Mio Imai – 3rd Prize Young Artist 2021
American violinist, Mio Imai (11yrs) is a 6th grader at Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School and has been studying violin with Kimberly Fisher, the principal second violin of The Philadelphia Orchestra. Mio made her violin solo orchestra debut at the age of 9, performing with New York Session Symphony, followed by Rowan String Ensemble of Rowan University. She won the 2nd prize in Leonid Kogan International Competition for Young Violinists 2021. She was nominated as a finalist in the 2020 Philadelphia Orchestra Albert M. Greenfield Student Competition (final round was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic). Mio has won grand prizes in a number of competitions, including Sound Espressivo Global Music Competition, Philadelphia International Music Festival Concerto Competition, Rowan String Ensemble Concerto Competition, Old York Road Symphony Young Artist Competition, Crescendo International Competition, and Junior Classical Music Competition in Japan. In addition to performing solo, Mio enjoys playing chamber and orchestral music as a member of Temple University Youth Chamber Orchestra in Temple University, Center for Gifted Young Musicians Program.