Young Adult Artists' Competition 2025
Plans for the 2026 competition are in progress. The competition will be held in Whitter, California and the application will
be available online January 2026. The categories are:
PIANO ***** BRASS ***** WOODWINDS ***** PERCUSSION
The winner in each category will perform as a soloist with the Whittier Regional Symphony during the 2026-27 season. In
addition, each winner will receive $1,000, and each runners-up a $500 cash award to further their music education.
Who Can Apply: Students who are residents of California or attending a California university, college, or school, or are
studying with a private music teacher in California. All contestants must be between 16 and 26 years old at the time of the
competition. The competition is limited to the first 15 eligible applicants.
For more information, please call Dr. Fay Weber at 562.631.5262 or email questions to faycweber@gmail.com or contact
the Whittier Regional Symphony Association office at 562.698.8626.
STRING & VOICE
The winner in each category will perform as a soloist with the Whittier Regional Symphony during the 2025-26 season. In addition, each winner will receive $1,000, and each runners-up a $500 cash award to further their music education.
Who Can Apply: Students who are residents of California or attending a California university, college, or school, or are studying with a private music teacher in California. All contestants must be at least 16 years old. String players cannot be older than 26 at the time of the competition; vocalists cannot be older than 30. The competition is limited to the first 15 eligible applicants.
For more information, please call Dr. Fay Weber at 562 631 5262 or email questions to faycweber@gmail.com or contact the Whittier Regional Symphony Association office at 562 698 8626.
Print applications to be sent to YAAC Chair, Dr. Fay Weber. Email questions to Dr. Fay Weber at faycweber@gmail.com or call (562) 631-5262.
Young Adult Artists’ Competition
We Thank All Who Participated And Are Pleased To Present The Winners And Runners-Up Of The Young Adult Artists’ Competition 2025
WINNERS
Ms. Tai and Ms. Berthold will perform with the orchestra at up-coming concerts
Eiline Tai, Strings
Eiline has performed internationally as a cellist, making her solo debut at the age of 10 with the Southern California Philharmonic after winning the Young Artist Competition. Since then, she has performed in prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Zipper Concert Hall, Jordan Hall, New World Center, and Kaufman Music Center. Her musical journey has taken her to play in the United States, Switzerland, Germany, Liechtenstein, Canada, France, Slovenia, England, and Italy. At just 16, she has had the privilege of studying Beethoven’s complete five cello sonatas with Maestro Alfred Brendel. In 2020, Eiline was invited to participate in the Piatigorsky International Cello Festival’s Mass Cello Ensemble at Walt Disney Concert Hall. She gained further recognition in January 2023 when she appeared on NPR’s From The Top nationwide radio show. Demonstrating outstanding artistry and dedication, she was awarded the 2025 YoungArts Award Winner with Distinction, the highest honor from the National Foundation, and invited to the YoungArts Week in Miami.
Eiline has appeared as a soloist with several symphonies, including the Southern California Philharmonic and Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra.
Currently, Eiline is a Kohl Scholar studying at the Colburn School.
Lily Berthold, Voice
Lily Berthold is an operatic soprano based in Los Angeles. After making her operatic debut in the summer of 2023 as Mozart’s heroine Pamina, Lily has quickly become an in demand singer. The talented soprano is making her mark on the opera scene throughout California, having performed as a soloist with notable companies statewide, such as: Opera SLO, Pacific Lyric Association, Lyric Opera Orange County, Mission Opera, & more. Select role credits include: Adina in L’elisir D’amore, Gretel in Hänsel und Gretel, Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi, Valencienne in The Merry Widow, Pamina in Die Zauberflöte, & Frasquita in Carmen. Ms. Berthold is in the first year of her Master’s Degree, attending Bob Cole Conservatory of Music (BCCM) at California State University Long Beach, graduating in 2026.
RUNNERS-UP
Yul Yang, Strings
Yul Yang is a junior at Northwood High School in Irvine, CA, and an accomplished cellist recognized in both national and international competitions. He was one of six American semi-finalists in the XI International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians. He has won first place in the Edith Knox Concerto Competition, the South Coast Symphony Young Stars of the Future Competition, and the California ASTA State Solo Competition (Southern California Division) in both 2022 and 2024.
Zachary Mascarinas, Voice
A passionate performer, Zachary Mascarinas has showcased his talent in operatic roles with esteemed institutions such as the CSULB Opera Institute and Chicago Summer Opera. Notable performances include Harashta in The Cunning Little Vixen, Dr. Falke in Die Fledermaus, and the Vicar in Albert Herring with Chicago Summer Opera in 2024. Looking ahead, Zach will prepare the role of Papageno in Die Zauberflöte with the CSULB Opera Institute in Spring 2025 and the role of Figaro in The Ghost of Versailles with Miami Music Festival in Summer 2025. Zach has graced the stage with Pacific Opera Project in Madame Butterfly and collaborated with Lyric Opera of Orange County on their production of The Mighty Casey. He was the winner of the 2024 SoCalPhil Young Artist Competition and is pleased to earn First Runner Up in the 2025 Whittier Regional Symphony Young Artist Competition.