Participants
Oleg Khudyakov
1st Prize and Gold Medal
Nikolai Tsinman
2nd Prize and Silver Medal
Sun Yixing
2nd Prize and Silver Medal
Alexey Aslanov
3rd Prize and Bronze Medal
Yuri Demidovich
3rd Prize and Bronze Medal
Brian Liao
4th Prize and Diploma
Filippo Dessi
5th Prize and Diploma
San Kim
6th Prize and Diploma
Murtuza Byulbyul
Jose Colome
Tilen Draksler
Zou Jiahung
Ivan Khudiakov-Vedeniapin
Boburzhon Kurbonaliev
Nicolas Mann
Christopher Mina Diaz
Luca Pop
Benedikt Sauer
Anton Shnitkin
Kin Szeto
Anton Torbeev
Edmund Whitehead
Hu Xiaobo
Yang Xinjie
Yaroslav Zaboyarkin
Murtuza Byulbyul
Azerbaijan
Born in 2001 After graduating from the Academic Music College at the Moscow Conservatory (Choral Conducting Department, class of Leonid Pavlov), he enrolled at the Moscow Conservatory in the Opera and Symphony Conducting Department under Vyacheslav Valeev.
He made his conducting debut in 2015 in Baku with the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra. He has collaborated with the Svetlanov State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia, the Russian National Orchestra, the Academic Symphony Orchestra of the St. Petersburg Philharmonia, the Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Moscow Philharmonia, and the Russian State Symphony Orchestra of Cinematography.
He has accompanied soloists such as Anna Netrebko, Dmitry Sitkovetsky, Daniil Kogan, Elchin Azizov, Elena Gvritishvili, and Dinara Alieva. He places particular emphasis on the music of Azerbaijani composers Uzeyir Hajibeyli, Gara Garayev, Fikret Amirov, and Polad Bulbuloglu.
Worked as assistant to Sergey Skripka and Federico Santi. Refined his skills in Vienna under Günter Neuhold and in Berlin under Johannes Wildner.
1st round
L. van Beethoven. Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92
1. Poco sostenuto — Vivace
S. Rachmaninoff. The Rock, Symphonic Fantasy, Op. 7
2nd round
D. Shostakovich. Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47
4. Allegro non troppo
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
1. Non Allegro
3rd round
According to the draw results
Jose Colome
Spain
Born in 1985 in Seville, he studied at the Seville Conservatory and later at the Wiener Meisterkurse in Vienna, specializing in orchestral conducting. He continued his professional development at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. His mentors included Bruno Aprea, Salvador Mas Conde, Santiago Serrate, Antoni Ros-Marbà, and Miquel Ortega.
He served as conductor and artistic director at the Seville Zarzuela Theatre (2012–2013) and founded the Hispaniс Filarmónica Orchestra, where he was conductor and artistic director (2012–2018). From 2017 to 2019 he was assistant conductor of the Orquestra Clássica do Sul (Portugal). From 2022 to 2024 he was principal conductor of the Álvarez Beigbeder Orchestra. Since 2014 he has been artistic director and conductor of the OrquestArte course in Extremadura. Since 2018 he has been a regular guest conductor of the Royal Symphony Orchestra of Seville.
As guest and assistant conductor, he has worked in Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Austria, the UK, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Morocco. Laureate of the 2025 International Dmitri Shostakovich Music Competition.
1st round
S. Rachmaninoff. The Rock, Symphonic Fantasy, Op. 7
L. van Beethoven. Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21
1 Adagio molto — Allegro con brio
2nd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
1 Non Allegro
B. Bartók. Concerto for Orchestra, BB. 123
1 Introduzione: Andante non troppo — Allegro vivace
3rd round
According to the draw results
Edmund Whitehead
United Kingdom
Educated as a pianist at Oxford and Guildhall, he began his conducting career as a member of the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. He conducted new productions of Henze’s Phaedra, Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice, and Gruber’s Frankenstein, and served as assistant to Sir Antonio Pappano.
He has conducted at the Polish National Opera in Warsaw, New Chamber Opera (Oxford), workshOPERA, Wimbledon Symphony Orchestra, Moscow Camerata, Southbank Sinfonia, Kammerphilharmonie Graz, and the Tête à Tête Festival.
He has also worked as assistant conductor at the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Opéra national de Lorraine, Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, British Youth Opera, and Budapest Opera Festival.
In 2023 he was appointed conductor and répétiteur at Welsh National Opera. From August 2025 he joins the Royal Danish Opera as staff assistant conductor and répétiteur.
