Meet the Winners of Discover Classical’s 2024 Talent Search

Annie Li, 16 years old, violin, Mason

Li has played violin as far afield as the Sydney Opera House, the Chicago Symphony Center and in our own capital. She is a sophomore at Mason High School and a member of the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra. She previously performed with the Cincinnati Junior Strings Orchestra. In addition to performing with the CYSO, Li performs with his high school’s chamber orchestra. She has also been honored in several competitions, including a first prize in the Grand Prix Virtuoso International Concerto Competition (2023), a Dayton Music Club scholarship (2023 and 2024), and a semi-finalist in the Tri-State Overture Awards (2022).

Evelyn Ni, 15 years old, piano, mason

Ni has been playing the piano for 10 years. She is a freshman at Cincinnati Country Day School and credits her teacher, Benita Tse-Leung, for helping her discover the beauty of music. In addition to playing the piano, Ni enjoys singing, coding, and working on graphic design and social media posts for her school clubs and organizations. In the future, she wants to work in the field of business and economics.

Christina Taylor, 17, violin, Dayton

Taylor has been playing violin for 14 years and is co-concertmaster of the Springfield Youth Symphony Orchestra. She also performs with the Fairborn Regional Orchestra. She has won the Grand Cup and Presidents Cup at OFMC Festival events and consistently receives top marks over the 13 years she has competed at this festival. She also received an honorable mention for the David L. Pierson Concerto Competition. She also enjoys art classes, horseback riding, cooking, reading, and spending time with her pets. Her future goals include pursuing a degree in psychology.

Alice Zheng, 11 years old, piano, mason

Zheng, a fifth grader at Mason Intermediate School, discovered her passion for music at age 5 when she began learning piano from Dr. Yali Luo in Arizona. After joining Mason in 2022, she continued her pianistic journey with Dr. Benita Leung. She has received top prizes in competitions such as the 2022 Carmel Klavier International Piano Competition for Young Artists, the 2023 Ohio MTA Audition Festival, the 2023 Nathaniel Patch Piano Competition, and the 2023 Solo Piano Competition. ensemble OMTA/Graves 2024. She also likes reading, crafting, playing computer games and learning the violin for fun.

In addition to this year’s winners, percussionist Jackson Riffle, winner of the 2016 Young Talent Search and the first percussionist to win the award, will deliver a special performance. Riffle is a performer, educator, composer and arranger from Pleasant Hill. He received his Bachelor of Music degree with a concentration in piano and percussion from Wright State University and his Master of Music degree from the University of Georgia.

Riffle has also appeared as a soloist with numerous ensembles and has appeared with the Charleston Symphony, Huntsville Symphony, Augusta Symphony, Springfield Symphony, Richmond Symphony Orchestra, Carmel Symphony Orchestra and Ozark Opera Orchestra. As a composer, he is on staff with Fannin Musical Productions, published by Tapspace, C. Alan and Bachovich, and writes for schools and marching bands across the United States.

The gala will begin with a VIP reception from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. allowing guests to meet the winners and toast champagne. Doors open for the main event at 6:45 p.m., which includes hearty hors d’oeuvres, free beer and wine, a raffle, and performances by the winners and Riffle. Cocktail attire is required.

Daniel J. Curran Place is located at 1700 S. Patterson Blvd. Valet parking is available and parking is in Lot R1.

General admission tickets are notably priced at $150. For tickets or more information, call 937-222-9377 or visit discoverclassical.org.