2026 NAVI
​Top Prize Winners' Gala Concert

Presenting 2026 NAVI Absolute Platinum & Platinum Medalists

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Leone Pini  - Violin  - Youth Category - Italy - 99.4% - Absolute Platinum Medalist 

Austin Tu - Piano - Youth Category - USA -  98.6% - Absolute Platinum Medalist 

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Yichen Sheng - Piano - Professional Category - USA - 98.4% - Absolute Platinum Medalist

Majoros Milos  - Marimba - Youth Category - USA - 98.3 %  - Absolute Platinum Medalist

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Heidi Robichaud - Alto Saxophone -  Collegiate Category - Canada - 98.2% - Absolute Platinum Medalist 

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Eunjin Jung -  Open Category - South Korea - 98% -  Absolute Platinum Medalist

Huizi Chen - Guzheng - Professional Category - China - 98.2%  - Absolute Platinum Medalist

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Anastasia Arango - Harp - Professional Category - USA - 97% - Platinum Medalist

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Esme Tran - Piano - Junior Category - USA - 96.7% - Platinum Medalist

Namhee Kim - Voice (classical)  - Professional  Category -German  - 96% - Platinum Medalist

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Yukito Yoshida and Kiroko Yoshida - Flute & Piano Duo - Youth Category - Japan - 95.6% - Platinum Medalist

Arjan Muka - Oboe - Italy - Professional Category - Italy - 95.2% - Platinum Medalist 

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Gilbert Rosso - Composition - Professional Category - France -  94.8% (Rounded to 95%)- Platinum Medalist

Jillian Lee - Violin  - Youth Category - 94.6% (Rounded to 95%)  - Platinum Medalist 

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Alexander Grygoruk - Voice - Youth Category - Australia.- 94.5% (Rounded to 95%) - Platinum Medalist 

Anna Gu - Cello - Youth Category - USA- 94.5% (Rounded to 95%) - Platinum Medalist

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Presenting 2026 NAVI Top Gold Medalists (with a score of 94% )

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Aditya Biji Krishnan - Keyboard - Youth Category - Saudi Arabia - 94.3% - Top Gold Medalist

Xinying Hu - Violin - Professional Category - China - 94% - Top Gold Medalist

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Aya Terasawa  - Piano  - Junior Category - USA - 93.8%  (Rounded to 94%) - Top Gold Medalist 

Eli Lin - Piano - Junior Category - Canada - 93.6% (Rounded to 94%)  - Top Gold Medalist 

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​2026 Final Round Winners' Photo & Biography Submission
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We warmly invite all final round winners to submit a short biography (under 200 words, written in paragraph form) along with a high-resolution concert portrait. We would be pleased to showcase your success on our "NAVI Hall of Fame" to celebrate your achievements.

Please submit your biography in text format (as a Word document, .doc) by emailing it to [email protected]. Kindly note that we do not accept biographies embedded in images or PDF files.

We look forward to highlighting your accomplishments and sharing them with our global community.

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Photo and Biography Feature of
​2026 NAVI Winners - More coming soon! 

Proudly presenting 2026 NAVI Winners

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​Austin Tu - Piano - Youth Category - USA - Absolute Platinum Medalist

Austin Tu is 14 years old and will be entering 9th grade at High School this fall. He began taking piano lessons at the age of seven and is currently studying under the guidance of Ory Shihor.

Austin was named 2nd Alternate in the 2026 MTAC (Music Teachers’ Association of California) Solo Competition, Northern California Region, and placed 3rd in the 2025 CAPMT (California Association of Professional Music Teachers) Honors Competition State Finals. Over the years, he has also received recognition in various MTAC and CAPMT competitions, as well as the Junior Bach Festival.

In his spare time, Austin enjoys playing basketball, swimming, and chess.

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Arjan Muka - Oboe - Professional Category - Italy - Platinum Medalist 

Arjan Muka stands as a distinguished Albanian oboist whose artistic path, shaped over nearly four decades, reflects unwavering dedication, profound musical sensitivity, and an enduring pursuit of excellence. Based in Italy, he has cultivated a refined and luminous sound, celebrated for its purity, expressive warmth, and poetic phrasing. His artistry embodies a rare synthesis of technical mastery and emotional depth, drawing inspiration from the bel canto tradition while embracing the evolving landscape of contemporary performance.

