The Clear Lake Symphony held its annual Youth Concerto Competition on January 17, 2026 for young artists from Houston area high schools, junior highs, and elementary schools. The winners will be provided with a scholarship and the opportunity to perform with the Symphony at the March 27, 2026 concert. A total of fifty eight (58) contestants participated in the 2026 competition.
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Carl Rubly (Piano) Winner, Junior Piano Division
Prokofiev – “Piano Concerto No. 1 in Db Major”
Carl is the son of Carl and Madina Rubly. He is currently in 9th grade (age 14) at Second Baptist School in Houston, TX. He has studied piano for 10 years. Teachers: John & Nancy Weems.
Carl’s musical achievements are:
• 1st in TMSTA State contest 2025
• Gold Medalist Houston Chopin Competition 2023
• Piano Texas Alumni 2025
Carl is a straight A Honor Roll student who enjoys ping-pong, chess, fishing, and reading.
Andrew Nan (Piano) Winner, Senior Piano Division
MacDowell – “Piano Concerto No. 2 in D Minor, Mvt. 1”
Andrew is the son of Jenny Liu and Rundong Nan. He is 15 years old and currently in 10th grade at Stephen F. Austin High School in Houston ISD. He has studied piano for 10 years. Teachers: John & Nancy Weems.
Andrew’s musical achievements are:
• 1st Place 2024 TMTA 8th Category Solo Piano
• 2026 Grand Prize, Juanita Miller Concerto Competition
• Honorable Mention 2025 MTNA Piano Senior
Andrew enjoys classical music, reading, biking, sleeping, video games and medicine.
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Chaewon Yu (Cello), Winner, Junior String Division
Dvorak – “Cello Concerto in B Minor Minor, Mvt. III”
Chaewon is the daughter of Jungyup, Jeongwon An. She is in the 8th grade (age 13) at Fort Settlement Middle School in the Fort Bend ISD. She has studied cello for 7 years. Teacher: Avril Smith.
Chaewon’s musical achievements are:
• Completed Korea National Institute for the Gifted in the Arts 2023-2025
• Admitted as Top-Ranked Student to Yewon School, 2025
• Kumho Prodigy Concert Recitalist, 2024
• 1st Prize, Ewha Kyunghyang Competition, 2024
• 1st Prize, Gustav Mahler Cello Competition
• Special Jury Prize & Best Interpretation Award, 2023
Chaewon enjoys ice skating and biology. Her ambition is to give positive impacts to others through music.
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Norah Xie (Violin), Honorable Mention, Junior String Division
Lalo – “Symphonie Espagnole, Mvt. I”
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Rush Matthews (Cello), Honorable Mention, Junior String Division
Lalo – “Concerto in D Minor, Mvt. III”
Note: Honorable Mention contestants will not be performing with the competition winners at the March 27, 2026 concert.
Reagan Panjaitan (Cello), Winner, Senior String Division
Dvorak – “Cello Concerto in B Minor, Mtv. I”
Regan is the son of Renike Surbakti and Roland Panjaitan. At age 15, he is attending 10th grade at Stephen F. Austin High School in Houston ISD. He has been studying cello for 5 years. Teacher: Mark Yee.
Reagan’s musical achievements are:
• Two-time TEMA All-State
• Houston Civic Concerto competition finalist
• Region XIII Principal Cellist
Reagan enjoys biking, running, mentoring others in cello and spending time with friends.
He plans to pursue music in college.
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ChenXi Ling (Violin), Honorable Mention, Senior String Division
Sibelius – “Concerto in D Minor, Mvt. III”
Note: Honorable Mention contestants will not be performing with the competition winners at the March 27, 2026 concert.
Luna Choe (Flute), Winner, Junior Wind Division
Chaminade – “Concertino for Flute”
Luna is the daughter of Esther Park and Dustin Choe. She is attending 8th grade (age 13) at Friendswood Junior High in Friendswood ISD. She has been studying flute for 2 years and piccolo for 1 year. Teachers: Izumi Miyahara, Kathryn Ladner, Norma Williams.
Luna’s musical achievements are:
• Junior Division Winner Flute, Houston Youth Symphony Concerto Competition, 2026
• TMEA Region 17: Band – 1st chair flute, 2024 & 2025
• TMEA Region 17 Orchestra – violin 7th chair 2024 & 5th chair 2025
• Houston Flute Club Denise Jennings Solo Competition – 7th gr Winner, piccolo, 2025.
Luna enjoys playing tennis (winner of multiple USTA tournaments, 2025 Friendswood JH District Champion), playing violin in Houston Youth Symphony, drawing, crocheting and hanging out with friends.
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Maksym Jakubas (Trumpet), Honorable Mention, Junior Wind Division
Hummel – “Concerto in E Major”
Note: Honorable Mention contestants will not be performing with the competition winners at the March 27, 2026 concert.
Elise Hui (Flute), Winner, Senior Wind Division
Ibert – “Flute Concerto, Mvt. III”
Elise Hui is the daughter of Linda and Ernest Hui. She is attending 11th grade (age 17) at Memorial High School in Spring Branch ISD. Elise studied flute 6 years. Teachers: Alison Steele & Beth Wiehe.
Elise’s musical achievements are:
• TEMA 6A All-State 2026
• Three-time area qualifier
• Denise Jennings 10th grade B Solo Winner, 2025
• High School Band Drum Major
Elise hopes to continue music and study biophysics.
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Thank You Melodie Shelton!
Many thanks go to Competition Coordinator, Melodie Shelton for her tireless work to put this competition and concert together. A big thank you also goes to their committee who helped during the competition and the judges on January 17, 2026.
A fine job was done by the competition Judges. This year’s judges were the following:
Robert Wall
• Clear Lake Symphony Conductor
• Orchestra Director – University Baptist Church
Michael Kasinger
• Composer in Residence with the Clear Lake Symphony
• Woodwind Specialist
Mark Holley
• Houston Grand Opera
• Houston Ballet
• Brass specialist
Dr. Charles Johnson
• Clear Lake Symphony Artistic Director, retired
Dr. Andrew Staupe
• Professor of Piano, University of Houston
Dr. Bart Morrison
• Pianist/Organist
• Pastor of Worship Ministries, University Baptist Church
Meghan Beaudry
• Professional Violist, teacher
• Clear Lake Chamber Orchestra
Danielle Darrigo
• Violinist: Houston Repertoire Ballet
• Orchestra Director
Brady Meyer
• Professional Cellist
• High School Orchestra Director
