Gifted Youth USA #FluteElite Competition 2025 – Recap

The first-ever Gifted Youth USA FluteElite Competition was a smashing success! Flutists were pouring in the door—Flute Elite indeed. We featured 16 soloists and 15 ensemble members (across three groups), representing seven Bay Area flute teachers.

The level of playing was spektakulär—a powerful mix of classical concerto repertoire and dazzling modern works. Mozart, Stamitz, Devienne stood proudly alongside Griffes’ Poem and Fantasies by Hue and Fauré.

In the solo division, the Grand Prize was split between two outstanding performers:

🎉 Cristopher Nuñez, who gave an impeccable performance of Chaminade’s Concertino

🎉 Kevin Zhang, who brought down the house with Saint-Saëns’ Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso

Each received $500, and both study with Ráyo Furuta, who was in the audience—beaming with pride.

Honorable Mentions went to:

• Apurva Sistla (Hue Serenade, class of Teresa Orozco)

• Xiwen Liang (Mozart in G, 1st movement, class of Lance Suzuki)

• Caren Ho (Devienne Concerto No. 7, class of Gala Yaroshevsky)

In the ensemble division, the Kuhlau Quartet (students of Teresa Orozco) took home the $500 prize with a beautifully unified performance.

Judge Brittany Trotter, Judge Dawn Walker, Ensemble Winner Apurva Sistla, Gala Yaroshevsky, Ensemble Winner Ranton Hui, First Prize Split Winners Kevin Zhang and Cristopher Nuñez.

We were honored to have two remarkable judges:

🎓 Dawn Walker, principal flute of the Monterey Symphony

🎓 Dr. Brittany Trotter, professor, soloist, and prize-winning artist

Both brought deep expertise and fairness to the judging—and judging by the performances and their feedback, they were truly impressed.

Adding a fun and meaningful twist, two Junior Judges were selected from our studio’s own whimsical competition, Luna and Her Magic Flute. Students had to perform their musical roles with not just polish, but great character and theatrical flair.

🌟 Vrinda K. (The Train) and Nimisha I. (The Dragon) earned the roles—and presented the GOAT (Gala’s Orange Award Trophy) to Anna Proskuryakova, the performer they most admired and wanted to support. A beautiful gesture from one generation of flutists to another.

We are so grateful to all who participated—and especially to our donors and supporters. Events like this only happen when people believe in our mission as strongly as we do. So, if that’s you… thank you. You know who you are.

And for all our new friends—please donate.

✨ Give us some breathing room so we can blow your minds. ✨

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