Throughout his career, Arjan has graced stages across Europe, offering interpretations marked by elegance, clarity, and a deeply personal musical voice. His performances resonate with sincerity and artistic integrity, revealing an artist who approaches every note as an opportunity to communicate beauty, meaning, and human connection.

Beyond his achievements as a performer, Arjan contributes to the international music community through artistic leadership and creative vision. As Artistic Director of the Virtuoso Grand Prix Albania, he champions emerging talent and fosters cultural dialogue through music.
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Honored as a Platinum Winner of the 2026 North American Virtuoso International Music Competition, Arjan continues to expand his artistic horizons with passion, humility, and a profound love for the oboe. His musical journey stands as a testament to lifelong devotion and the transformative power of art.

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​Namhee Kim - Voice - Professional Category - Germany - Platinum Medalist

Korean soprano Namhee Kim is the Platinum Award winner (Voice) at the North American Virtuoso International Music Competition (NAVI). Based in Germany as a freelance singer, she completed her Master’s degree in Opera and Soloist Postgraduate Studies (Solistische Ausbildung) at the University of Music and Performing Arts Mannheim. She was also a member of the Opera Studio at the Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern, developing her artistry under the guidance of Prof. Stefanie Krahnenfeld.

Her notable opera engagements at Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern include Pamina and Papagena (Die Zauberflöte), Adina (L’elisir d’amore), Tebaldo (Don Carlo), Lady Macbeth’s Kammerfrau (Macbeth), and Clorinda (Il combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda). She also performed Belinda (Dido and Aeneas) at Saalbau Neustadt.

On the concert stage, she performed with the Mannheim Philharmonic at Rosengarten Mannheim (featuring excerpts from La Bohème as a cover for Sonya Yoncheva’s Mimì) and with the Baden-Baden Philharmonic at Kurhaus Baden-Baden. Her repertoire also includes the soprano solo in Geonyong Lee’s oratorio The Passion of Jesus Christ.

Her other accolades include First Prizes at the Swiss, Vienna, and Berlin Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competitions, and the Absolute Platinum Award at the Quebec Music Competition.

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Yukito Yoshida (Flute) and Hiroko Yoshida (Piano) - Flute & Piano Duo - Youth Category - Japan - Platinum Medalists

Yukito Yoshida began studying the flute in the first grade and has pursued his musical training with distinction for the past six years. He is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Gold Prize at the All Japan Wind Music Competition, First Prize at the Osaka International Music Competition, First Prize and the Special Jury Prize at the Saitama International Music Competition (Junior Division), and First Prize, the Special Jury Prize, and the Kariya Music Association Award at the Kariya International Music Competition. He also received First Prize and the Mie Prefectural Governor's Award in the Elementary School Flute Division of the Mie Music Competition.
In 2024, Yukito made his orchestral debut as a flute soloist with the Arte Orchestra and was honored with the 24th Mie Prefecture Culture Award for Emerging Artists.
In 2025, he received the Gold Prize and Special Jury Prize in the Wind Instruments Division (Grades 5–6) of the Romanian International Junior Music Competition, First Prize in the Elementary School Wind Instrument Division of the 27th Great Wall Cup International Music Competition, and the Absolute First Prize and Special Venue Music Award in the United States. As a result, he was invited to perform at the Winners' Awards Ceremony Concert at Carnegie Hall.
Throughout these performances and competitions, Hiroko Yoshida has served as his collaborative pianist, providing distinguished artistic partnership.

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Alexander Grygoruk - Voice - Youth Category - Australia - Platinum Medalist

​Alexander Grygoruk (a.k.a. Shumo AG)  is a 14-year-old Australian singer-songwriter, composer and multi-
instrumentalist based in Brisbane, Queensland. He has written and officially released 17 original songs, establishing himself as one of Australia's emerging young singer- songwriters. His music blends emotional storytelling, melodic guitar work and contemporary pop-rock influences, with electric guitar playing a central role in shaping the melodies, emotion and atmosphere of his songs. His songs explore themes of family, resilience, self-discovery, vulnerability and hope, with strong melodies and lyrics that connect with both young listeners and wider audiences. His original song Mom received the Super Grand Prix at the International Competition Ukraine Unites the World, while several of his other original songs and
instrumental compositions have received multiple awards in Australian songwriting and composition competitions. He is also the recipient of the AMEB Gold Award (2024).

