Young Virtuosos Shine: National Piano & Violin Competition Announces 2025 Winners

Singapore, 1 December 2025 – 26 young musicians were awarded prizes at the National Piano & Violin Competition (NPVC) 2025 which concluded on 30 November. Organised every two years by the Singapore Symphony Group with the support of the National Arts Council, the Prize Presentation Ceremony at the Victoria Concert Hall was graced by Ms Goh Swee Chen, Chairman of the National Arts Council.

This year’s competition attracted over 200 applicants, with 105 shortlisted participants performing before a panel of international adjudicators featuring Ashley Wass, Noriko Ogawa, and Ran Jia for piano, and Kaoru Kondo, Mira Wang and Erik Heide for violin. The Senior rounds, for participants aged 21 years and under, and the Artist rounds, for those 25 years and under, featured commissioned set pieces from Singaporean composer Koh Cheng Jin.

Piano adjudicator Ashley Wass observed: “Experiencing such artistry in a beautiful hall has been a privilege, and the performances reflect the strong pedagogical presence in Singapore. I congratulate the teachers for their exemplary work and commend the pianists for growing into wiser, more well-rounded musicians through this competition.”

Violin adjudicator Mira Wang noted: “What a wonderful opportunity the Singapore Symphony Group has created for Singapore’s young string talents. Their dedication and artistry shine on stage, and I wish them every success as they grow.”

Audience participation played a key role through the new Christopher & Rosy Ho Audience Prizes, with two S$5,000 awards for the most outstanding Piano and Violin finalists as voted by the public and adjudicators. The Artist Category’s first prize winners were presented to Toby Tan Kai Rong (Piano) and Ernest Syu (Violin), alongside the Audience Prize recipients, Toby Tan Kai Rong (Piano) and Wu Yueer Angela (Violin).

This competition is generously supported by Christopher and Rosy Ho. Established in 1997 by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the National Arts Council, the biennial NPVC stands as Singapore’s premier classical music competition, offering young musicians a platform for excellence and exposure.

The top three winners in each category received certificates, cash prizes of up to S$5,000, and eco-friendly trophies.

WINNERS – PIANO CATEGORY

Junior (11 years & below)
1st prize winner: Angelina Xi Yuxi
2nd prize winner: Enzio Lim Yue Tong
Joint 3rd prize winners: Ham Jia Le Harry, Zhao Ziwen
Honourable Mention: Theodore Penn Hur

Intermediate (15 years & below)
2nd prize winner: Ma Chun Yin Phyllis
3rd prize winner: Ooi Yi Kai

Senior (21 years & below)
2nd prize winner: Tong Yong Kang
3rd prize winner: Tong Yong Jian

Artist (25 years & below)
1st prize winner: Toby Tan Kai Rong
2nd prize winner: Goh Kai Cheng
3rd prize winner: Chen Xing-Chi

Christopher & Rosy Ho Audience Prize Winner
Toby Tan Kai Rong

WINNERS – VIOLIN CATEGORY

Junior (11 years & below)
1st prize winner: Wu Yueer Angela
2nd prize winner: Khew Jing Kai Kaden
3rd prize winner: Wu Yifan
Honourable Mention: Wong Jun Bin Maximus

Intermediate (15 years & below)
Joint 1st prize winners: Cathy Chen Xi, Sophia Ann Fang
3rd prize winner: Asher Ng An Sheng
Honourable Mention: Mason Chua Yukai

Senior (21 years & below)
1st prize winner: Low Peng Yang
2nd prize winner: Kaleb Toh Yi Chao
3rd prize winner: Isabel Heng Ai Ping

Artist (25 years & below)
1st prize winner: Ernest Syu
Joint 2nd prize winners: Low Peng Guan, Madeline Goh Anyi

Christopher & Rosy Ho Audience Prize Winner
Wu Yueer Angela

Full competition results here and finals replay here. For more information, visit sso.org.sg. Pictures can be downloaded at this link.