Advanced Division Finalists

Eric Chan, Cello
Concerto No. 1, Mvt 4
Dmitri Shostakovich
Private teacher: Olga Ruvinov

Eric Chan is a sophomore at Newport High School. He began playing cello at the age of four, and has studied under Olga Ruvinov since 2019. He is also coached by collaborative pianist Dr. Li-Tan Hsu.

A winner of numerous competitions, Eric performed as a soloist at Carnegie Hall after winning First Prize in the American Protégé International Concerto Competition. He also won First Prize and was recognized as one of the top 15 performers at the Charleston International Music Competition, earned Grand Prix Alternate at the Russian Chamber Music Concerto Competition, was awarded First Alternate at the Eastshore Region Solo and Ensemble Festival, and has received multiple First Prize awards at the Performing Arts Festival of the Eastside.

An active orchestral musician, Eric is entering his sixth year with SYSO and is a part of Newport’s Chamber Orchestra. Through both solo and ensemble performances, he continues to develop his passion for music.

Outside of cello, Eric enjoys playing golf and reading.

Lucas Robshaw, Violin
Carmen Fantasie
Pablo de Sarasate
Private teacher: Marjorie Talvi

I started to play violin soon after my family moved to Seattle from France. Since then, I have played in the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra (SYSO) academic program, enjoying the roles of concertmaster of Symphonette, Debut, Junior, and Youth Symphony Orchestras over the years. I was accepted for the Spring 2024 session of the Seattle Chamber Music Society Academy (SCMS Academy) during which my piano quintet performed live on King FM. In 2024 and 2005, I attended the Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI) Violin Workshops, and in 2026 I was accepted as a Violin Major to attend the inaugural Juilliard Summer Music at The Juilliard School in New York. I received a Distinction from the UK Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) for my 2023 submission to the highest ABRSM Grade-level Violin Performance exam, I was a finalist in the 2025 SYSO Concerto Competition, and I was awarded a Winner prize in the Classical Music/Violin category of the 2025 YoungArts National Arts Competition. I’m currently working on a wide range of pieces from the solo repertoire and I enjoy frequent opportunities to play with other musicians and friends in orchestras and chamber music ensembles.

Madelyn Huang, Violin
Violin Concerto, Op. 47, I. Allegro Moderato
Jean Sibelius
Private teacher: Simon James

Madelyn Huang, 17, is currently studying with Simon James in the Coleman Violin Studio. In 2026, she earned 2nd place in the solo violin category at the State Solo and Ensemble Competition and was invited to the SYAMFA Concerto Playoffs. She also attended the Bowdoin International Music Festival, where she studied with Renee Jolles.

Nathaniel Kim, Cello
Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85, Mvt 4
Edward Elgar
Private teacher: Sungmee Lee

Nathaniel, a 14-year-old cellist with perfect pitch and profound musicality, has practically grown up within the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras (SYSO) family. SYSO has been his true musical home since age eight, when he first joined SYSO Summer Music. Over the years, he has progressed step-by-step through every orchestra level from Prelude String Orchestra all the way to the flagship Youth Symphony Orchestra. SYSO has served as the bedrock of his artistic development, shaping him into a proud, dedicated musician and collaborative leader.

Studying under Sungmee Lee, Nathaniel expanded his training at the Seattle Conservatory of Music and the Seattle Chamber Music Society Youth Academy, and is also a proud member of HYSO. He is a first-prize winner at prestigious competitions worldwide, including the Vancouver, Elite, and New York International Music Competitions, and is recognized locally by KMA, PAFE, and SYAMFA. His musicianship has brought him to world-renowned stages, highlighted by a solo debut at Carnegie Hall, performances at DiMenna Center, Benaroya Hall, and a featured soloist appearance at McCaw Hall.

In addition to his performance schedule, Nathaniel is committed to community service, bringing the joy of music to local senior living residents through monthly performances.

Timothy Yu, Violin
Zigeunerweisen, Op. 20
Pablo de Sarasate
Private teacher: Ronald Patterson

Timothy Yu, 13-year-old, began his violin studies with his mother, Gloria Guo, at the age of five and has been studying with retired UW professor Ronald Patterson since 2022.

In 2020, he joined the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra. As concertmaster of the Symphonette Orchestra group during the 2022-23 season, Timothy demonstrated strong leadership skills and contributed significantly to the ensemble’s success.

In 2024, Timothy distinguished himself by winning the Portland Chamber Orchestra’s Under-18 Violin Competition. He was also a Grand Prix winner in the 3rd Annual Bellevue Symphony Concerto Competition 2025. In 2026, he received recognition from numerous competitions, including the Olympia Symphony Orchestra’s Young Artists Competition, the Seattle Symphony’s Young Artist Auditions, and the Seattle Young Artists Music Festival Association’s playoff. To gain deeper guidance in music, he attended the Heifetz Summer Program in the summer of 2026.

He has performed in masterclasses with professors Michi Wiancko, Mimi Zweig, David Perry, Ani Kavafian, Rebacca Henry, Li-Mei Liang, Keng-Ming Tsai, Chia-Hong Drapal Liao, Igor Petrushevski, Nicholas Kitchen, and violinist Angela Bae.

Timothy will be in the eighth grade at the International School in September 2026. He is also an avid reader and enjoys playing badminton, video games, and traveling.