Shumo has performed on major stages across Australia and Asia, including MTV School Fest and Mega Booming, performing before audiences of up to 40,000 people. In 2026, he released Iron Veins, his original song later reimagined in collaboration with Indonesian hit band Batas Senja, who have around 9.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify. The release introduced Shumo's music to new international audiences and
marked an important milestone in his artistic journey.

With a growing international profile, extensive live performance experience and a combined social media audience of more than 700,000 followers, Shumo represents a new generation of young artists committed to original songwriting, authentic storytelling and meaningful connection through music.

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​Vasilios Evangelos Tourloupis - Composition - Open Category - Australia - Gold Medalist 

Born in Melbourne, Vasilios Evangelos Tourloupis, or Bill for short, learnt to play the bouzouki at the young age of seven. Influenced by his relatives, he would sometimes perform with them at their gigs on special occasions, but never took playing the bouzouki professionally or, at least, semi-professionally until later in life.  In secondary school Bill learnt to play the bass guitar, performing in theatrical productions with the school concert band.

Alas, his studies took priority during his early to mid-twenties, which prevented him from furthering his interests in music.  Instead, he concentrated on completing his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science at La Trobe University, and an Honours degree in Computing at Monash University in Victoria. 

In his thirties, Bill moved to South Coast NSW for work, where he continued playing the bouzouki and bass guitar in local bands.  During this time, he also learnt to play the acoustic guitar, piano/keyboard and drums, although was not as proficient with these instruments as he was with the bouzouki and bass guitar.

Learning to play the piano/keyboard in his mid-thirties was a turning point for Bill, as it inspired him to compose his own music.  Unlike other composers, though, Bill did not have formal training in music and composition.  Apart from the teachings of his uncle, music, piano and drumming teachers, everything Bill learnt and understood about music was either self-taught or gained through experience.

It wasn’t until his late 40’s/early 50’s that Bill decided to transcribe his tunes to sheet music.  Initially, it started with the tunes that he composed on the piano/keyboard, and then the tunes he had composed earlier in life on the guitar and bouzouki.  One composition in particular was based on a tune that he had composed using software predating Windows 95!

Influenced by his concert band experience, though, Bill went on to write many Jazz pieces.  As a composer, he has written over 20 original works, including pieces for musical ensembles, solo instruments, and orchestras.  He has released many of his original works on streaming platforms such as YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.

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Arturs Busils  - Violin - Youth Category - Latvia - Gold Medalist 
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Arturs Busils was born on February 2, 2013, in Riga, Latvia.
He has recently completed the 6th grade at Jāzepa Mediņa Riga Music School No. 1 under the guidance of his teacher, Daiga Rozentale.
Throughout his studies, Arturs has demonstrated himself to be a passionate and dedicated musician and is a regular participant in school concerts.
This was Arturs’ first time participating in the North American Virtuoso International Music Competition (NAVI), where he was awarded a prize.

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Ian Tan - Piano - Junior Category - USA - Gold Medalist

Ian is an 8-year-old pianist from Fremont, California, who has loved music from an early age. He began his piano journey at the age of 4 and currently studies with Ssu-Chi “Winnie” Chen, whose patient guidance and encouragement have helped him grow both musically and artistically.

Beyond piano, Ian enjoys expressing himself through dance and singing. Blessed with absolute pitch, he quickly recognizes melodies and learns new music with ease. He especially loves creating his own songs and often enjoys playing the piano while singing, combining creativity and imagination in his music.

Ian genuinely enjoys performing on stage and treasures every opportunity to share music with others. Whether practicing a new piece, improvising a new melody, or performing in recital, he approaches music with curiosity, joy, and enthusiasm.

Winning the Gold Medal at the 2026 North American Virtuoso International Music Competition is Ian’s first piano competition achievement. Above all, he hopes to keep exploring music with curiosity, creativity, and joy—both on and off the stage.

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Claire Zhao - Violin - Junior Category - USA - Gold Medalist

Claire Zhao (born in 2019) is a young violinist from California, USA. She began studying piano at the age of four and a half before pursuing her passion for the violin. Claire started formal violin lessons with Jing Yang and has also received vocal training since the age of three.

