2026 Florence Man & Bernard Sze Concerto Competition Showcases Outstanding Student Performers

On February 8, The Phil and Eli Taylor Performance Academy for Young Artists presented the 2026 Florence Man & Bernard Sze Concerto Competition at The Royal Conservatory’s Mazzoleni Concert Hall. The annual event featured performances by junior and senior students, performing a range of Classical concerto repertoire.

The competition honours the ongoing support of Florence Man and Bernard Sze and provides young musicians with the opportunity to perform foundational works.

A jury panel of four subject-matter experts – violinist Andrew Wan, pianist (and Academy alum) Philip Chiu, soprano Jonelle Sills, and oboist Marco Cera - thoughtfully evaluated the 38 performers.  Following adjudication, eight students were named winners in the Junior and Senior Divisions and will be featured in concerts this spring alongside a chamber orchestra of RCM faculty and students.
 

Junior Division Winners

The following Junior Division students will perform in the Stars of Tomorrow concert on March 10 at Mazzoleni Concert Hall:

• Harvey Xiaoci Xu, piano
  Studio of Li Wang
  Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K. 466, I. Allegro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (arr. Lachner)
• Khloe Wu, piano
  Studio of Michael Berkovsky
  Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15, I. Allegro con brio by Ludwig van Beethoven (arr. Lachner)
• Murasaki Matsutani, piano
  Studio of Michael Berkovsky
  Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K. 488, I. Allegro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• Angela Yuan, violin
  Studio of Timothy Ying
  Romance No. 2 in F Major, Op. 50 by Ludwig van Beethoven
• Alice Yang, violin
  Studio of Mayumi Seiler
  Violin Concerto No. 3 in G Major, K. 216, I. Allegro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Senior Division Winners

Senior Division winners will perform on May 2 at Koerner Hall:

• Katie Lair, soprano
  Studio of Robert Loewen
  Exsultate, jubilate, K. 165 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• Oskar Daniel-Raum, piano
  Studio of Anya Alexeyev
  Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K. 488, I. Allegro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• Tina Sievers, violin
  Studio of Mayumi Seiler
  Romance No. 2 in F Major, Op. 50 by Ludwig van Beethoven

The jury also highlighted the performances of Theadora Koski and Salma Khakimov in recognition of their musical achievements during the competition.


The Royal Conservatory recognizes the continued generosity of Florence Man and Bernard Sze - who graciously attended the entire 9-hour competition - for their support of this important performance and competition opportunity at The Taylor Academy.