Justin Kang (17) studies cello with Jamie Kellogg and piano with Snezana Krstic and has been studying both instruments for nine years. 

Justin was awarded the Grand Prize at the 2025 Prodigy International Competition, the 2025 Arizona International Music Competition, and the 2024 Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestras Young Musicians Competition (PYSO YMC). He also received First Prize at the 2025 and 2026 Opus National String Competition and the 2025 Arizona Musicfest String Competition, and second prize at the 2025 MTNA Senior String Competition. As the winner of the PYSO YMC, Justin has appeared as a soloist with The Phoenix Symphony, performing Elgar’s Cello Concerto in 2024 and Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No.1 in 2025. As a pianist, he received Tier 3 Honor of the 2026 AMEA Solo and Ensemble Competition, first prize in the 2022, 2023 & 2024 Arizona Musicfest competitions and second prize in the 2023 MTNA State Piano Competition. Justin is a recipient of the 2024 Tim Banker Talent Development Award from NPR’s From the Top. 

Justin has appeared as a soloist with the Phoenix Symphony, performing Elgar’s Cello Concerto in 2024 and Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No.1 in 2025. He is also a recipient of the 2024 Tim Banker Talent Development Award from NPR’s From the Top.

In the summers, Justin has attended several music festivals, including the 2026 Encore Chamber Music Institute, 2025 Bowdoin International Music Festival, and the 2025 Montecito International Music Festival. Justin also served as principal cellist of the 2024 Boston University Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Orchestra and of the 2023 YOLA National Festival’s Symphony Orchestra conducted by Gustavo Dudamel.

Justin has performed in cello masterclasses with Steven Isserlis, Robert DeMaine, Yoshika Masuda, and Khari Joyner, and has also studied under renowned artists such as Brannon Cho, Valentin Radutiu, Tommy Mesa, Max Geissler, Jonathan Dorman, Edward Arron, Ko Iwasaki, and Patrice Jackson. He has also participated in piano masterclasses with Aviram Reichert, Sean Chen, Alan Chow, Pavlina Dokovska, Douglas Humpherys, Yuri Kot and Elizabeth Pridonoff. 

Beyond performance, Justin is deeply passionate about giving back to his community. He volunteers as a radio program host at Heart and Seoul Gospel Ministries and plays piano and cello during weekly services. At school, Justin is a member of NHS, Tri-M, and Mu Alpha Theta, and serves as a mentor to underclassmen. In his free time, he enjoys music production and playing volleyball.