1st round
S. Rachmaninoff. The Rock, Symphonic Fantasy, Op. 7
L. van Beethoven. Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92
2. Allegretto
2nd round
S. Prokofiev
Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 44
1. Moderato
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
1. Non Allegro
3rd round
According to the draw results
Benedikt Sauer
Germany
Born in 1989 in Germany, he graduated from the Milan Conservatory and pursued opera conducting with Carlo Franci. He completed postgraduate studies in Kyiv under Allin Vlasenko and attended masterclasses by Mikhail Jurowski, Riccardo Frizza, Donato Renzetti, Maurizio Arena, Jorma Panula, and Lior Shambadal.
He made his opera debut with Verdi’s La Traviata (Bad Ems Kurtheater, 2013), conducted Mozart’s Don Giovanni at the baroque Ekhof Theatre (Gotha), and led productions in Italy and Kyiv. In 2018 he headed the Rossini & Schubert Opera Festival as part of “Cultural Summer” in Rhineland-Palatinate.
He actively collaborates with Opera Classica Europa and its Academy. He worked as assistant to Riccardo Minasi, Oleg Caetani, Rinaldo Alessandrini, and Mikhail Jurowski, including at the Verdi Theatre (Trieste), Mariinsky Theatre, Rome Opera, and Salzburg Festival.
He has performed in the Czech Republic, Italy, Germany, Hungary, and Russia (Zaryadye Hall, 2024). Dedicated to authentic performance practice. In 2023 he founded the chamber orchestra Ensemble Mercadante in Naples.
1st round
Rachmaninoff Symphonic Fantasy The Rock, op. 7
W. A. Mozart. Symphony No. 41 in C major,
Jupiter, K. 551
2 Andante cantabile
2nd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
1 Non Allegro
D. Shostakovich. Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47
1 Moderato
3 Largo
3 Largo
3rd round
According to the draw results
Yaroslav Zaboyarkin
Russia
Graduated from the St. Petersburg Conservatory as a violinist and orchestral conductor (class of Mikhail Kukushkin, 2016). Honed his skills at the Järvi Academy in Pärnu, assisting Paavo Järvi with the Estonian Festival Orchestra in Germany and Japan (2018, 2019).
Since 2011, member of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic; since 2013, conductor of the Singolo Orchestra. Winner of international violin and conducting competitions, including the Grzegorz Fitelberg International Conducting Competition (Poland, 2017).
Made his debut with the Philharmonic’s Academic Symphony Orchestra in 2019 In 2020, with the support of Yuri Temirkanov, founded the Philharmonic Youth Chamber Orchestra. Regularly collaborates with leading orchestras in Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as the Shanghai Philharmonic. Performed with Vadim Repin, Ekaterina Mechetina, Alexander Rudin, Narek Hakhnazaryan, and others.
Recipient of China’s “Signs of the Times” award for musical achievement.
1st round
S. Rachmaninoff. The Rock, Symphonic Fantasy, Op. 7
L. van Beethoven. Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major, Op. 60
1. Adagio — Allegro vivace
2nd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
1. Non Allegro
D. Shostakovich. Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op. 10
1. Allegretto — Allegro non troppo
2. Allegro
3rd Round
According to the draw results
Zou Jiahung
China
Born in Taipei, Taiwan. He began studying trumpet in high school and continued his studies at Soochow University under Chung-Chih Chen and Kaoru Sugiki. He later completed a master’s degree in orchestral conducting under Ching-Po Chien at the same university. He has taken part in masterclasses with Daniel Harding, Jorma Panula, and Karel Mark Chichon.
As a trumpeter, he has performed as a soloist with orchestras and wind ensembles, and won a prize in the quintet category at the 2015 Jeju International Brass Competition. He is a prizewinner of the International Conducting Competition in Hiroshima. Currently serves as assistant conductor of the Taiwan Philharmonic (National Symphony Orchestra).
I Round
S. Rachmaninoff. The Rock, Symphonic Fantasy, Op. 7
L. van Beethoven. Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 36
1 Adagio molto — Allegro con brio
II Round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
3 Lento assai — Allegro vivace
M. Ravel. Daphnis et Chloé, Suite No. 2, M. 57b
1 Lever de jour. Lent
2 Pantomime
3 Danse générale
III Round
According to the draw results
Yang Xinjie
China
Born in 1998 in China. Currently based in the United Kingdom. Graduated in conducting from the China Conservatory of Music in 2021, then completed her studies at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) in Manchester (2021–2023). Debuted at Wigmore Hall in London with the RNCM New Ensemble. Worked as assistant conductor with the BBC Philharmonic and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra under Sir Mark Elder, Domingo Hindoyan, and Gemma New.