Claire enjoys expressing herself through music and is inspired by the elegance and storytelling of classical repertoire. She is grateful for the support of her teacher and family, who encourage her to grow both musically and personally.

In addition to music, Claire loves reading, ballet, art, and spending time outdoors. She is excited to continue learning, performing, and sharing the joy of music with audiences.

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​Anthony Chong - Alto Saxophone - Junior Category - Hong Kong - Silver Medalist 

Anthony began learning the Alto Saxophone in 2020 at the age of five.  Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic and interruptions to regular lessons, he remained dedicated to his musical development and quickly demonstrated exceptional commitment and progress.

After achieving Distinction in ABRSM Grade 3 Alto Saxophone in 2023, Anthony began participating in music competitions across the Asia-Pacific region, earning numerous first prizes and championship titles, including success at a live competition in Tokyo, Japan.  Over the following years, he expanded onto the international stage, receiving top prizes in competitions organized by institutions in Europe and North America, as well as invitations to perform at prestigious concert venues.

Anthony continued his rapid musical advancement and was awarded Distinction in ABRSM Grade 8 Alto Saxophone in 2025 at the age of 10.  Most recently, Anthony completed the Trinity ATCL Diploma in Alto Saxophone with results pending.
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Outisde of competitions, Anthony is an active member of his schools' Senior Wind Band and serves as the leader of the Saxophone Quartet.  He regularly performs in school concerts and community events, and is committed to supporting charitable and faith-based initiatives through music, sharing his passion and bringing a positive impact towards wider audiences.

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​Ryan Dey - Voice - Youth Category - India - Silver Medalist  

Ryan began his musical journey at the age of Six and has spent the past seven years developing a deep love for music while refining his vocal skills. He enjoys singing soothing Indian classical Music and has been learning for the past 6 years. In addition, Ryan likes to sing uplifting western vocal music, and also plays various instruments like Western Classical Piano, Electric Guitar, and Ukulele. 

Ryan has won 2nd Prize with Special Jury award in Beethoven International Music Competition 2026, Silver Medalist in the North American Virtuoso International Music Competition 2026 in Vocal Music, Third Place Winner in American Protege International Music Competition 2026 for Vocal Music, Silver Medalist in Quebec International Music Competition 2025. Ryan’s achievements led to several performances, including opportunities to perform In Lugano, Switzerland in Summer 2026 Masterclass by Tiziano Rossetti International Music Academy,  in front of Padma Shri and Grammy Award winner Dr Shankar Mahadevan and larger audiences in “Parampara” Concert at NMACC (Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre) with Shankar Mahadevan Sir, at Prayag Bengaluru 2025 of Shankar Mahadevan Academy and several other prestigious musical events.

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Viaan Ghorpade - Piano - Youth Category - United Arab Emirates - Silver Medalist 

Viaan Ghorpade is a young pianist based in Dubai, UAE, known for his expressive musicality and versatility across classical, contemporary, and orchestral repertoire. He began his musical journey at an early age and has steadily built a strong foundation in both performance and musicianship.
Viaan has achieved ABRSM Grade 8 Piano Performance with Merit and recently successfully completed the AMTB Performance Diploma examination, marking another significant milestone in his musical journey. He is currently pursuing further advanced studies in classical piano. In addition, he has completed Trinity College London Grade 8 in Drums with Merit, reflecting his broad musical interests and strong rhythmic foundation.

His performances span the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and contemporary repertoire, showcasing both technical precision and musical expression. Viaan has performed at prestigious concerts and events, represented his school and music institutions in competitions and public performances, and has earned recognition at several international piano competitions, including a Silver Medal at the North American Virtuoso International Music Competition.
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Driven by discipline, curiosity, and a genuine passion for music, Viaan continues to grow as a young musician, striving to connect with audiences through expressive and meaningful performances while developing as an emerging classical pianist.

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Proudly presenting 2025 (Last Year's) NAVI Winners

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​Sergei Dreznin - Piano - Professional Category - Austria - Absolute Platinum Medalist 

Sergei Dreznin is not just an artist – he is a creative volcano, a musical visionary, and a boundary-crosser who relentlessly seeks and finds the unexpected. As a concert pianist, award-winning composer, and inspiring teacher, he brings music to life and creates theatrical worlds that captivate audiences. He fascinates, surprises, and challenges – always with the goal of delivering profound emotional experiences.

