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Three Eastman School of Music students have been named winners of the 2025 Yamaha Young Performing Artists competition.
The program honors young musicians studying in the United States who demonstrate excellence in jazz, classical and contemporary genres. In total, 11 students earned the honor.
Saxophonist Zachary Costello, percussionist Kai Gray, and pianist Yanzuo Nicole Liu from Eastman are among the winners. Pianist Christopher Yao received an honorable mention.
A graduate student, Costello uses his music to foster cultural dialogue through performance. He aims to bridge the gap between performers and their audiences. Liu, who started playing piano at the age of 5, moved from China to the United States to study with Ignat Solzhenitsyn and Ching-Yun Hu. A Julliard School graduate, Liu is pursuing a master’s in music at Eastman. Percussionist Gray is in his second year of undergraduate studies. Originally from Japan, he is an active ensemble musician.
“Each of the 2025 Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition Winners are extraordinarily unique and gifted,” says John Wittmann, associate vice president of artist relations at Yamaha. “The real magic happens when they come together and perform their chosen works, including some original pieces for the exuberant audience at the Bands of America Summer Camp in June.”
Each applicant with skills in brass, wind, string, percussion, and piano submitted a video audition and supporting materials for consideration. A panel of Yamaha artists, experts and national celebrity musicians determined the winners, which along with Eastman included students from the Julliard School, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Berklee College of Music, and universities and colleges like Vanderbilt University and Shoreline Community College.
“The YYPA winners have earned this recognition and will never forget this once-in-a-lifetime musical experience,” Wittman says. “Yamaha remains committed to music education, and we will continue to help guide young music makers into rewarding careers. The YYPA Program is exciting and deeply fulfilling to us.”
So far, the contest has honored 300 musicians. Past winners include Leelanee Sterrett, horn of the New York Philharmonic; Paul Cornish, Blue Note recording artist and pianist with Joshua Redman; and Matthew Ross, second flute with the National Symphony Orchestra.
The 2025 YYPA winners will participate in a celebration weekend in June. They will perform in front of an audience and receive support offered by Yamaha Artist Relations, including professional audio and video recordings, as well as photography of their live performances.
Smriti Jacob is Rochester Beacon managing editor.
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