Milena Piorunska Wins First Prize at the 2026 KF Wieniawski Violin Competition
Wenlan Jackson, Cheng Io Lo, and Siyi Li Also Honored for Outstanding Musical Achievement
NEW YORK, November 2026 — The KF Wieniawski Violin Competition is pleased to announce the winners of its 2026 edition, celebrating exceptional young violinists and their artistic achievements while promoting the rich tradition of Polish violin music.
Milena Piorunska was awarded First Prize ($8,000) and the Special Prize ($1,000) for Best Performance of a Work by Henryk Wieniawski. She also received two prestigious performance opportunities: an appearance at the Manchester Music Festival in Vermont, offered by renowned violinist Philip Setzer, and a performance with the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, offered by Adrian Sylveen.
Wenlan Jackson received Second Prize ($5,000) and the Special Prize ($1,000) for the Best Performance of a Work by Karol Szymanowski.
Cheng Io Lo received Third Prize ($3,000) and the Special Prize ($2,000) for Best Performance of a Contemporary Polish Composition.
Siyi Li received Fourth Prize ($2,500), generously funded by Ms. Ann Zagoreos.
The competition awarded a total of $22,500 in monetary prizes, in addition to special performance opportunities designed to support the winners' developing careers.
The 2026 competition was adjudicated by an esteemed panel of musicians, including Philip Setzer and Joanna Kurkowicz. Eugene Drucker and Przemyslaw Stanislawski served as honorary jurors for the final round, while Adrian Sylveen served as juror and artistic director.
About the Prizewinners
Milena Piorunska, a graduate with distinction of the Ignacy Jan Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań, is an internationally recognized young Polish violinist. Her numerous distinctions include First Prize at the International Georg Philipp Telemann Violin Competition and the title of Young Musician of the Year 2022. She represented Poland at the Eurovision Young Musicians Competition and has performed with leading orchestras across Europe. Her debut album, POLISH HARMONY (2024), features works by Bacewicz, Wieniawski, and Szymanowski.
Wenlan Jackson, a graduate of the Colburn Conservatory of Music currently pursuing advanced studies in Berlin, has appeared at the Verbier Festival, Gstaad Menuhin Festival, and Berlin Philharmonic. Jackson's honors include a Fulbright Germany Award, recognition as a Foundation Gautier Capuçon laureate, and several international competition prizes.
Cheng Io Lo completed graduate violin studies at The Juilliard School and is pursuing an Artist Diploma at the Colburn School. Lo's performances include an appearance at Alice Tully Hall with the Columbia University Orchestra and participation in the ARRAY x Juilliard collaboration at the California Festival. Previous honors include winning the Columbia University Concerto Competition.
Siyi Li is pursuing graduate studies at the Manhattan School of Music on a full scholarship. Recent distinctions include Second Prize at the 2025 Violin & Soul International Violin Competition in Vienna and Second Prize at the Marine Iashvili Violin Competition in Georgia.
About the KF Wieniawski Violin Competition
Established by the Kosciuszko Foundation in 1969, the Wieniawski Violin Competition supports the artistic development of young musicians while promoting Poland’s rich musical heritage through the works of Polish composers. The Competition honors Henryk Wieniawski (1835–1880), Poland’s legendary violinist and composer, whose extraordinary legacy continues to inspire and challenge musicians worldwide.