A semi-finalist of the 2023 Brass Band Conductors’ Association competition and winner of the RNCM Brierley/Kershaw Prize (2023). In 2022–2023 served as Music Director of the Settle Orchestra (UK). Conducted premieres recorded by the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group for BBC Radio 3, including Slow Dance by Toshio Hosokawa and Noh Triptych by Hollie Harding. In 2024, took part in the Eötvös 80 International Conducting Workshop in Budapest, conducting Péter Eötvös’s Ligetidyll and works by György Ligeti.
1st round
S. Rachmaninoff. The Rock, Symphonic Fantasy, Op. 7
L. van Beethoven. Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92
4. Allegro con brio
2nd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
1. Non Allegro
I. Stravinsky. Suite from the ballet The Firebird
4. Infernal Dance of Kashchei the Immortal
5. Lullaby
6. Finale
3rd round
According to the draw results
Anton Shnitkin
Russia
Born in 1982 in Kurgan. Studied violin performance at the Detmold University of Music (Germany) and the Royal Conservatory of Ghent (Belgium) under Thomas Christian and Lukas David.
In 2021 he graduated from the Ural Conservatory with a degree in opera and symphony conducting, studying under Vyacheslav Kartashov.
As a soloist and concertmaster, he has performed with ensembles such as the Baden-Württemberg Chamber Orchestra I SEDICI (Germany), the Georgian Chamber Orchestra (Ingolstadt, Germany), and the Philharmonia of the Nations (Berlin, Germany).
He has worked with conductors including Zubin Mehta, Kurt Masur, Justus Frantz, Rudolf Barshai, and Luigi Zagrestano, performing in major concert halls across Europe, including the Leipzig Gewandhaus, the Prague Philharmonic, and the Berlin Konzerthaus.
From 2017 to 2022 he served as Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Zauralye Symphony Orchestra. In 2021–2022 he was conductor of the orchestra and lecturer in opera and symphony conducting at the Ural Conservatory.
Since 2022 he has been Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Far Eastern Academic Symphony Orchestra.
1st round
S. Rachmaninoff. The Rock, Symphonic Fantasy, Op. 7
L. van Beethoven. Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major, Op. 60
1 Adagio — Allegro vivace
2nd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
1 Non Allegro
M. Ravel. Daphnis et Chloé, Suite No. 2, M. 57b
2 Pantomime
3rd round
According to the draw results
Kin Szeto
China
A professional erhu (Chinese violin) performer, Kin Szeto has toured globally as a soloist. He began his conducting career in 2016 He earned a conducting degree from Ithaca College (USA) under Octavio Más-Arocas and continued his orchestral conducting studies with Mark Gibson at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
Winner of the 2022 Orchestra’s Conducting Competition in Romania.
While in the U.S., he served as conductor of the Symphony Orchestra and assistant conductor of the Cincinnati Youth Orchestra, collaborating with the Charleston Symphony, Reno Chamber Orchestra, and others.
He has worked with the Brașov Philharmonic Orchestra (Romania), Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic Orchestra (Czech Republic), Budapest MÁV Symphony Orchestra, Romanian Youth Orchestra, Cabrillo Festival Orchestra (USA), and Chinese orchestras in Hong Kong and Macau.
He collaborated with Musica Viva (Hong Kong) on Bizet’s Carmen. Assistant conductor of the Windpipe Chinese Music Ensemble (Hong Kong), Szeto currently serves as the inaugural conductor of the Tianjin Juilliard Pre-College Orchestra and assistant conductor of the Tianjin Juilliard Orchestra.
1st round
S. Rachmaninoff. The Rock, Symphonic Fantasy, Op. 7
L. van Beethoven. Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92
1 Poco sostenuto — Vivace
2nd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
1 Non Allegro
C. Debussy. La Mer , Three symphonic sketches, L. 109
3 Dialogue du vent et de la mer
3rd round
According to the draw results
Luca Pop
Romania
Graduated from the State Conservatory of Aragon (Spain), where he studied orchestral conducting with Borja Quintas and Miquel Rodrigo, and choral conducting with Elena Ruiz Ortega.
He has participated in masterclasses with Johannes Schlaefli, Dimitris Botinis, Rui Pinheiro, Bruno Aprea, Nuno Coelho, and Martin Zighart.
He has conducted the Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra in Pardubice, as well as the Aragon Conservatory's Philharmonic, Symphony, Wind, and “Sinfonietta” chamber orchestras, and the Student Choir. He has also collaborated with the Youth Orchestras of León and Alto Minho.
As assistant conductor, he took part in the Annual Zarzuela Gala in Madrid with the Symphony Orchestra of the Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM) and in a performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 with the Symphony Orchestra and Choir of World Youth Day (JMJ) in Madrid.
He has performed in top concert halls in León and Zaragoza.
