Emily Hwang

Young Artist Competition Winner

Emily Hwang, 16, is a junior at Gunn High School. She began playing viola at the age of 8 under Sujung Seok, and currently studies with Dimitri Murrath at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Pre-College Division. 

Emily was the California winner of the 2019 MTNA State Competition in the Junior Strings category, and was named alternate winner of the 2020 MTNA National Competition, Southwest division. She received 2nd place at the 2021 Houston International Music Competition, the 2020 ENKOR International Strings Competition, and the 2021 ASTA San Francisco Solo Competition, and has also been chosen to perform on NPR’s “From the Top" radio show.

As a soloist, Emily performed with the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra in 2017, and was given the opportunity to play with the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra at their 2018 Gala Concert. 

In 2020, Emily's Bravi string quartet, formed at the Young Chamber Musicians program, received 1st prize at the International Grande Music Competition. She has been a member of the Contemporary Music Ensemble and the Youth Baroque Ensemble at SFCM, and served as principal violist in the 2019 California All-State Junior High Orchestra.

She participated in the 2019 Music@Menlo Young Performers program, and in the 2020 and 2021 Morningside Music Bridge Festivals, where she had the opportunity to work with violists Steve Tenenbom, Kim Kashkashian, Hsin-yun Huang, Teng Li, Yu Jin, Atar Arad, and Paul Coletti. She has also performed for violists Nobuko Imai, Yura Lee, and Ayane Kozasa.

Emily has been performing in Nahnoom Benefit Concerts for the Red Cross Disaster Relief since 2014, and joined the San Francisco division of Back to Bach project in 2019, which introduces classical music to young children. She also takes part in the Bridges in Music program, sharing music with senior communities. 

Besides playing the viola, Emily enjoys writing, ballet, and spending time with her family and friends.