Sendai International Music Competition Awards Prizewinners

Open to violinists born on or after January 1st, 1992, the Sendai International Music Competition concluded this past weekend in Sendai, Japan. As its first prize winner, Lina Nakano will receive USD $28,850, a CD Production, concert opportunities with the Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra or other major orchestras in Japan, plus solo recital appearances in Japan. At age just 14, she won first prize in the 13 to 16-Year-Old Age Category of China's Zhuhai Mozart Competition.

Joint second prize in Sendai went to Dennis Gasanov of Russia and Tianyou Ma of China. While no third prize was given, Seonglan Hong received fourth, Miyu Kitsuwa received fifth, and Yukino Nakamura received sixth prize.

The special jury prize, awarded to the contestant who doesn't qualify for the Final Round but shows exceptional talent, went to Seina Matsuoka. The audience prize, given to contestants who were most voted on by the audience each day of the Semifinal Round, went to Christine Wu, Lina Nakano, and Yukino Nakamura.

Presented by the Sendai International Music Competition Organizing Committee, City of Sendai, and Sendai Cultural Foundation, previous first prize winners include Alena Baeva, Clara Jumi Kang, and VC Artists Richard Lin and Yoojin Jang.

The 2022 jury comprised Yuzuko Horigome (Chairman), Masafumi Hori, Boris Belkin, Gregory Ahss, Olivier Charlier, Yuki Manuela Janke, Masao Kawasaki, Young-Uck Kim, Gidon Kremer, Cho-Liang Lin, Joel Smirnoff, and Yasushi Toyoshima.