My wonderful student Charlotte Ngo has been awarded the Rising Star Award at the 2025 Emerging Artists Competition, hosted by the La Jolla Symphony & Chorus.
This distinguished competition is open to instrumentalists and vocalists under the age of 30 from across San Diego County and Baja California. There is no division into age groups. Out of 28 instrumental contestants this year, Charlotte stands out not only for her artistry but also for being the youngest award recipient—just 12 years old. The rest of the winners range from ages 17 to 28. With this win, Charlotte has the privilege of performing in a big beautiful venue – Conrad Prebys Music Center.