USIMC | USIMC

The Chinese Music Teachers Association of Northern California is an organization established 34 years ago. It is composed of over one hundred professional Chinese musicians and integrates artistic performance, academic seminars, and member networking into one cohesive organization. As 2026 approaches, the Association’s Board of Directors has shared its outlook for the coming year with the media.

The Association’s signature event is the annual United States International Music Competition (USIMC), which has been held for more than 30 years. This year, the competition will take place on August 15–16 at the Music School of Christian Valley School in San Jose. As in previous years, the competition has invited renowned musicians in various instrumental categories to serve as judges.

Newly invited piano judges this year include Dr. Chih-Long Hu, Professor of Piano at the University of Tennessee and a prizewinner of multiple international piano competitions; and Dr. Weicong Zhang, former Professor of Piano at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, who will begin a new appointment this September at the Manhattan School of Music in New York as a member of the piano faculty.

Newly joining the cello jury are Eric Sung, Principal cello of the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra and a faculty member of the Pre-College at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music; and Megan Chartier, an active performing cellist who currently serves as a visiting professor in the Music Department at the University of the Pacific.

The vocal category welcomes renowned soprano Manhua Gao, who has performed leading soprano roles on stages around the world. Also newly invited is Dr. Kerry Jennings, currently a professor of opera at California State University, Fullerton.

For a complete list of judges and their biographies, please visit the official website at www.USIMC.org.

This year’s competition categories include: piano, strings, voice, Chinese instruments, harp, and woodwinds. Awards are divided into the following categories:

1. Young Artist Award
2. Chinese Music Award
3. Special Theme Award (Instrumental – Bach and Beethoven; Vocal – Bach and Schubert)

Based on their results, winners will receive scholarships, or trophies, medals, and certificates. The registration period is from May 1 to June 5. Registration is available online only at www.USIMC.org.

USIMC is the Bay Area’s annual music gala, where hundreds of young musicians gather to showcase their musical talents and embrace new challenges. We warmly welcome young music enthusiasts to participate and display their artistry on this grand stage!

北加州中國音樂教師協會是一個成立了34年，由百餘名專業華人音樂家組成，集藝術表演，學術研討和會員聯誼為一體的團體。在2026年到來之際，協會的理事會與媒體交流了對新的一年的展望。

協會的標誌性事件是一年一度已經持續了30餘年的美國國際音樂大賽 United States
International Music Competition (USIMC），今年該比賽於8月15-16日在聖荷西 Christian Valley School 音樂系舉行。與往年一樣，大賽邀請到各個樂器項目的著名音樂家擔任評委，今年新邀請到的有鋼琴評委田納西大學鋼琴系教授胡啓龍博士，他本人也是多項國際鋼琴比賽的獲獎者。另一位鋼琴評委張薇聰博士曾在上海音樂學院任鋼琴系教授，今年九月將去紐約曼哈頓音樂院履新，任職於鋼琴系。新加入大提琴評委的有舊金山芭蕾舞團樂隊的首席演奏家Eric Sung，他也是舊金山音樂院預科的教師。新請到的大提琴評委Megan Chartier 是活躍於音樂舞台的大提琴家，她目前擔任University of Pacific 音樂系的客座教授。聲樂評委請到了著名女高音歌唱家高曼華，她曾在世界各地許多舞台上擔綱女高音主演。另一位新請到的是Kerry Jennings 博士，目前是加州大學Fullerton分校的歌劇專業的教授。要了解所有評委的名單和介紹，請登錄官網 www.USIMC.org.

今年大賽設立的比賽項目有：鋼琴，弦樂，聲樂，中國樂器, 豎琴和木管樂器，獎項分為 1. 青少年藝術家獎，2. 中國作品演唱演奏獎， 3. 特定作曲家獎（器樂-巴赫和貝多芬，聲樂-巴赫和舒伯特）。根據不同的成績，獲獎者將獲得獎學金或者獎杯獎牌和證書。報名期限為5月1日至6月5日，只提供網上報名，請登錄www.USIMC.org 。

USIMC是灣區的年度音樂盛會，屆時數百名音樂學子聚匯一堂，展示他們的音樂才賦，並接受挑戰，我們歡迎青少年音樂愛好者踴躍參加，到這個大舞台上一展才藝！

2025 Winners List