- 5th prize: Yiyang Hou (China)
- 6th prize: Enrique Rodrigues (United States/Canada)
2020/2021 (Piano/Violin):
- No Competition
“Greetings from Oberlin! Tonight was to be the opening ceremony for the 11th annual Cooper International Competition for piano. We are sad not to be able to host the remarkable young artists that always thrill our audiences. 16 July 2020”
The Cooper Competitions faced postponement in 2020 and 2021 due to the unprecedented challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic.
2022 Cooper International Competition Winners (Violin):
- 1st prize: Seohyun Kim (South Korea)
- 2nd prize: Sameer Agrawal (United States)
- 3rd prize: Calvin Alexander (United States)
- 4th prize: Audrey Goodner (United States)
- 5th prize: Bianca Ciubancan (United States)
- 6th prize: Kento Hong (United States)
2023 Cooper International Competition Winners (Piano):
- 1st prize: Sophia Shuya Liu (Canada)
- 1st prize: Pyotr Akulov (Russia)
- 3rd prize: Taige Wang (United States)
- 4th prize: Yanyan Bao (China)
- 5th prize: Andrew Sijie Li (Canada and Hong Kong)
- 6th prize: Seoeun Lee (South Korea)
These talented individuals have showcased exceptional skill and artistry in their respective fields, contributing to the rich tapestry of classical music.
Final Note
The Thomas & Evon Cooper International Competition is a prestigious event in the world of classical music.
It is dedicated to developing and showcasing the talents of the next generation of musical prodigies.
The competition not only recognizes achievement but also inspires future generations of musicians.
Thanks to the unwavering support of Thomas and Evon Cooper, the competition continues to thrive, leaving an indelible mark on the musical landscape and shaping the careers of countless talented musicians.
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