Born in 1955, Sergei Dreznin comes from a Jewish family in Moscow. His father, Grigory, volunteered in 1941 to fight against the Nazis, only to be sentenced in 1948 to five years in a labor camp due to his Jewish heritage. In 1973, Sergei was denied admission to the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, but 25 years later, he graduated from the very same institution with distinction in composition.

Since 1987, Sergei has lived in Vienna, New York, Paris, and Berlin.
"The dream of Leonard Bernstein for an opera in the form of a musical was realized by Sergei Dreznin, a Soviet composer," wrote Der Standard following the premiere of Sergei Dreznin's Ophelia – Opera in Blue at Vienna's Roter Engel in 1988. Since then, Sergei has brought over 20 original musical theater projects to the stage in cities such as New York, Vienna, Paris, Moscow, and Madrid. These include the musical epic Catherine the Great, 24 Hours in the Life of a Woman based on Stefan Zweig, the biting satire 1000 Suns, or Dr. Jöckel in Power, and most recently, The Man Who Laughs. In collaboration with George Tabori in Vienna, he worked on R+J Musical and Hamlet for the Wiener Festwochen in 1990.

His Chansons und Satiren aus Theresienstadt at the Rabenhof Theater, with Alexander Waechter and Tania Golden, brought the legendary cabaret from the Theresienstadt concentration camp back to life and toured major German-speaking stages. French, English, and Russian versions followed.

As a concert pianist, Sergei brought fresh wind to the often rigid world of piano interpretation. He has been a welcome guest at festivals such as Julian Rachlin and Friends, Annecy Classic, and the Sviatoslav Richter Festival in Tarusa. Following in Franz Liszt's footsteps, he has created numerous transcriptions, transforming Liszt’s works into virtuoso violin concertos, which were performed by Julian Rachlin at the Herbstgold Festival at Schloss Esterházy. In 1997, Sergei performed at the Salzburg Festival as a pianist, joining Daphne Wagner and Richard Strauss in a dramatic reading of the correspondence between their legendary ancestors, Cosima Wagner and composer Richard Strauss. Upcoming performance at the same stage: July 31, as composer and creator, in a powerful program “Baby Yar. Voices” with the German theater star Dörte Lyssewsky

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​Byungwook Park - Viola - Collegiate Category - South Korea - Platinum Medalist

Byungwook Park is an 11th grade student at Seoul International School and a passionate violist recognized for his expressive tone and technical excellence. 

Currently attending Seoul International School as a Senior, Byungwook has served as the Viola principal in the High School Symphony Orchestra and High School Strings Orchestra for 3 years. Byungwook founded the IV quartet and has taught approximately 40 students, typically children of foreign immigrants, over the past three years, alongside his counterparts. Through such outreach, he has instilled musical passion and skill in his students and has hosted annual concerts featuring them.

In 2025, he appeared as a guest soloist with the Grand Philharmonic Orchestra, performing William Walton’s Viola Concerto under the direction of Maestro Hoon Seo at Yongsan Art Hall. His artistry has earned him numerous accolades on the international stage, including 3rd Place at the 2023 American Classical Young Musician Award, 1st Place at the 2023 Kings Peak Music Competition, and a Silver Medal at the 2024 Green Innovation Challenge. At the 2024 Best Classical Musicians Awards, he received the Gold Prize for Best Modern Period Music, the Special Award for Superior Technique, and the Platinum Prize for Best Musician in the 14–17 age category. His achievements also include the Platinum Prize in Modern A and the Special Performance Award at the 2024 Beethovinci International Music Competition, the Grand Prize at the 2024 International Seoul Competition, and a High Commendation in the Strings Category at the 2025 AMIS (Association for Music in International Schools). He was also named a finalist in both the 2025 North American Virtuoso International Music Competition and the 2025 American Virtuoso International Music Competition.

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Egshiglen Sainzaya – Yatga - Collegiate Category - Mongolia - Platinum Medalist

Egshiglen is a talented young musician who graduated in 2025 from the Mongolian State Conservatory, specializing in the yatga, Mongolia’s traditional zither, and distinguished for her tone, sensitivity, and technical mastery. Over seven years of dedicated study, she has mastered this instrument, blending classical technique with the rich heritage of Mongolian traditional music to create her own distinctive voice.

