Naomi Sun (United States)

I’ll always cherish the irreplaceable opportunity I had to perform at the Stars of Tomorrow concert this July. Being in the midst of this diverse group of incredible harpists was very inspiring, and I’m even more honored to have been able to share a renowned stage with them.

Many of those harpists were my role models growing up, so watching the competition live, and being a part of the ambitious atmosphere was enlivening. I deeply admire all the efforts and practice the contestants put in to be there. This was my first internationally anticipated performance as well, and honestly, at first, I was very nervous to share my music with such a high-caliber crowd. However, with the support of my teacher, Mrs. Linda Rollo, and Ms. Jung Kwak backstage, I felt a lot of courage. Thinking back, this moment was a great milestone of growth for me - I discovered a newfound confidence after hearing Mrs. Rollo and Ms. Kwak’s words of encouragement, teaching me that performances aren’t necessarily a test, but rather a chance for a performer to showcase all the hard work they put into refining their music.

Additionally, I’m so grateful to have met the other performers of the Stars of Tomorrow concert. We’re all good friends now and we still keep in touch through an online text groupchat, and I have lots to learn from all of them!

Right now, I’m a freshman at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, studying with

Mrs. Paula Page. I’m working on auditions for summer festivals right now, and learning my repertoire for next semester. I’ll be performing Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro with a chamber orchestra in the spring! 

Elishia Yeung (Canada)

I am so thankful that USAIHC provided me an opportunity to perform at the Stars of Tomorrow concert, it was truly eye-opening and unforgettable. It felt amazing to perform back in person after the pandemic, and I am so honored that Stars of Tomorrow is my first in-person concert after my hiatus.

I normally have minimal stage fright that I can just deal with by fidgeting and taking deep breaths. But I was pacing around the backstage in disbelief, and wiping my palms on my dress 10 minutes before my performance. I didn’t know what made me so nervous, it might be because I was playing in front of world-class maestros that were my idols since forever. However, once I sat down and played, I regained my confidence and remembered why I love performing so much. There were moments where my mind went completely blank, but I still managed to play the section thanks to my muscle memory. The moment where it really hit me was hearing the audience’s applause after the concert. I heard my new friends cheering for me, and I was honestly shocked at how supportive everyone was towards each other. This experience allowed me to meet like-minded music enthusiasts who became my friends. It really was the highlight of my summer.

Currently, I am working on ensemble projects with my school’s music club. We are going to play the Beauty and the Beast soundtrack as a quartet. I am incredibly excited since it is my first time playing in a non-harp ensemble. As of my personal life, I am working on university applications (I applied to 7 schools already!) and also planning school events, such as the winter formal. Last week, I just launched my first-ever business at the school’s fair, which was really out of my comfort zone, but it was incredibly fun! In the future, I will host live charity and senior home concerts as I am always passionate about giving back to the community. I also plan to learn new repertoire in order to play at my school’s graduation ceremony in the following June.

Natalie Lo (Hong Kong)

Performing in the Stars of Tomorrow concert has been one of the most significant experience in my harp journey. I am immensely grateful to have the opportunity to perform in the competition and experience the process. Not only did I get to share my music with the harpists and audiences of the 12th Competition, I also got to bond with the other exceptional young harpists of the Stars of Tomorrow concert. The friendships we have fostered during the competition are deeply precious and meaningful to me.

I am currently a third year music degree student in the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and I always love to create music with other musicians. My current projects include my academy’s harp concert, where I will be performing in a harp quartet, and a duo with my dearest teacher. Later this year, I will be premiering a piece with harp and electronics composed by a fellow composer in the Academy, as I always have a passion for performing contemporary compositions. Other than collaboration projects, I will be organizing my solo graduation recital next year, which will mark the end of my Bachelor of Music degree. 

After my graduation, I would like to further pursue my studies overseas and participate in competitions. Participating in the 12th Competition had given me lots of motivation and inspiration to further work on my playing and interpretation, and I look forward to the 13th Competition.

Momoko Komori (Japan)

I cannot believe that three months passed since the Stars of Tomorrow concert. I am so grateful for the wonderful opportunity. As I reflect now on the event, this experience left me three precious gifts in my mind. 

First of all, needless to say, what made this concert so special was that it was held as a part of the world’s most prestigious competition, USAIHC and it was such an honor to be nominated as one of the performers at the concert. But to be honest, I felt a little intimidated at the same time. However, when my turn to play came, all my concerns vanished because I regained my love and passion for the harp as the hall was filled with warm atmosphere! I appreciated this competition’s loving and welcoming atmosphere that everyone created. Playing the harp in the presence of such harp lovers across the globe was such a special moment for me! In addition, it was such an honor to meet my harp superstars in person! Ever since I started playing the harp, I have been listening to their CDs for millions of times. And at the hall, they were sitting here and there!! How special it was for a harp student to meet the superstars in person! That was such an exciting moment! I will never forget warm and kindest encouragements from each of them. I will cherish their words in my heart!

Finally, it was so nice that I became friends with other Stars of Tomorrow performers. This time, all performers were seventeen years old. Five of us got along soon and talked so much in such a short time. Despite cultural and language differences, we’ve found things we had in common: love for the harp! We’ve found out that we had met at other opportunities, but we didn’t have a chance then to become friends. It was this welcoming atmosphere of the competition that fostered our friendship! Even after the concert, we’ve been chatting a lot through SNS group. How wonderful that now I have friends with whom we work hard together towards our dreams!

As for my updates, I am now a senior at Toho Gakuen Music High School in Tokyo. I am expected to play at a concert with other selected music high school students in November in Tokyo, at a harp ensemble concert in December, and give a graduation exam recital in January. Also, as a part of the Gala Concert of the Osaka International Music competition, I will play at Carnegie Hall in May 2023. I am interested in participating in harp events and masterclasses as well. I cannot wait to see what my next harp journey brings me!  

Janice Hur (South Korea)

First of all, I feel so blessed and lucky to have been invited a second time to the Stars of Tomorrow program this past summer. I remember being incredibly nervous during my first performance in the Stars of Tomorrow program (6 years ago!), as it was my first big international stage; however, this time around, I think I simply enjoyed being able to watch other performances and play on a live stage again [especially after the whole COVID].

Moreover, I feel so grateful that this opportunity has allowed me not only to meet, but personally get to know so many other talented harpists. Shoutout to the other Stars of Tomorrow performers (Naomi, Momoko, Elishia and Natalie)! I still find it surreal that we are still chatting with each other in our 'Stars of Tomorrow' groupchat, updating each other on our lives. 

A brief update on where I am: As a senior in high school, I am in the process of writing college applications and preparing for auditions. I also have an upcoming recital during the summer!! Though quite daunting, I can't wait to graduate this year and start a new chapter of my life at university in 2023! 

Thank you again so much for this opportunity! 

Thank you to everyone who has donated to our Year End Appeal to date. Your donations are valued and appreciated, and together you make it possible for us to stage the 13th Competition in 2025.

There is still time to donate before the end of the year in order to claim a tax deduction. We also have new Membership benefits for you to consider.

We hope that you will consider supporting us, increasing your support, or consider a multi-year pledge. For planned giving options contact [email protected] or 812-856-5715.

Thank you for your support!

Moya Wright

Executive Director