YSC 2019 – 2021 Winners

The New Jersey Wind Symphony congratulates all of the talented finalists of the 2019 – 2020 Youth Soloist Competition.

First Place Winner

Ethan Chang – Clarinet

Ethan Chang is a rising senior at Livingston High School and is the principal clarinetist in the Livingston High School Wind Symphony. He is also a member of the NJSO Academy Orchestra, Region I Orchestra, as well as the NYYS Chamber Music Program. Ethan is the first place winner of the 2020 Crescendo International Competition, 2020 Elite International Competition and was the Gold Prize winner of the NLPA International Young Artist Competition in 2019. He has performed at renowned venues such as the DiMenna Center, NJPAC, Merkin Hall, and Carnegie Hall. Ethan was invited to participate in masterclasses hosted by Pascal Archer, Anne-Marie McDermott, and Toyin Spellman-Diaz. Currently, he studies with Ayako Oshima-Neidich from The Juilliard School.

Second Place Winner

David Rothenberg – Flute

David Rothenberg is a passionate, aspiring flutist. At the age of 17, David, as part of a flute and piano duo, was one of the winners of the prestigious Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s Young Musican’s Program Competition, which was to have culminated in a performance at Alice Tully Hall. In March, David was selected as a finalist for the New Jersey Wind Symphony Youth Soloist Competition, where he won 2nd place. He was also selected to perform in New York All-County and Area All-State Bands, and in multiple chamber music ensembles through the New York University Summer Institute for Woodwind Studies. David also participated in the 2020 Bridgemusik Summer Festival. David has performed in masterclasses for world-renowned flutists such as Keith Underwood, Jasmine Choi, and Carol Wincenc. Some past teachers include Tanya Witek of the New York City Ballet, flute virtuoso Jasmine Choi, and NYU faculty member Soo-Kyung Park. David Rothenberg studies privately under flutist and pedagogue Paula Bing who teaches students at Juilliard, the Music Conservatory of Westchester, and the Rockland Conservatory.

Third Place Winner

Daniel Spielman – Clarinet

Daniel Spielman is a clarinetist who has been a member of the Randolph High School wind ensemble, Pit Orchestra, and Marching Band for four years. He has also been a member of the Jazz Ensemble for three years. He has successfully auditioned into the New Jersey Region 1 Wind Ensemble, Area Band Wind Ensemble, and All-State Symphonic Band. Daniel spent the Summer of 2019 at the Interlochen Arts Camp and played principal clarinet in the World Youth Wind Symphony. He will be studying clarinet performance at Rutgers University.