Announcing the Winners of the VSO School of Music Future of Excellence Concerto Competition
The VSO School of Music Future of Excellence Concerto Competition promotes, celebrates and supports the aspirations and achievements of young musicians studying at the VSO School of Music and is open to piano, strings, voice, woodwinds, brass, and percussion students.
Junior Division Finalists
Senior Division Finalists
This prestigious competition spotlights emerging talent, offering the Senior Division winner the rare honour to perform as a soloist with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and for the Junior Division winner, the chance to perform as a soloist with a VSO School of Music Ensemble. Scholarship funding, recital and professional development opportunities are also awarded.
Congratulations to Forest Benson (piano student of Dr. Bogdan Dulu) and Paloma Martins (cello student of Harold Birston) on winning the Senior and Junior Divisions respectively.
This year, we received an incredible number of applicants and the adjudication panel was extremely impressed with the calibre of all the performers. In an unprecedented turn of events, four (instead of three) Senior Division Finalists advanced to the final round, which took place in Pyatt Hall on April 25, 2026. The panel of adjudicators in the final round were Maestro Otto Tausk, Jane Coop, and Dr. Adrian Fung.
Maestro Otto Tausk, Artistic Advisor of the VSO School of Music and Music Director of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra says, “This year’s edition of the Future of Excellence competition at the VSO School of Music was a truly remarkable one. Such talent, creativity and commitment from all candidates. We are so proud of every student and grateful to our amazing teachers involved in this event, every time a real highlight of the season for me.”
Jane Coop C.M., O.B.C., Pianist and Distinguished University Scholar, shared, “My experience listening to the marvellous young musicians taking part in the VSO School’s Future of Excellence Concerto Competition was utterly inspiring. Not only was the technical ability of these players at an exceedingly high level, but the music emanated directly from their hearts—and that was very clear. What a wonderful time we, the privileged adjudicators had!”
“The strength of this competition is that it doesn’t just reward excellence, it reveals it. In a time when focus and presence are increasingly fleeting, these young musicians meet a real audience under real pressure. What stood out was not only the level of playing, but the sense that they were using that moment to say something meaningful. You can hear the depth of teaching and mentorship behind that. That’s what turns potential into artistry,” says Dr. Adrian Fung, Senior Vice President, Artistic, VSO.
At the VSO School of Music, we nurture the next generation of Canadian musical leaders by fostering exceptional talent and congratulate all the finalists.
Junior Finalists: Vivienne Celuch (violin student of Carla Birston), Paloma Martins (cello student of Harold Birston), Sophie Yang (violin student of Carla Birston).
Senior Finalists: Forest Benson (piano student of Bogdan Dulu), Yuki Kirikae (piano student of Dr. Sergei Saratvosky), Hourod Rakhshanfar (cello student of Christopher Chan & Jonathan Lo), Elsa Wang (violin student of Carla Birston).
The 2027 VSO School of Music Future of Excellence Concerto Competition will be open to the school’s private lesson students. Dates are as follows:
- April 18, 2027: Application & Pre-screening Materials Deadline
- June 2, 2027: Preliminary Round
- June 7, 2027: Final Round
About VSO School of Music
VSO School of Music, founded in 2010, is a 25,000 square foot state of-the-art music school located adjacent to the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Vancouver. With a mission to enrich lives through the joy of learning, playing and performing the world’s great music, the VSO School of Music develops experiences that are accessible to all, regardless of age, ability, playing level or economic circumstances; and by nurturing creative and engaged members of society through achievement in the musical arts. With a roster of over 2,000 students, the School is proud to offer individual or group instruction by members of the Vancouver Symphony and other high-quality music educators.
VSO School of Music Advantage
VSO School of Music students enjoy an array of opportunities, including side-by-side and pre-concert appearances with the VSO; masterclasses with international guest artists; concerts in venues around Vancouver; collaborations with the VSO School’s jazz and other music departments; coachings with VSO principal players; weekend intensive retreats and much more.
About Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Founded in 1919, the Grammy and Juno Award-winning VSO is the third largest symphony orchestra in Canada, and the largest performing arts organization in Western Canada. The VSO creates, curates, and connects irresistible musical experiences — performing 150+ concerts annually in its home, the Orpheum, as well as numerous venues throughout Metro Vancouver. The VSO is one of a handful of orchestras worldwide that has its own music school: the VSO School of Music. The organization delivers extensive education programs reaching more than 50,000 young people annually, and community engagement initiatives that reach a further 100,000+ people. Maestro Otto Tausk is the VSO’s Music Director and the Artistic Advisor of the VSO School of Music.