He has performed in top concert halls in León and Zaragoza.
In the 2023/2024 season, he served as Music Director of the University of Zaragoza Symphony Orchestra (OSUZ) and the Delicias Choral Society in Zaragoza.
1st round
S. Rachmaninoff. The Rock, Symphonic Fantasy, Op. 7
L. van Beethoven. Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major, Op. 60
L. van Beethoven. Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major, Op. 60
1. Adagio — Allegro vivace
2nd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
1. Non Allegro
M. Ravel. Daphnis et Chloé, Suite No. 2, M. 57b
1. Lever de jour. Lent
M. Ravel. Daphnis et Chloé, Suite No. 2, M. 57b
3 Danse générale
3rd round
According to the draw results
Nicolas Mann
Russia
After graduating from the Central Music School at the Moscow Conservatory, he studied at the Paris Conservatory and later earned a master’s degree in opera and symphony conducting at the Tashkent Conservatory (class of Vladimir Neimer).
Since 2024, he has served as Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the UAE Philharmonic Orchestra, which has performed at major venues including Dubai Opera, Zabeel Theatre, and the Theatre of Digital Art, and represented the UAE on tours to Saudi Arabia, Russia, and India.
As a soloist and conductor, he has appeared at the Grand, Small, and Rachmaninoff Halls of the Moscow Conservatory, Teatro Maestranza (Seville), Palace of Ajuda (Lisbon), Théâtre du Châtelet (Paris), Teatro Teresa Carreño (Venezuela), among others.
He has collaborated with various symphony and chamber orchestras, including the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra, Tyumen Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Symphony Orchestra of Spain, Venezuelan Symphony Orchestra, and National Symphony Orchestra of Syria.
He is also involved in projects promoting cultural collaboration and music education across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
1st round
S. Rachmaninoff. The Rock, Symphonic Fantasy, Op. 7
L. van Beethoven. Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major, Op. 60
1. Adagio — Allegro vivace
2nd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
3. Lento assai — Allegro vivace
D. Shostakovich. Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op. 10
2. Allegro
3rd round
According to the draw results
Christopher Mina Diaz
Ecuador
He began studying conducting at the age of 16 under Maestro Hugo Quimbita. His mentors have included Emmanuel Siffert (Switzerland), Nathalie Marin (France), and Yuri Sobolev (Russia). He is currently pursuing his conducting studies at the St. Petersburg Conservatory under Alexander Polianichko.
He has taken part in masterclasses with Ignacio García Vidal, Antony Hermus, Enrique Pérez Mesa, and Agnieszka Duczmal.
He has served as Artistic Director of the Symphony Orchestra of the Ecuador State Conservatory and as Music Director and Chief Conductor of the Academic Chamber Orchestra of Loja.
Currently, he is the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Loja Philharmonic Orchestra Mina Díaz regularly collaborates with the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba, the Camagüey Symphony Orchestra (Cuba), the Guayaquil Philharmonic Orchestra (Ecuador), as well as other ensembles in Cuba and Ecuador, and the Kostroma Chamber Orchestra (Russia).
1st round
S. Rachmaninoff. The Rock, Symphonic Fantasy, Op. 7
L. van Beethoven. Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92
1 Poco sostenuto — Vivace
2nd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
1 Non Allegro
A. Scriabin. Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Le Divin Poème, Op. 43
1 Struggles. Introduction et Luttes: Allegro
3rd round
According to the draw results
Anton Torbeev
Russia
Graduated from the Faculty of Opera and Symphony Conducting of the St. Petersburg Conservatory, where he studied with Eduard Serov and Pyotr Gribanov, and completed his postgraduate assistantship at the Moscow Conservatory under Igor Dronov.
He participated in masterclasses with Bernard Haitink, Fabio Luisi, and Lorin Maazel, and undertook an internship at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz with Wolfgang Doerner (2012–2013). From 2018 to 2022 he was a member of the trainee program of the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia.
He has collaborated with the Moscow, Volgograd, and Far Eastern Academic Symphony Orchestras, the Mariinsky Theatre Symphony Orchestra, the Romanian Radio National Orchestra, the Sapporo International Youth Symphony Orchestra (Japan), the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (South Korea), and others.
He is a prizewinner of international conducting competitions including Only Stage (UK, 2021) and the Lányi International Conducting Competition (Serbia, 2021). Since 2013 he has been conductor at the Primorsky Opera and Ballet Theatre; from 2016 to 2023 he served as conductor of the Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre. Since 2023 he has been a conductor at the Kolobov Novaya Opera Theatre of Moscow, and from 2024 — Principal Guest Conductor of Liaoning Opera House (China).
