On September 20, the New England Philharmonic welcomed an impressive group of young musicians for its 2026 Young Artist Competition. We are delighted to announce this year’s results: cellist Jasper Ji is our competition winner, with three additional musicians—pianist and composer Elon Du-Chang, cellist Gabriel Jojatu, and pianist Ezra Lewis—receiving Honorable Mentions.
These four young artists have already accomplished remarkable things in their musical journeys. Their interests span solo performance, orchestral playing, chamber music, and original composition, offering a wonderful glimpse of the talent and imagination shaping the next generation of classical musicians.
We are pleased to introduce this year’s honorees.
Jasper Ji — Competition Winner
Cello
Jasper Ji began his musical journey at age five and has since developed an impressive record as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral performer. He studies cello with Professor Andrew Mark of Boston Conservatory at Berklee.
His recent honors include First Prize at the 2025 Geneva Junior Music Competition and First Prize at the state level of the 2025 Opus Competition in the Junior Strings division. In 2026, he received Second Prize at the national level of the Opus Competition.
Chamber music is also an important part of Jasper’s musical life. He currently participates in the Chamber Music Intensive Performance Seminar at the New England Conservatory Preparatory School. In 2024, his piano trio won First Prize in the Junior Division of the Ninth International Chamber Music Ensemble Competition organized by the New England Chamber Music Foundation and earned the Bronze Medal across all divisions.
Jasper joined the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras’ Petite Ensemble in 2020 and now performs with its most advanced ensemble, the Boston Youth Symphony. At the orchestra’s 2026–27 season-opening concert, he served as principal cellist in Sibelius’s Symphony No. 2.
An eighth grader at The Meadowbrook School of Weston, Jasper enjoys soccer, speedcubing, collecting Pokémon cards, reading, and writing outside of music.
Hear Jasper perform with the NEP! Jasper will appear as a soloist at the orchestra's Family Concert on December 6, 2026, performing the first movement of Dmitri Shostakovich's Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, Op. 107. We look forward to welcoming him to the stage and sharing his musicianship with our audiences.
Congratulations, Jasper, on this wonderful achievement!
Elon Du-Chang — Honorable Mention
Piano and Composition | Age 10
Elon Du-Chang is a pianist and composer whose interests encompass both performing music and creating it.
He has won First Prizes in several international competitions, with performance opportunities at venues including Carnegie Hall, Boston Symphony Hall, the Berlin Philharmonie, and the Mozarteum in Salzburg. In 2026, he received First Prizes in the Steinway Society of Massachusetts Piano Competition, the Chopin International Piano Competition in Connecticut, and the Massachusetts State Piano Competition, among others.
Elon studies composition with Professor Michael Gandolfi, Chair of Composition at New England Conservatory. His original music has received recognition through the MTNA Composition Competition and the Tribeca Young Composer Competition, and several of his works have been premiered by musicians in Boston.
When he is not at the piano or working on a new piece, Elon enjoys chess, challenging math problems, tennis, golf, and inventing games with friends.
We are delighted to recognize Elon’s achievements as both a performer and a young composer.
Gabriel Jojatu — Honorable Mention
Cello | Age 16
Gabriel Jojatu has earned recognition in several competitive musical settings, including First Prize in Category C of the NEC Concerto Competition and Third Place in the Boston Symphony Orchestra Competition.
He has performed with the Longwood Symphony Orchestra and NEC Youth Symphony Orchestra. His summer programs have included Morningside Music Bridge and Yellow Barn YAP in 2026, as well as the Meadowmount School of Music in 2025. We congratulate Gabriel on his accomplishments and are pleased to recognize his musical work with an Honorable Mention.
Ezra Lewis — Honorable Mention
Piano | Age 15
Ezra Lewis has studied piano for ten years and has already experienced several notable milestones as a performer. At age 11, he appeared and was interviewed on NPR’s From the Top. At 14, he made his Carnegie Hall debut as a soloist.
More recently, Ezra performed as a soloist with the Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra after winning its Concerto Competition. He studies with Dr. Jonathan Bass at the New England Conservatory of Music.
Congratulations to Ezra on this recognition of his musicianship and dedication.
Thank You to Our Judges
The Young Artist Competition depends on the time, expertise, and thoughtful evaluation of its judges. We are grateful to this year’s distinguished panel for helping us recognize and celebrate these young musicians.
Klaudia Szlachta, Boston University Lecturer in Music and Director of the Violin Workshop at BU Tanglewood Institute, is an award-winning violinist and educator who has performed internationally. A champion of contemporary music, she has performed works by composers including Luciano Berio and Elliott Carter.
Cobus du Toit, Associate Chair and Associate Professor of Flute at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, is an internationally acclaimed flutist who has appeared as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States and abroad. He is also a strong advocate for contemporary music.
Eliko Akahori, Senior Music Performance Faculty in Piano and Director of the Music Performance Program at Wellesley College, is a pianist, chamber musician, and educator. Her background in composition and music theory informs her approach to repertoire spanning many periods, with particular interests in Mozart and 20th-century music.
We also thank NEP Music Director Tianhui Ng for his involvement in the competition.
Eliko Akahori, Cobus du Toit, Klaudia Szlachta, and Tainhui Ng.
Celebrating Young Musicians
At the New England Philharmonic, our commitment to musical discovery extends beyond the concert stage. Supporting emerging composers and celebrating young performers are important ways we help sustain a vibrant musical community.
As NEP celebrates its 50th anniversary season in 2026–27, we are especially pleased to recognize these four young artists and the dedication that has brought them to this point in their musical journeys.
Please join us in congratulating Jasper Ji, Elon Du-Chang, Gabriel Jojatu, and Ezra Lewis!
Learn more about the New England Philharmonic and our 50th anniversary season at nephilharmonic.org.