MSYO holds an annual Concerto Competition in December and the winner(s) will be selected to perform a concerto movement or work for soloist and orchestra on the MSYO Spring Concert and the MSYO Sit-Along Concert. The concerto must be on your orchestral instrument, memorized, and your audition should be accompanied by a pianist. The competition will be judged by professional musicians who do not work regularly with the auditioning candidates. Students will receive constructive feedback from the judges. (Participants must be members of MSYO for one year or longer and the competition is not open to the previous year’s winners.)
Sydney Li-Jenkins, violin
Sydney is 13 years old and the Co-concertmaster of MSYO. She began violin at age 3 and
studies with Elbert Tsai at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Her solo debut
was as concerto winner with the Mill Valley Philharmonic in February 2024. Her awards include Honorable Mention in the prestigious and highly competitive
Sphinx Competition, Pacific Music Society, KAMSA, ENKOR International Music Competition,
International Youth Music Competition, and US Open Music Competition. She is three-time recipient of
Marin Music Chest scholarship, and has been selected to perform over multiple years at the Junior Bach
Festival. Sydney has performed in masterclasses for prominent
classical musicians such as Jessie Montgomery, Danielle Belen, and Simone Porter. Sydney also enjoys math, embroidery, and lead singing in her school’s musical.
at the Family Concert
2022-23 Winners:
Marin Symphony Family Concert and Symphony Day performer:
Jesse Chi, trumpet, Arutunian Trumpet Concerto
MSYO Concerto Soloists – Spring Concert:
Dheyan Lim, violin, Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in e minor, Op. 64 1st movement
Micaela Schillinger-Hyman, violin, Bruch Violin Concerto in g minor, Op. 26 1st movement
Marin Symphony Family Concert and Symphony Day performer:
Jesse Chi, trumpet, Arutunian Trumpet Concerto
MSYO Concerto Soloists – Spring Concert:
Dheyan Lim, violin, Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in e minor, Op. 64 1st movement
Micaela Schillinger-Hyman, violin, Bruch Violin Concerto in g minor, Op. 26 1st movement