1st round
S. Rachmaninoff. The Rock, Symphonic Fantasy, Op. 7
L. van Beethoven. Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92
1 Poco sostenuto — Vivace
2nd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
3 Lento assai — Allegro vivace
M. Ravel. Daphnis et Chloé, Suite No. 2, M. 57b
1 Lever de jour. Lent
2 Pantomime
3 Danse générale
3rd round
According to the draw results
Ivan Khudiakov-Vedeniapin
Russia
Born in 1998 Graduated from the Glinka Choral School in St. Petersburg, followed by the St. Petersburg Conservatory with degrees in choral conducting (class of Stanislav Legkov) and opera-symphonic conducting (class of Alexander Titov). Participated in masterclasses led by Yuri Simonov, Vladimir Fedoseyev, Teodor Currentzis, and others.
In 2021, following an open competition, he was appointed assistant to the principal conductor of the Perm chaikovsky Opera and Ballet Theatre. Since 2022, he has served as a conductor with the theatre.
As of 2024, he is a regular guest conductor of the Ural Opera Ballet Theatre (Yekaterinburg).
Collaborates with the Volgograd Philharmonic, the St. Petersburg State Academic Symphony Orchestra, and Pratum Integrum Orchestra.
Recipient of the 2024 Russian Federation Government Scholarship for Young Artists and Cultural Figures.
1st round
S. Rachmaninoff. The Rock, Symphonic Fantasy, Op. 7
L. van Beethoven. Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92
4 Allegro con brio
2nd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
1 Non Allegro
D. Shostakovich. Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op. 10
1 Allegretto — Allegro non troppo
3rd round
According to the draw results
Boburzhon Kurbonaliev
Uzbekistan
Born in 1992 in Tashkent, he graduated from the R. Glière Republican Specialized Music School and the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan, where he studied conducting with Vladimir Neymer (2015). He worked as conductor of the student wind orchestra at the Glière School.
After receiving an academic grant, he completed his studies at the Rostov State Conservatory (2023). In 2023–2024 he served as assistant conductor to Kamoliddin Urinbaev at the State Symphony Orchestra of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Since March 2024 he has been conductor of the B. Zakirov National Variety and Symphony Orchestra under the State Philharmonic of Uzbekistan.
In addition to his artistic work, he teaches at the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan, Conducting Faculty.
1st round
S. Rachmaninoff. The Rock, Symphonic Fantasy, Op. 7
L. van Beethoven. Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major, Op. 60
1 Adagio — Allegro vivace
2nd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
1 Non Allegro
D. Shostakovich. Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47
2 Allegretto
3rd round
According to the draw results
Hu Xiaobo
China
Born in 1990 in Dandong, China, Xiaobo Hu graduated from the University of Music Würzburg (Germany) and is currently pursuing a Konzertexamen degree at the Hochschule für Musik Saar.
His mentors include Neeme and Paavo Järvi, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Sakari Oramo, Cristian Măcelaru, Riccardo Muti, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Michael Sanderling, and Sascha Goetzel. Since 2023, he has served as assistant to Tan Dun.
He has worked with the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Harusai Festival Orchestra, Hamburg Symphony Orchestra, and Moscow’s Novaya Opera Theatre. Hu is a participant of Riccardo Muti’s Italian Opera Academy, the Järvi Conducting Academy at the Pärnu Festival, the George Enescu Festival, and a laureate of the Péter Eötvös Contemporary Music Foundation.
As assistant to Valentin Uryupin, he has worked on productions at the Bregenz Festival, Oper Frankfurt, and the Nuremberg State Opera. He is a recipient of several prestigious grants, including the Wagner Scholarship in Bayreuth, the German National Scholarship, and the China National Scholarship.
1st round
S. Rachmaninoff. The Rock, Symphonic Fantasy, Op. 7
L. van Beethoven. Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67
2. Andante con moto
2nd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
1. Non Allegro
C. Debussy. La Mer, Three symphonic sketches, L. 109
1. De l’aube à midi sur la mer
3rd round
According to the draw results
Tilen Draksler
Slovenia
Born in 1986, Tilen Draxler studied piano at the Ljubljana Academy of Music and completed postgraduate studies at the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest. He trained in conducting under George Pehlivanian at the Katarina Gurska Music School in Madrid (2017–2019).
He is the First Prize winner of the J.S. Bach Conducting Competition in Gdańsk (Poland). He has performed with the Slovenian Philharmonic, Katarina Gurska Academy Orchestra, Sibelius Academy Orchestra, Slovenian RTV Symphony Orchestra, Royal Orchestra of North Carolina in Manchester, State Academic Symphony Cappella of Russia, Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra, Berlin Sinfonietta, and others.
