18-year-old San Francisco-based cellist Starla Breashears won the grand prize, which includes $5,000 cash, generously funded this year by Maria Shim, with performance contracts with the Peninsula and Santa Cruz Symphonies, San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, Gualala Arts Chamber Series, Music in the Vineyards, Buffalo Chamber Players, Musical Masterworks, among others, and is valued at $18,000.

19-year old New York-based, Australian violinist James Birch won the second prize, generously given by Ruth Short in memory of Elaine H. Klein of $3,500 cash. It is valued at $5,500 with a performance with the San José Chamber Orchestra.

The third prize went to 19-year-old New York-based from Hong Kong violist Jones Lau of $2,500 cash, generously given in memory of Milton Preves by Judith and David Anderson.

Two fourth prizes of $1,500 each are awarded, one given to 22-year-old Canadian cellist Elliot Sloss by Maria Klein in memory of Jerry Lee Klein and one given to 22-year-old Korean violinist Juyeon Diana Lee by the Tarka Quartet in memory of Ron Goldman.

The newly added Prize for Best Performance of a Sonata, in honor of the great Jacqueline du Pré and her legendary musical collaboration with Daniel Barenboim, was given to Starla Breshears. This prize will consist of $1000, as well as a recital contract for next season..

The Allen R. Weiss and Susan E. Weiss award of $500 for best performance of the commissioned work by Suzanne Sorkin was given to Juyeon Diana Lee by the Weiss family.

The award of $500 for the best performance of solo Bach was given also to Starla Breshears.

Each semifinalist not awarded a named prize received $1,000: Angela Yining Sun, cello and Rachael Kim, violin. 

Download the digital program here.