We are pleased to announce the Winners of the First Round of the Kosciuszko Foundation 2026 Wieniawski Violin Competition. All the Participants listed below are invited to the Second Round tomorrow, Sunday, November 8, in the following order:
9:30 a.m. – Madison Lee
9:50 a.m. – Vilmos Csikos
10:10 a.m. - Siyi Li
10:30 a.m. - Daniel Rafimayeri
10:50 a.m. - Cheng Io Lo
11:10 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. - BREAK
11:30 a.m. - Milena Piorunska
11:50 a.m. - Wei Chun Tsao
12:10 p.m. - Seohyun Choi
12:30 p.m. - Mingnan Yue
12:50 p.m. - Chieh-Jung (Stephanie) Ho
1:10 p.m. – Wenlan Jackson
Join us at the Kosciuszko Foundation in New York City for the exciting Final Round of the 2026 KF Wieniawski Violin Competition. Experience outstanding performances by three exceptional young violinists as they compete for over $20,000 in cash prizes and special awards. The competition will conclude with an awards ceremony and reception.
Sunday, November 8, 5 -9 PM
The Kosciuszko Foundation: 15 E 65th Street, New York, NY 10065
Held under the artistic direction of Adrian Sylveen, an internationally recognized conductor, the Competition will be adjudicated by distinguished musicians Philip Setzer, founding member of the Emerson String Quartet, and Joanna Kurkowicz, internationally acclaimed violinist and educator. We are also honored to welcome two Honorary Jury Members: Eugene Drucker, founding member of the Emerson String Quartet and recipient of nine Grammy Awards and three Gramophone Awards, and Przemysław Stanisławski, distinguished Polish conductor and music educator with an extensive international career.
Established in 1969, the Kosciuszko Foundation Wieniawski Violin Competition supports emerging violinists, celebrates artistic excellence, and promotes Poland’s rich musical heritage. It honors Henryk Wieniawski (1835–1880), the legendary Polish violin virtuoso and composer, celebrated as one of the greatest violinists of the Romantic era.
The Kosciuszko Foundation gratefully acknowledges Ms. Krystyna Piorkowska for her generous support of the Competition and thanks Ann C. Zagoreos, Philip Setzer, and Adrian Sylveen for establishing special monetary and performance awards.