2026 International Forum Participants announced

We are pleased to announce the first 39 scholarship recipients for the WFIMC 2026 Forum “Inspiring the Future.” These selected artists were chosen from 132 applications and will receive travel to Lithuania, accommodation, and full conference fees; a few additional recipients will be confirmed as further invitations and sponsorships are finalized.

Among the selected scholars inferred genders are 19 men and 20 women. The largest national contingents come from South Korea and Germany, followed by Austria and Spain. Instrumentally, the group is led by pianists and violinists, with strong representation from conductors, cellists and composers. Many of the artists have previously won prizes at WFIMC member competitions.

All participants will have the opportunity to perform during the Forum and to participate in an “artistic project” pitching session. The best project will receive a EUR 3,000 prize, alongside other opportunities for mentorship, collaboration and visibility. Congratulations to those selected — we look forward to the creativity and dialogue they will bring as we explore programming, audience engagement and new performance formats. Further participant announcements will follow as remaining scholarships are confirmed.

WFIMC 2026 FORUM « INSPIRING THE FUTURE »
SELECTED SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
 

Ablonczy, Bertalan, (Organ) 
Adamyan, Diana (Violin)
Ahn Yeo Ryeong (Conducting)
Baek Youngjune (Bass)
Beyers, Laure-Catherine (Soprano)
Broberg, Kenneth (Piano) 
Chisato, Tsuzuki (Piano)
Dong, Chao (Conducting)
Dragan, Sara (Violin)
Grigoryan, Artur (Piano)
Johnson, Carter (Piano)
Joui, Karr Francisco (Cello) 
Jung, Jinwook (Composition) 
Kang, Hyelee (Piano)
Kanki, Hikaru (Piano)
Karls, Lorenz (Violin)
Kazakov, Mikhail (Saxophone)
Kelly, Thomas (Piano) 
Kim, Olivia Hyoyeon (Harp) 
Kim, Hyunseo (Violin)
Kim, Shin (Composition)
Knutson, Cole (Piano)
Lee, Dahwan (Baritone)
Lee, Jeri (Cello)
Lee, Youjin (Violin)
Leem, Seonghyeon (Piano)
Lim, Jeeyoung (Baritone) 
Mashita, Rika (Piano)
Melo Constança (Soprano)
Oberhofer, Muriel (Violin) 
Oh, Yeontaek (Piano)
Ostojić ,Ana Piano Vienna
Park, Jongsung Clarinet 
Saparayeva, Saida Violin 
Shin, Kyungsik (Viola)
Shmukler, Ilya (Piano)
Taniguchi, Ayaka (Viola) 
Zemach, Shira (Violin) 
Zhang Xunyue (Violin) 
Zhang, Zhiqiao (Piano)

Subject to Change
©WFIMC 2026