Music

14-Year-Old Wins C.V. Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Competition

cellist Lucy Wu from Whitefish Bay earned top honors at the 35th iteration of the competition

McKenna Scherer |

TREMENDOUS TALENT. While Middleton, Wisconsin, representation was certainly seen, Whitefish Bay's Lucy Wu rose to the very top to win it all. (Contributed photos)
TREMENDOUS TALENT. Whitefish Bay cellist Lucy Wu rose to the top in the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Competition. (Contributed photo)

Clearly striking all the right notes, 14-year-old Lucy Wu rose to the very top of this year’s Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Competition. In fact, her tremendous talent has been in the making for half her life.

Wu began her cello studies at age 7 and is now a Scholarship Fellow at the Music Institute of Chicago’s Academy, a training center for advanced pre-college musicians, studying with Dr. Stefan Kartman. Kartman earned his bachelor’s of music at Northwestern University School of Music, master’s of music and artist diploma from Juilliard, and his doctorate of musical arts from Rutgers.

Wu entered the competition with the fourth movement of Cello Concerto in E Minor by Edward Elgar, her win earning her $1,300 and the opportunity to perform as the featured soloist with the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra in their Oct. 7 concert.

Runners up included Ella Dorsey of Appleton (piano), second, and Qing Ng of Madison (violin), third place. Other finalists were Alexander Bo of Middleton (piano); Ethan Bo of Middleton (piano); and Sarah Ann Huber of Middleton (piano). Each of the five finalists will also receive cash prizes.

Wu and finalists (left to right): Alex Bo, Wu, Ella Dorsey, Qing Ng, Sarah Ann Huber, and Ethan Bo. (Photo via Facebook)
Wu and finalists (left to right): Alex Bo, Wu, Ella Dorsey, Qing Ng, Sarah Ann Huber, and Ethan Bo. (Photo via Facebook)

Wu made her solo orchestral debut with the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra when she was just 10 years old. She has won numerous awards and competitions over the years, including back-to-back wins of the Milwaukee Concerto Competition in 2019 and 2020, and was a finalist in the most recent Bolz Young Artist Competition which earned her a performance with the Madison Symphony Orchestra, broadcasted on PBS Wisconsin and Wisconsin Public Radio. She has also played in masterclasses for Paul Katz, Guy Johnston, Rachel Frievogel, and others.

While she clearly excels in solo performances, Wu also enjoys chamber music, and currently plays in a piano trio at the MIC academy. This summer she’ll be attending the Ascent International Music Festival at the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music. She previously studied with the Jasper Quarter during her attendance at the Sant Paul Chamber Music Institute in 2021.

The Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra, which plays five concerts per year, also brings in guest artists from across the nation and world to perform with the ensemble.


Keep up with the CVSO on their website and Facebook.