He is founder and artistic director of the Amadeo Festival and Orchestra in Slovenia. As conductor-in-residence of the Institute of Contemporary Music, he premieres over 20 new works annually.
Since 2023 he has served as assistant conductor of the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra and assistant to George Pehlivanian.
He is the First Prize winner of the J.S. Bach Conducting Competition in Gdańsk (Poland). He has performed with the Slovenian Philharmonic, Katarina Gurska Academy Orchestra, Sibelius Academy Orchestra, Slovenian RTV Symphony Orchestra, Royal Orchestra of North Carolina in Manchester, State Academic Symphony Cappella of Russia, Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra, Berlin Sinfonietta, and others.
He is founder and artistic director of the Amadeo Festival and Orchestra in Slovenia. As conductor-in-residence of the Institute of Contemporary Music, he premieres over 20 new works annually.
Since 2023 he has served as assistant conductor of the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra and assistant to George Pehlivanian.
1st round
S. Rachmaninoff. The Rock, Symphonic Fantasy, Op. 7
L. van Beethoven. Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21
1 Adagio molto — Allegro con brio
2nd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
1 Non Allegro
D. Shostakovich. Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47
1 Moderato
3rd round
According to the draw results
San Kim
South Korea
Born in 1994 in Frankfurt am Main (Germany), San Kim graduated in choral conducting from the Korea National University of Arts and later studied orchestral and operatic conducting at the Giuseppe Verdi International Academy of Opera in Italy.
From 2021 to 2023 he served as assistant conductor of the Soliall Philharmonic Orchestra (South Korea) and, since 2021, has been conductor of the Kim San International Opera Company (KS).
He made his international debut with the Obergurgl Festival Orchestra (Austria), and has appeared with the State Symphony and National Symphony Orchestras of Uzbekistan, the Chelyabinsk State Symphony Orchestra, the Rocha Symphony Orchestra (Ecuador), and the Czech Philharmonic.
In 2022 the Korea National Opera named San Kim one of the most promising conductors. In 2023 he received the Young Artist Award from the Korean Music Association (KMA). He currently serves as principal conductor of the International Opera Company (KS) and music director of the Jeju International Youth Orchestra (South Korea).
1st round
S. Rachmaninoff. The Rock, Symphonic Fantasy, Op. 7
L. van Beethoven. Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Eroica, Op. 55
1 Allegro con brio
2nd round
B. Bartók. Concerto for Orchestra, BB 123
1 Introduzione: Andante non troppo — Allegro vivace
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
1 Non Allegro
3rd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27
S. Rachmaninoff. Piano concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30
Soloist – Alexey Melnikov
Filippo Dessi
Italy
Born in 1993, Filippo Dessì studied piano at the Lucio Campiani Conservatory in Mantua and the University of Music in Nuremberg. He received his conducting education at the Italian Conducting Academy under Gilberto Serembe, and attended masterclasses with Massimiliano Caldi as well as advanced courses with Donald Portnoy and Paul Vermel at the University of South Carolina (USA).
Since 2019 he has been based in Russia. From 2019 to 2022 he was assistant to Fabio Mastrangelo at the St Petersburg Music Hall. In 2023 he served as assistant conductor at the Perm Opera and Ballet Theatre in the production of Verdi’s Un ballo in maschera. In 2022–2023 he was conductor of the Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Samara State Philharmonic.
He has participated in international festivals including “All Together Opera”, “Shostakovich XX Century,” the Trans-Siberian Art Festival, and Denis Matsuev’s “Dialogue of Generations.”
Since 2024 he has been working with the Krasnoyarsk Opera and Ballet Theatre: as assistant conductor in the production of Puccini’s Turandot and as conductor for Verdi’s Il trovatore (2025). In 2025 he is also scheduled to appear as guest conductor with the North Caucasus State Philharmonic.
1st round
S. Rachmaninoff. The Rock, Symphonic Fantasy, Op. 7
L. van Beethoven. Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92
1 Poco sostenuto — Vivace
2nd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
1 Non Allegro
D. Shostakovich. Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op. 10
1 Allegretto — Allegro non troppo
3rd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 44
S. Rachmaninoff. Piano concerto No. 1 in F # minor, Op. 1
Soloist – Konstantin Khachikyan
Brian Liao
China
A graduate of the Mozarteum University Salzburg, where he studied conducting with Ion Marin, Bruno Weil, and Alexander Drčar. He took part in masterclasses with Bernard Haitink, Jorma Panula, Alan Gilbert, Karel Mark Chichon, and Vladimir Fedoseyev.
