Winners honored for exceptional talent and artistry

BUENA PARK, Calif., March 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Yamaha has announced the 13 winners of the 2026 Yamaha Young Performing Artists (YYPA) Competition. The competition is designed to acknowledge and reward exceptional young musicians studying in the United States and excelling in classical, jazz, and contemporary music genres.

"The 2026 Yamaha Young Performing Artists Celebration promises to be one of the most extraordinary events in the history of the YYPA Program! Each winner is remarkably talented and will bring something unique to the celebration," said John Wittmann, associate vice president of artist relations. "The winners collaborate and perform a program they have put together specifically for this very unique concert, including some original pieces, and it is truly magical. The YYPA winners have earned this recognition and the YYPA Celebration Weekend, which includes a once-in-a-lifetime musical experience and workshops designed especially for them, will not soon be forgotten. Yamaha remains committed to music education and the YYPA Program is one way we will continue to help guide young musicians to rewarding careers. It is exciting and truly, deeply fulfilling to us."

Musicians skilled in brass, wind, string, percussion, and piano were invited to submit a video audition along with supporting materials. A panel of Yamaha Artists, experts, and national celebrity musicians evaluated each submission to determine this year's distinguished winners.

The 2026 YYPA Winners:

Enhan Li – Flute – The Colburn Music Academy
Harrison Kim – Clarinet – Eastman School of Music
Joshua Jung – Oboe – Vanderbilt University
Jason Xu – Saxophone – University of Michigan
Eli Wyatt – Saxophone – University of Texas at Austin
Nicholas Peterson-Hunt – Trumpet – Rice University
Jennelle Williams – French Horn – Eastman School of Music
Alex Parker – Trombone – University of North Texas
Ally Hansen – Tuba – Vanderbilt University
Chance Park – Percussion – Eastman School of Music
Elijah Marrewa – Drum Set – University of North Texas
Ashley Ryoo – Cello – Northwestern University
Adrian King – Piano – The Juilliard School

The 2026 YYPA Honorable Mentions:

Christopher Dechant – Clarinet – The Juilliard School
Joshua So – Oboe – Eastman School of Music
Jason Johnson – Saxophone – Vanderbilt University
Jade Park – Trumpet – The Juilliard School
Luke Young – Trumpet – Berklee College of Music
Joey Barnhouse – Tuba – Baldwin Wallace University
Will McCoy – Percussion – Florida State University
Katherine Chernyak – Viola – Bard Conservatory
Jacqueline Kaminski – Cello – Baldwin Wallace University
Celine Chen – Piano – University of Southern California

The YYPA program has been an essential platform for Yamaha to engage with and celebrate young, talented musicians. This competition has honored more than 300 outstanding artists, many of whom have built successful careers as performers and educators. Notable past winners include Alexa Tarantino, saxophonist with The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra; Carol Jantsch, Principal Tubist of The Philadelphia Orchestra; and Paul Cornish, Blue Note Recording Artist and pianist with Joshua Redman. 

The 2026 YYPA winners will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the YYPA Celebration Weekend happening from June 20 to 23, 2026. This event aligns with the Bands of America Summer Camp at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, running from June 20 to 27, 2026. The guest artist for the 2026 YYPA Celebration Weekend will be internationally acclaimed trumpet soloist, educator, and Yamaha Artist José Sibaja.

The winners will perform for a unique audience, receive national media coverage, and participate in workshops to launch their professional music careers. Additionally, the 2026 winners will benefit from services and support from Yamaha Artist Relations, including professional audio and video recordings and photography of their live performances. This exceptional experience promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the winners to establish themselves within the music industry.

To learn more about the Yamaha Young Performing Artists Program and the winners, visit yamaha.io/YYPA2026.

Contact:
Diana Moeck
Yamaha
Public Relations
dmoeck@yamaha.com

ABOUT YAMAHA
Yamaha Corporation of America is the largest subsidiary of Yamaha Corporation, the world-leading music and sound company based in Hamamatsu, Japan. The Yamaha team is committed to helping everyone progress, express and connect through music and sound. We offer innovative, finely crafted, award-winning products for your entire musical journey including pianos, brass instruments, woodwinds, strings, electronic keyboards, guitars, drums, professional and home audio equipment.

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SOURCE Yamaha