Astral Artists Announces 2023 National Competition Winners

The seven young winners will receive career development opportunities, as well as concert engagements, mentoring, and more

Astral Artists recently named the young artists who have won its National Competition for 2023, who will therefore be added to the organization's roster. Based in Philadelphia, Astral Artists is a nonprofit intensive mentoring program that assists and supports young musicians in establishing their careers.

In 2023, the competition examined candidates in low voice, chamber ensembles, strings, percussion, and piano. They progressed through three application rounds before attending a live audition in Philadelphia in front of industry-leading musicians, managers, conductors, and presenters.

As part of their prize, the winning musicians receive career development mentorship, a portfolio of promotion assets, innovative performance opportunities, community engagement opportunities, artistic exploration, and the opportunity to network with top professionals in the field.

In 2023, the winners were the LA-based ensemble Astral Mixtape, pianists Sylvia Jiang, Eunbi Kim, and Priscila Navarro, baritone Nathaniel Sullivan, cellist Luiz Fernando Venturelli, and harpist Noël Wan.

"We are grateful to the performers, conductors, and industry experts who made up our competition panel this year," said Lourdes Starr, Astral's president and CEO. "Astral’s 31-year history provides deep connections to some of the most active, innovative, and impactful musicians who understand the ever-changing arts and culture industry."

"We are thrilled to welcome these new Artists to our roster, and provide them with opportunities to expand their artistry, connect with audiences, and craft purposeful and sustainable careers. We had an unprecedented number of outstanding candidates apply this spring. Because of the abundance of exceptional artists selected to join the roster in the 23/24 season, Astral will be postponing next year's auditions to the 24/25 season.”