Ascend. CYMC International Music Festival &Competition
In the summer of 2025, the California Youth Music Competition (CYMC) will mark a new milestone through an esteemed partnership with the Ascend International Music Festival — bringing forth an event of exceptional artistic caliber and global vision for aspiring young musicians. This collaboration represents more than a competition; it is a celebration of musical integrity, offering participants the opportunity to be heard and mentored by a distinguished panel of world-renowned pedagogues, conservatory professors, and international jury members from the highest ranks of the classical music world.
CYMC NEWS
🏆 Winners of the First Prize at the 2025 CYMC in-person competition at Pomona College (August 9) will be granted direct entry into the Final Round of the Ascend.CYMC International Online Music Competition. This prestigious opportunity allows young musicians to be evaluated by a world-class jury panel and perform on an international stage.
The 2025 jury includes:
• Jury member of the ARD International Music Competition in Munich
• Professors from the Leipzig University of Music and the Colburn School (USA)
• Laureates of the Queen Elisabeth Piano Competition
• Jury member of the Chopin International Piano Competition
• Violin faculty at the Hamburg University of Music and Theatre
CYMC is proud to offer young musicians an exceptional artistic platform at the highest international level.
Ascend. CYMC International Music Festival
Ascend. CYMC International Music Festival
About Ascend. CYMC International Music Festival&Competition
The 2025 Ascend.CYMC International Music Festival is a premier summer platform for outstanding young musicians from across China and around the globe. Under the esteemed artistic direction of Tatjana Masurenko—celebrated viola virtuoso and jury member of the ARD International Music Competition—the festival assembles an elite faculty of world-renowned artists to deliver a transformative educational and performance experience.
Guided by our signature “Stage Empowerment Training Framework”, the festival seamlessly integrates three pillars essential to modern musical excellence: advanced performance development, immersive stage application, and intellectual-musical expansion. This comprehensive system nurtures not only technical command, but also expressive artistry and professional stage readiness.
The 2025 edition features an expansive structure, including:
• International Online & On-site Music Competition Rounds
• World-Class Masterclasses & One-on-One Mentorship
• Structured Ensemble Rehearsals & Artistic Collaborations
• Stage Readiness Coaching & Live Performance Showcases
In collaboration with top-tier young artists from China’s professional scene, our faculty will offer intensive guidance that transcends conventional training. The program targets vital yet often underdeveloped dimensions of musical growth, including stage presence, improvisational freedom, performance psychology, and efficient practice methodology.
Ascend. CYMC International Online Music Competition Awards
• Adult Group (18+)
• 1st Prize: $ 840 Cash + Study Abroad Scholarship, Trophy & Certificate of Honor
• 2nd Prize: $420 Cash + Study Abroad Scholarship,Trophy & Certificate of Honor
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3rd Prize: $140 Cash + Study Abroad Scholarship ,Trophy & Certificate of Honor
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Teen Group (13-17)
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1st Prize: $700 + Study Abroad Scholarship , Trophy & Certificate of Honor
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2nd Prize: $420 + Study Abroad Scholarship , Trophy & Certificate of Honor
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3rd Prize: $140 + Study Abroad Scholarship , Trophy & Certificate of Honor
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Children Group (6–12)
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1st Prize: $280 ,Trophy & Certificate of Honor
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2nd Prize: $140 ,Trophy & Certificate of Honor
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3rd Prize: $70 , Trophy & Certificate of Honor
Honorable Mentions:
Multiple recipients will receive a Certificate of Honor, commemorative gift, and one complimentary study abroad consultation session.
Special Awards:
Including “Best Performance Award” and “Most Promising Talent Award”—recipients will receive a Certificate of Honor and corresponding prizes.
Jury Members:
The 2025 Ascend.CYMC
Music Festival and Competition
Tatjana Masurenko
Artist Director, Ascend. CYMC International Music Festival & Competition
• Jury member of the prestigious ARD International Music Competition in Munich, Germany
• Professor at the University of Music and Theatre Leipzig (Germany) and the Colburn School (USA)
• Winner, Opus Klassik Award (Germany)
• Sony Classical recording artist
• Violin professor, Hamburg University of Music and Theatre
• Acclaimed soloist who has collaborated with top-tier orchestras including the Berlin Philharmonic
Niklas Liepe
Ewa Kupiec
• Jury member at leading competitions including the ARD International Music Competition (Germany), Busoni Competition (Italy), and Beethoven Competition in Bonn (Germany)
• Professor of Piano at the Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media
• Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts
• Top Prize Winner of the ARD International Music Competition in Munich
• Prizewinner at numerous international piano competitions including the Queen Elisabeth, Schubert, Kissingen, Seoul, and Beethoven piano Competitions
• Professor at the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University (USA)
Chi Ho Han
Empower
Growth
As the 2025 Ascend.CYMC International Music Festival will be held at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music in China, we are pleased to offer exclusive services in Chinese.
For detailed information about the festival, masterclasses, and our world-class international music competition, please scan the QR code below:
Ascend.CYMC Music Festival and Competition WeChat Registration Portal (Chinese Version)
Ascend.CYMC Music Festival
WeChat Registration Portal (Chinese Version)