He served as assistant to Klaus Mäkelä at the Orchestre de Paris, to Vasily Sinaisky at the Orchestre National d’Île-de-France, and to Susanna Mälkki at the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. He currently resides in Paris. Prizewinner of international conducting competitions including Llíria City of Music in Valencia, the Lovro von Matačić Competition, and the Bucharest Music Institute (BMI).
He has worked with the Taiwan Counterpoint Ensemble, the Mozarteum Salzburg Orchestra, the Spanish Philharmonic, the London Philharmonic, Bucharest Philharmonic, Seoul Philharmonic, and the Croatian Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra. Engagements include concerts with the RTVE Symphony Orchestra, the Malaga and Oviedo Philharmonic Orchestras, the Zagreb Philharmonic, among others. Permanent conductor of the National Taiwan Youth Symphony Orchestra and conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan and Taipei Symphony Orchestra.
1st round
S. Rachmaninoff. The Rock, Symphonic Fantasy, Op. 7
L. van Beethoven. Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92
1 Poco sostenuto — Vivace
2nd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
1 Non Allegro
D. Shostakovich. Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47
1 Moderato
3rd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphony No. 1 in D minor, Op. 13
S. Rachmaninoff. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43
Soloist – Stanislav Korchagin
Yuri Demidovich
Belarus
Born in 1996 in Minsk. Graduated from the Moscow Conservatory in 2021 with a degree in opera and symphonic conducting under Vyacheslav Valeev, followed by postgraduate training under Anatoly Levin.
Winner of the Special Prize at the 1st Rachmaninoff International Competition for Pianists, Composers and Conductors (2022) and recipient of the Kozlovsky Foundation Award (2023).
Since 2021 conductor at the Opera Studio of the Moscow Conservatory and instructor in the
Opera Department.
In September 2023 became a trainee at the Mariinsky Theatre, where he conducted L’elisir d’amore by Donizetti, La traviata by Verdi, The Chess King by A. Tchaikovsky, and Rothschild’s Violin by V. Fleishman. In the theatre’s North Ossetian branch in Vladikavkaz, he staged The Dawns Here Are Quiet by Kirill Molchanov.
Has worked with the Cologne WDR Symphony Orchestra, the Yaroslavl Academic Symphony, Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra, Rostov and Tyumen Philharmonic Orchestras, Russian National Orchestra, and Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra.
1st round
W. A. Mozart. Symphony No. 39 in E-flat major, K. 543
1 Adagio – Allegro
S. Rachmaninoff. The Rock, Symphonic Fantasy, Op. 7
2nd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
1 Non Allegro
I. Stravinsky. Suite from the ballet The Firebird
4 Infernal Dance of Kashchei the Immortal
5 Lullaby
6 Finale
3rd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 44
S. Rachmaninoff. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43
Soloist – Stanislav Korchagin
Alexey Aslanov
Russia
Born in 1995 in St. Petersburg. Graduated from the Glinka Choral School and then from the St. Petersburg State Conservatory, where he studied choral conducting with Valentin Nesterov and opera-symphonic conducting with Alexander Polishchuk (2018).
He participated in masterclasses led by Yuri Simonov, Vasily Sinaisky, Bruno Weil, Dorian Wilson, and Teodor Currentzis.
He has conducted the Academic Symphony Orchestras of the North Caucasus State Philharmonic, the Moscow and St. Petersburg Philharmonics, the orchestra of the National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Belarus, the State Symphony Orchestra of the Republic of Tatarstan, among others.
Since the 2018–2019 season, he has been a conductor trainee at the Mariinsky Theatre and is now a guest conductor there.
From 2020 to 2023, he served as Artistic Director of the Sochi Symphony Orchestra. He took part in Denis Matsuev’s Crescendo Festival. Since 2022, he has been the founder, artistic director, and principal conductor of festivals in Sochi, including the First Sochi Classical Music Festival, “Opera Classics in Sochi,” and “Rosa Khutor. Klassika.”
As of 2024, he is a guest conductor of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia.
1st round
S. Rachmaninoff. The Rock, Symphonic Fantasy, Op. 7
L. van Beethoven. Symphony No. 6 in F major Pastoral, Op. 68
1 Erwachen heiterer Empfindungen bei der Ankunft auf dem Lande.
Allegro ma non troppo
2nd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
2 Andante con moto. Tempo di Valse
M. Ravel. Daphnis and Chloe, Suite No. 2, M 57b
1 Lever de jour. Lent
2 Pantomime
3 Danse générale
3rd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphony No. 1 in D minor, Op. 13
S. Rachmaninoff. Piano concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18
Soloist – Arseny Tarasevich-Nikolaev
Sun Yixing
China
Since 2022 Sun Yixing has been studying symphonic and operatic conducting at the China Conservatory with Jin Ye and Li Xincao, while also attending the Saint Petersburg Conservatory under Alexander Polishchuk.
