2026 Competition | Violin and Woodwinds
Artists and Program
The CYAC Final Round is broadcast live and held before a live audience.
The California Young Artists Competition
Discovering the next generation of soloist artists.
2026
VIOLIN | WOODWINDS
2027
CELLO | BRASS
2028
PIANO | VIOLA | CONTRABASS
2026 COMPETITION
March 15th
Preliminary Round Deadline
March 22nd
Advancing Candidates Announced
April 11th
Semi-Finals
April 12th
Finals
CYAS presents the California Young Artists Competition, a 3-round competition seeking to discover the next generation of soloist artists, held at Cal Lutheran University in beautiful Thousand Oaks, California.
CYAC Prize Purse
Artists compete for over $3,500 in cash prizes, a recording contract, and a soloist engagement with CYAS in the upcoming season.
Preliminary Round Distinctions
CYAC recognize over 20 artists for Preliminary Round Artist Distinction Awards, which are invaluable for scholarship and audition applications.
Awards
Over $3,500 in prizes…
First Prize
CYAS Soloist Engagement
Second Prize
Third Prize
Director’s Distinction – Recording Engagement
A recording engagement may be presented to up to 2 finalists. The engagement includes a commercial recording release of an EP-Length album,
including one filmed movement or work with distribution on all major streaming platforms.
Rising Artist Awards
Candidates who do not advance to the semi-final round are eligible for recognition for outstanding recording submissions by grade category. Laureates are guaranteed
a letter of recommendation from CYAC towards any college application of their choice.
Competition Jury
Meet the distinguished artists that make up the 2026 CYAC Jury.
Camille
Avellano
Violin
Head Juror
Ji Young
An
Violin
Juror
Catherine
Gregory
Woodwinds
Head Juror
Nick
Akdag
Woodwinds
Juror
Alexander Tseitlin
CYAS
Director
2026 Competition Schedule
Preliminary Round
Sun March 15th 2026
Application and Recording Submission
The preliminary round consists of a submission of the artist’s Bio, CV, and a video recording of a single movement of the artist’s concerto selection and two compulsory works.
Advancing candidates are announced April 6th.
Sun March 22nd 2026
Advancing Candidates Announced
Candidates that advance to the semi-final round are announced and receive travel, accompanist, and scheduling information.
Artist Distinction Awards Announced
Artist Distinction awards are announced, and signed certificates and recommendation letters are delivered within 30 days.
Semi-Final Round
April 11th 2026
Concerto Audition
8 to 10 semi-finalists
The semi-final round consists of a 20-minute audition performance of the artist’s concerto movement selected from the preliminary round, as well as a brief pre-selected excerpt of the remaining movements.
Candidates advancing to the final round are announced shortly after each division concludes.
Final Round
April 12th 2026
Finalist Recital and
Awards Ceremony
4 to 5 finalists
The final round consists of a 35-45 minute live recital, the program consisting of the artist’s concerto movement selected from the preliminary round, one of the preliminary round compulsory pieces, and additional repertoire of the artist’s choosing.
Winners are announced in the evening at the closing awards ceremony.