Sixteen-year-old violinist Mingzhe Ye won first prize at the 2026 Cooper International Competition, according to announcements from Oberlin College and Conservatory and The Violin Channel. The event, which concluded in Oberlin, Ohio, awarded Ye $20,000 USD along with a comprehensive prize package featuring performance opportunities and scholarship support.
Competition Results and Prize Details
Following the final round where three finalists performed complete concertos alongside the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra under conductor David Danzmayr, the jury finalized the standings. Elizabeth Poppy Song, also 16 years old, secured second place and a $10,000 prize, according to The Violin Channel. Minji Choi claimed third place, receiving $5,000.
The top three finalists earned full four-year tuition scholarships to the Oberlin Conservatory, pending admission, alongside performance opportunities with the Bar Harbor Music Festival. According to Oberlin College and Conservatory, fourth, fifth, and sixth prizes of $1,500 each went to Emrik Revermann in fourth place, followed by Hyunsuk Ryu and Jiye Kang, who tied for fifth place.
The first-place prize package for Mingzhe Ye includes several professional development opportunities. Ye received the two-year loan of a fine violin from Jonathan Solars Violins, a future performance engagement with the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra during their 2027-28 or 2028-29 season, a $500 Arkady Fomin Scholarship Fund Opportunity Award from the North Shore Chamber Music Festival, and a lesson with ProMusica Creative Partner Vadim Gluzman, as reported by The Violin Channel.
Background and Training of Mingzhe Ye
Born in Beijing in 2010, Mingzhe Ye began studying the violin at age four under teacher Hou Cuijun, according to biographical details reported by The Violin Channel. He later pursued advanced studies with Professor Zhang Ti. At age nine, he gained admission to the Primary School affiliated with the Central Conservatory of Music, subsequently studying under U.S.-educated Chinese violinist Jiazhi Wang.
Prior to his victory at the Cooper International Competition, Ye accumulated international competition experience. At age 13, he won first prize at the Ysaÿe International Music Competition in Belgium. His resume also includes recognitions from the Hong Kong International Chamber Music Competition, the Barletta International Competition for Young Musical Artists, the Massa International Young Music Competition, the Belgian International Jean-Pierre Rampal Competition, the Andrea Postacchini International Violin Competition, and the Korea Incheon International Music Competition.
Competition Structure and Adjudication
The Thomas and Evon Cooper International Competition alternates years between violin and piano divisions, inviting musicians aged 13 to 18 who have not yet enrolled in college. The 2026 competition ran from August 6 through August 10, with preliminary and semifinal rounds hosted in Oberlin Conservatory’s Warner Concert Hall and streamed live on oberlin.edu and The Violin Channel.
The 2026 jury panel consisted of Sibbi Bernhardsson, Jinjoo Cho, Scott Mello, Ami Oike, and Qian Zhou. Past violin laureates of the competition include Sirena Huang, Johan Dalene, and Seohyun Kim.