In 2023 he was accepted into the China Conservatory’s “Outstanding Student” program. During his studies, he has taken part in the Conservatory’s “Young Conductor” and “Young Opera Conductor” projects.
He is a laureate of the International Conducting Competition in Milan (2023).
Sun has participated in masterclasses led by Hu Yunyan, Liu Jia, Yang Li, Wang Linlin, Yuan Ding, Vasily Sinaisky, Vasily Petrenko, and Christian Ewald.
He has served as assistant conductor of the China Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and has conducted the Beijing Concert Hall Orchestra, the China Conservatory Symphony Orchestra, the Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra, the symphony orchestras of Tianjin and Jilin, the New Hamburg Philharmonic, the Saint Petersburg Conservatory Symphony Orchestra, and the Donyanyi Academy Orchestra.
1st round
S. Rachmaninoff. The Rock, Symphonic Fantasy, Op. 7
L. van Beethoven. Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Eroica, Op. 55
1 Allegro con brio
2nd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
3 Lento assai — Allegro vivace
C. Debussy. La Mer, Three symphonic sketches, L 109
1 De l’aube à midi sur la mer
3rd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphony No. 1 in D minor, Op. 13
S. Rachmaninoff. Piano concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18
Soloist – Arseny Tarasevich-Nikolaev
Nikolai Tsinman
Russia
Born in 1993 Graduated as a violinist from the Moscow Conservatory under Eduard Grach, and in 2020 from the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music in opera and symphony conducting (class of Andrei Rein).
Laureate of the N. Tlendiyev International Conducting Competition in Astana (2017) and the All-Russian Music Competition in the Opera and Symphony Conducting category (2019).
Participated in masterclasses with Yuri Simonov. From 2018 to 2024 served as assistant conductor of the Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Moscow Philharmonic. Since 2024 principal conductor of the Academic Symphony Orchestra of the North Caucasus Philharmonic.
Guest conductor of the All-Russian Youth Symphony Orchestra. A regular participant in concerts of the “Pritiazhenie” creative association, the St. Petersburg Music House, and the Tavrida Art Cluster.
Has performed with the symphony orchestras of the Bolshoi and Mariinsky Theatres, the Moscow State Academic Symphony Orchestra, the Russian National Orchestra, the “Novaya Rossiya” State Symphony Orchestra, the Svetlanov State Symphony Orchestra of Russia, the Musica Viva Moscow Chamber Orchestra, and others.
1st round
S. Rachmaninoff. The Rock, Symphonic Fantasy, Op. 7
L. van Beethoven. Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92
1. Poco sostenuto — Vivace
2nd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
3. Lento assai — Allegro vivace
M. Ravel. Daphnis et Chloé, Suite No. 2, M. 57b
1. Lever de jour. Lent
2. Pantomime
3. Danse générale
3rd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27
S. Rachmaninoff. Piano concerto No. 4 in G minor, Op. 40
Soloist – Alexey Melnikov
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27
S. Rachmaninoff. Piano concerto No. 4 in G minor, Op. 40
Soloist – Alexey Melnikov
Oleg Khudyakov
Russia
Born in 1994, Oleg Khudyakov studied piano with Valery Pyasetsky at the Central Music School of the Moscow Conservatory, then graduated from the Moscow Conservatory under Sergei Dorensky and completed postgraduate studies with Nina Kogan. He further honed his skills at the Basel Music Academy (Switzerland) under Claudio Martínez Mehner and is currently enrolled in the Master Soloist program there.
In 2022, he entered the Faculty of Opera and Symphony Conducting at the Moscow Conservatory in the class of Anatoly Levin.
He is a laureate of numerous international and Russian piano competitions. As a soloist, he has performed at international festivals such as New Names, Stars on Baikal, Mariinsky Piano Festival and Stars at the Rhine (Basel, Switzerland).
He has appeared at the Moscow Conservatory, Moscow International House of Music, and under the auspices of the Vladimir Spivakov International Charity Foundation.
Khudyakov has performed with the Romanian National Orchestra through AMG’s concert ,programs and tours across Russia, the USA, Europe, and China. He has also played in chamber duos with violinist Daniil Kogan.
1st round
S. Rachmaninoff. The Rock, Symphonic Fantasy, Op. 7
L. van Beethoven. Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major, Op. 60
1. Adagio — Allegro vivace
2nd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
1. Non Allegro
D. Shostakovich. Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47
4. Allegro non troppo
3rd round
S. Rachmaninoff. Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27
S. Rachmaninoff. Piano concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30
Soloist – Alexey Melnikov