During her studies, she served for three years as concertmaster of the National Orchestra of Traditional Music, skillfully guiding the ensemble’s artistry and uniting its musicians in performance. In 2024, she founded the Yatga Quartet, collaborating with artists from Mongolia and abroad, and presented a graduation recital that was met with great success. Her work is
dedicated to introducing Mongolian traditional music to the world and preserving its cultural legacy.

As a role model for her peers and the next generation of musicians, she continues to advocate for the enduring value of the nation’s musical heritage. Egshiglen’s career is marked by numerous notable achievements. In 2019, she performed successfully in the Blue Silk Deel concert. Three years later, she earned third place at the Gerege First National Competition for Young Musicians. In 2023, she won first place with the Khatan Yatga ensemble and third place with the Aravt group at the Melody of Joy competition,
and also performed with Khatan Yatga at the Virtuoso Gala Concert. The following year, she secured second place with Khatan Yatga at the Spring Festival of Arts in the DPRK, participated in the New Names program, and achieved first place in the Professional “A” Category at the Star of Dunhuang 2nd Yatga Competition in Inner Mongolia. In 2025, she won first place in Category II at the ART-ISKUSSTVO International Traditional Musicians Competition in Ufa, Russia, and became a finalist in the American Virtuoso International Music Competition. Through her artistry, Egshiglen bridges the serene, meditative sound of the Mongolian yatga
with the creativity of contemporary composition, creating a connection that resonates deeply with audiences around the world.

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​Taylor Louise Fong - Voice (Pop) - Junior Category - Malaysia - Gold Medalist

​Taylor Louise is an award-winning young performer from Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, known for her expressive voice, emotional depth, and remarkable stage presence. At just 11 years old, she has represented Malaysia on multiple international stages, earning acclaim in both pop and musical theatre.

In 2024, Taylor was named Division Champion and awarded Gold First at the World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Los Angeles. She later won top honors at the Asia Students Arts Festival — securing championship titles in both the Singapore preliminaries and International Finals in Hong Kong.
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In 2025, Taylor represented Malaysia at the Sanremo Junior World Finals in Italy, where she earned a Special Mention and placed among the Top 5 globally. She also won First Prize in Musical Theatre and Pop Song at the Song International Singing Competition UK.
Her accolades include Absolute First Prize at Golden Prestige International, Platinum Award at GYMC, Champion at GASCA International, and the Saint-Saëns Special Award for Superior Interpretation, along with Platinum and Gold Awards in Vocal Pop and Musical at the Saint-Saëns International Music Competition.​

In August 2025, Taylor performs at the Britten Theatre, Royal College of Music in London and stars as the youngest cast member in Dreamweaver The Musical, Sarawak’s first English musical, debuting nationally at PJPAC.

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​Maya Kim - Violin - Youth Category - USA - Gold Medalist

Maya started playing violin at age 4, under the instruction of Lee-Anne Fenwick. During the pandemic, she started lessons with Kelley McGarry through the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. She currently studies primarily under Kor’ee Jackson at the Louisville Academy of Music, and is co-leader of the virtual chamber orchestra at The Academy at Laurel Springs. In addition to being a gold medalist at the North American Virtuoso International Music Competition, she was a silver medalist at the Quebec International Music Competition. In addition to violin, she is an Open-Championship level competitive Irish dancer, and enjoys playing Irish dance music and other fiddle tunes in addition to classical music. 

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Elise Hoang - Voice - Youth Category - USA - Silver Medalist 

Elise Hoang is a 13-year-old musician with a strong passion for the arts. She began studying classical piano at age 4 and recently started vocal training, focusing on musical theater. In 2024, she achieved First Place at the San Francisco Innovative Music Competition, as well as Second Place honors in both the Great Composers Competition and the Prodigy International Music Competition. Continuing her success in 2025, she earned the Gold Medal at the Trinity International Music Competition.

Elise loves performing and finds great joy in sharing music with others.
​She looks forward to continuing her growth as both a pianist and a singer. Outside of music, she enjoys science, painting and writing, always exploring new ways to express her creativity.

