Young Soloists

Rising Star Alert! Young Soloists Concerto Competition

2023-2024 Winners: Elora Kares (cello), Cole Flores (flute), Sabrina Kerze (piano)

The Young Soloists Concerto Competition is a long-standing tradition and a highlight of our season. Students grades 7-12, playing any orchestral instrument, (including piano) are invited to audition for an opportunity to perform a movement of their concerto with the SSO.

Each year, the winners dazzle the audience with their musicality and virtuosity and inspire our orchestra to rise to their level. Many past winners such as pianist Orion Weiss, and Cleveland Orchestra members Diane Mather and Eliesha Nelson have gone on to distinguished professional careers. Who will be next?

Announcing Our 2025-2026 Winners: Max Tian (piano), Nick Jacques (cello), Yi-Chuan Li (violin)

Max Tian

Piano

Max Tian, 14, is a dedicated young pianist who studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) Academy and is also a freshman at University School.

Max is an enthusiastic performer with notable orchestral and recital experiences. He made his orchestral debut at age 10, performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major with the Greater Toronto Philharmonic Orchestra. He has also appeared with the Kindred Spirits Orchestra and the Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra. His performances have taken place in distinguished venues including the Van Cliburn Concert Hall in Texas, Koerner Hall in Toronto, and Kulas Hall and Mixon Hall in Cleveland.

Max has earned top prizes in several prestigious national and international competitions. Most recently, he was named Winner of the 2026 CIM Academy Concerto Competition, and performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor with the CIM Orchestra. He was also a winner of the 2026 Young Soloists Concerto Competition of the Suburban Symphony Orchestra, performing Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, and Alternate Winner for the State of Ohio in the 2025 National Teachers Music Competition.

Max’s earlier achievements include Third Place in the 2022 Canadian Music Competition, Second Prize in the 2022 Napolinova World Piano e-Competition, and Second Prize in the VI Krystian Tkaczewski Competition. In 2025, he was also recognized as a Steinway Rising Star in Cleveland, Ohio. He was selected as a performer in PianoTexas 2023 and 2026, and was a performer in Vancouver Piano Sessions 2024 and 2025.

Max began studying piano at age 4 and studied with Dr. Michael Berkovsky for nine years. Over the course of his musical development, he has received mentorship from Alexander Panizza and Dmitri Levkovich. Currently, he is studying under the guidance of Dr. Daria Rabotkina at the CIM Academy.

Max finds deep fulfillment in sharing music with the community, where live performance gives him the opportunity to connect with audiences and explore the expressive heart of each work. He enjoys swimming and snowboarding, and he is a member of the University School Glee Club.

Nick Jacques

Cello

Nicholas Jacques is a 15-year-old cellist and sophomore at Hawken School. He started to learn cello at age 8 with Abbey Hansen and currently studies with Alan Harrell of The Cleveland Orchestra and Si-Yan Darren Li of the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Nick was named Principal Cellist of The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra (COYO) in 2025 and has been a member since 2023. He has also served as Principal Cellist of The Contemporary Youth Orchestra (CYO) since 2024, where he has been a member since 2022.

In the summer of 2025, Nick attended the Meadowmount School of Music, studying with Wei Yu and Thomas Landschoot. His honors include awards from the Cleveland Cello Society Scholarship Competition 2024, the Lakeland Civic Orchestra Competition (Junior Division-2024), the Schumacher Young Artist Competition 2026 and the Gordon and Jean L. Pititt Annual Music Scholarship Competition 2026.

Yi-Chuan Li

Violin

Yi-Chuan Li, age 13, is a violinist and 8th grader at Hudson Middle School. He started the violin at age 6 with Michael Houff and currently studies with Wei-Fang Gu, a violinist in The Cleveland Orchestra. He has also studied piano for 8 years with Hillary Houff and he enjoys reading, chemistry, and mathematics in his free time.

Yi-Chuan is a member of the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra (COYO), his school orchestra, and participates in string chamber with Dr. Marlene Moses. He has received many awards at the Sigma Alpha Iota Cleveland Alumnae Chapter’s Annual String Competition, including 1st place in 2026.