National competition winners to perform March 14 with Coeur d'Alene Symphony Orchestra

The Coeur d'Alene Symphony Orchestra will present its annual Celebrating Young Artists Concert at 3 p.m. March 14 in the Schuler Performing Arts Center on the North Idaho College campus.

A free pre-concert lecture, Dialogues with Danh, will be held at 2 p.m., offering audience members insight into the program and performance.

The concert will showcase six winners of the CSO's National Young Artist Competition. They will perform celebrated masterworks alongside the full orchestra under the direction of Music Director Danh Pham. The program will highlight exceptional young musicians from across the country, each demonstrating remarkable artistry while performing some of classical music’s most beloved repertoire.

2026 Young Artist Competition Winners

Gabrielle Sewell, violin — A soloist and educator praised for her “innate musicianship” and “formidable technique,” Sewell is a winner of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Concerto Competition and has appeared as a soloist with multiple orchestras, including a performance alongside Andrea Bocelli. She will perform Henryk Wieniawski’s "Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 22."

Lily Richards, violin — A 17-year-old from Chehalis, Wash., Richards won first prize in the 2025 Olympia Young Artists Competition and earned a bronze medal in the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition. She has performed as a soloist with Philharmonia Northwest and the Tacoma Junior Youth Symphony. She will perform Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s "Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35."

Elizabeth Li, piano — A junior at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music, Li has earned top honors in national and international competitions, including a gold medal at the National Young Maestro Competition, with performances at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, and grand prize at the New York Concert Festival Competition at Lincoln Center. She will perform Maurice Ravel’s "Piano Concerto in G."

Bridget Hoang, piano — An 11th-grade student from Morgan Hill, Calif., Hoang has received numerous competition honors and has appeared as a soloist with the Golden State Youth Orchestra and the Palo Alto Philharmonic. She will perform Sergei Rachmaninoff’s "Piano Concerto No. 1 in F minor, Op. 1."

Kiko Li, bassoon — A Doctoral of Musical Arts candidate at the University of Minnesota, Li holds advanced degrees from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music and has served as guest principal with several orchestras. An influential figure in the online music community, she has garnered more than 100 million views worldwide with her videos. She will perform Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s "Bassoon Concerto in B major, K. 191."

Joanna Kim, soprano — A Korean-American soprano praised for her “crystal-clear” voice and compelling stage presence, Kim earned first place in the NATS Gwendolyn Roberts Young Artist Auditions and holds degrees from the University of Southern California and the New England Conservatory. She will perform “Glitter and Be Gay” from Leonard Bernstein’s Candide, the role of Cunegonde.

Tickets are $35 for adults, $25 for seniors and $15 for military/veterans and students. Admission for children ages 6-12 is free with the purchase of an adult or senior ticket. NIC students and children ages 0-5 may attend free of charge.

Info: cdasymphony.org or 208-765-3833

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