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Vito Hsu - Cello - Collegiate Category - USA -  Silver Medalist

Vito Hsu is a 17-year-old high school student currently attending Arcadia High School in California and he is also a member of the school orchestra. Vito began learning the piano in third grade and the cello in fourth grade. His family's love for music inspired him to start learning musical instruments from an early age.
In addition to his passion for music, Vito is also strong in sports. Music and Sports are an almost inseparable part of his life, which makes him open-minded, cheerful, and healthy.
Vito has achieved outstanding results in various music competitions, including winning a silver medal in the NAVI competition, a gold medal in the Quebec competition and a second place medal in the VIVALDI international competition. He is constantly improving and enhancing his progress as he grows. His positive learning attitude and dedication are truly admirable and worth learning from.

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Victor Ghinita - Piano - Junior Category - USA - Bronze Medalist 

Victor Ghinita is an 8-year-old pianist with a deep love for playing piano and exploring the world of music. He began his piano journey at the age of 4 at the South Shore Piano School in Quincy, Massachusetts. He later continued his studies at the renowned Qatar Music Academy, one of the leading music institutions in the Middle East.
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Victor has already achieved distinction in both Grade 1 and Grade 2 ABRSM Piano Performance Exams, a testament to his dedication, discipline, and musical talent. With each performance, he continues to grow as a young musician, developing both his technique and expressive ability.
Victor values learning through both formal instruction and shared musical experiences. He draws inspiration from his teachers’ guidance as well as from his peers, often participating in piano recitals where he not only performs but also observes and appreciates the talents of fellow musicians. He finds joy in sharing music with others, while also gaining inspiration from the talents around him.

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Presenting NAVI Winner's Biographies from 2024

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​Mia Robarts  - Violin - USA - Youth Category - Absolute Platinum Medalist 

Mia Robarts, 16, began playing the violin at age 6 and made her orchestral debut at age 9.  She currently studies with renowned pedagogue Elizabeth Faidley, of the Manhattan School of Music.  Mia has performed at several prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center as well as abroad in Vienna, Salzburg, Budapest, and Barcelona.   A three-time alumnus of the Heifetz Summer Institute, Mia has played in masterclasses with Midori, Augustin Hadelich, Lisa Batiashvili, and Carolin Widmann, and Pekka Kuusisto.  In addition to her passion for the violin and her dog Penny, Mia enjoys drawing, gaming, and also volunteers regularly at her local food pantry and as a “strings buddy” mentoring younger local violinists.  Mia has an engaged following on instagram (@mia_robarts_violin), where she shares her musical progress and experiences with other aspiring violinists and musicians.

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​Andrea Tarozzi - Jazz Piano - Italy - Professional Category - Platinum Medalist

​Andrea Tarozzi obtained his V.O. diploma in Piano in 1989 from the “L. Campiani” Conservatory in Mantua with top marks. After graduating, he dedicated himself to the study of jazz, studying with esteemed musicians such as Stefano Battaglia, Paolo Birro, Pietro Tonolo, Kenny Barron, and Barry Harris in New York. In 2000, he earned a three-year V.O. diploma in Jazz Music from the “F.A. Bonporti” Conservatory in Trento, studying under Franco d'Andrea. A decade later, in 2010, he graduated with honors with a second-level academic diploma in "Jazz Musical Disciplines - Piano" from the Rovigo Conservatory, where he studied with Marco Tamburini and Marcello Tonolo.
Throughout his career, he has collaborated with various musicians on the Italian jazz scene, performing in groups ranging from duos to orchestras. His discography includes "Blues for Elis" (2003) with the Andrea Tarozzi Trio, "Shades of Carol" (2005) with the Carol Sudhalter Quintet, "Our Songbook" (2007) with Andrea Tarozzi & Stefano Benini Duo, and "TSP The South Project" (2014). He also contributed to Chiara Santagiuliana’s "Italian Boogie" (2015), "Sam Most & The Italian Friends" (2015), and Marco Palmieri’s "Acoustic" (2016), available exclusively on Spotify. Further, he worked with the Italian Jazz Project Orchestra on "Horus" (2016), and the Palmieri, Soldano, Tarozzi Trio on "Heavy Swing" (2017), also available only on Spotify. His live recordings include "Live in S. Anna Arresi" (2014) with Flut3ibe, released by Nu Bop Records in 2017, and "Live in Croatia" (2021) with the Luca Donini Quartet. Most recently, he released "In the Roy’s Mood" (2023) with the Andrea Tarozzi Trio.
He has performed at numerous significant concerts, including the Mantova Jazz Festival in July 2000 with Mauro Negri and the Mantuan Jazz Musicians, the presentation of "Blues for Elis" at La Fontana Jazz Club in Verona in May 2003, and securing a second-place tie at the Jazz Pianist Competition in Ostra in July 2003. Other notable performances include the Illasi Art Festival in October 2005, Alexanderplatz in Rome in December 2005 with the Carol Sudhalter Quintet, and multiple appearances at the Garda Jazz Festival with the Future Orchestra conducted by Luca Donini in July 2011 and 2013. He also performed at the Vallagarina Jazz Festival in August 2013 with Flut3ibe, the Rubano Jazz Festival in July 2014 with the TSP Project, and the S. Anna Arresi Jazz Festival in December 2014 with Flut3ibe.
In October 2016, he played with the Sandro Gibellini Quartet at the Cohen Jazz Club in Verona and with the Luca Donini Quartet at Monselice Jazz. His performances at the Isola Jazz Session in Isola della Scala (VR) included quintet sessions in August 2017 and July 2019, and a trio session in July 2018. He returned to the Garda Jazz Festival in June 2018 with the Luca Donini Quartet and performed at the Pola Jazz Festival in Pola, Croatia, with the Luca Donini Quartet in August 2021.

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Jacorey Leung - Piano - Hong Kong - Pre-Junior Category - Gold Medalist 

Jacorey Leung is a 6-year-old extraordinary young musician based in Hong Kong. He began his piano journey at the age of 3 under the guidance of his dedicated piano teacher, Dr. Jessica Guo; by the age of 5, he achieved an impressive score of 143 with distinction in his ABRSM grade 5 piano exam. But piano isn't the only instrument he's interested in. He has also been learning cello, with Mr. Hilson Yip for over a year. He quickly rose to prominence as the principal cellist of the Fusion Youth Orchestra, captivating audiences with his musical prowess in numerous shows and concerts. He just had his concert with cello at Carnegie Hall New York.

Jacorey's musical journey continues to sparkle as he secured numerous international and local championships, including the 9th HK Youth Piano Competition, 7th HK Music Talent Music Competition 2022, and the 75th and 76th HK Music Festivals.
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Recently, Jacorey's school is sponsoring his latest musical pursuit: learning the Tuba. This support enables him to further expand his musical horizons. He wishes to use his music to inspire those around him and bring joy to everyone!

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Angelina Lee - Piano - Canada - Professional Category - Gold Medalist 

​Angelina is a University of Alberta after-degree Music student studying the piano with Dr. Zhenni Li-Cohen with a plan to pursue a Master's in Piano Performance. She began learning the piano at the age of 6 in South Korea. Despite taking a break from piano lessons for several years due to personal reasons, she was able to resume playing again in the winter of 2022 with the firm dream of performing and teaching the piano to spread the joy of music playing and inspire others to pursue what excites their heart.
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In 2023-2024, she performed on the piano and percussion with the University of Alberta’s University Symphony Orchestra (USO) and concert band. The 2024 North American Virtuoso International Music Competition was the second piano competition she entered since she resumed playing the piano professionally. She achieved a silver award in the Quebec Music competition shortly before receiving the gold medal in the 2024 NAVI competition. She plans to be involved in more performance and competition opportunities to build her musical skills and professional experiences.

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Eleisen Suh - Voice - South Korea - Youth Category - Silver Medalist 

​Eleisen (Ellie) Suh, is a 14-year-old girl from Seoul, South Korea. From the age of 7, she has been constantly exposed to a musical environment. She has been in multiple school productions such as Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory where she played Willy Wonka, the Little Mermaid where she played Ursula, and Shrek Jr. where she played the storyteller. Ellie has also been in her school's choir program for the past three years, being awarded merits such as the best soloist award, alongside the overall best middle school choir student award. Recently, Ellie was given the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall, and she truly hopes to continue to pursue music in the future, as it is her passion.

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Langxing Chen - Piano - USA - Youth Category - Silver Medalist 

Langxing Chen was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. At 12 years old, he is currently a 6th grader. Langxing began playing the piano at the age of 4 and has been dedicated to it for 8 years. He also plays the violin in his school orchestra. His favorite musician is Beethoven, whose music he enjoys for its passion and power.

​In addition to his musical interests, Langxing is an avid student-athlete and serves as the captain of both his school’s basketball and American football teams.

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