FAQ

It is dedicated to preserving the great violin masterpieces of the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods. With a unique commissioned work built on traditional Chinese melodies, the chance for finalists to perform with the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra, and global exposure through livestreaming, it offers musicians a chance to grow artistically while contributing to the revival of traditional arts.

Gold Award US$10,000 · Silver Award US$6,000 · Bronze Award US$3,000 · Best Rendition of the Commissioned Composition US$3,000. One winner each, US$22,000 in total.

Beyond the cash awards, finalists and award winners receive featured interviews broadcast on global television and published across social media in multiple languages. That visibility often leads to international performance invitations and a growing global audience.

Yes. An invitation to the live rounds is a significant achievement. Finalists perform with the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra, are professionally recorded and livestreamed, and can connect with a distinguished jury and peers from around the world.

Violinists of all nationalities born between September 17, 1998 and September 16, 2011 (ages 16–28).

Yes. It is a global event, and the core repertoire is entirely from the European classical tradition. The Commissioned Composition features traditional Chinese melodies, arranged for the Western violin so that any classically trained violinist can express it.

September 16–26, 2027 in New York City. Further schedule details will be announced.

All materials must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 16, 2027. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Applicants are notified by email no later than July 8, 2027.

International contestants obtain their own travel documents and U.S. visas, but qualified contestants may request an invitation letter from the Organizing Committee. Apply early and consult the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Everything is performed from memory, including the Commissioned Composition, except the Beethoven or Brahms sonata with piano in the Preliminary Round. In the live rounds, repeats (including da capo and dal segno) are omitted.

No, unless the Organizing Committee requires a change.

Preliminary: a Paganini Caprice, a complete Bach Partita, a complete Beethoven or Brahms sonata, and a Romantic encore. Semi-Final: a Mozart concerto (No. 3, 4 or 5) with piano, a Romantic showpiece of 8–15 minutes, and the Commissioned Composition. Final: a complete concerto with orchestra by Beethoven, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Sibelius or Tchaikovsky. See the full repertoire.

Yes. Bring original scores for all works, including piano parts, and be ready to provide full scores to the Committee and pianists.

A solo violin work selected and adapted, with permission, from a celebrated piece by Mr. D.F., composer and Artistic Director of Shen Yun Performing Arts. Read more.

It is emailed to qualified contestants six weeks before the Semi-Final Round and must be performed from memory.

Yes, the US$3,000 Best Rendition Award of the Commissioned Composition.

Listening to Shen Yun’s original compositions helps violinists understand the melodic patterns and expressive nuances of traditional Chinese music, leading to a more informed and authentic interpretation.

Submit the online form and materials at reg.ntd.com by June 16, 2027: the completed form (with a guardian’s signature if under 18), a recent 300 dpi color headshot, a copy of a government-issued photo ID, and your application videos.

Non-refundable. Early Bird US$100 by March 16, 2027; Standard US$150 by June 16, 2027.

Three separate sections, in order: (A) a Paganini Caprice; (B) a paired set of movements from a Bach solo sonata (BWV 1001, 1003 or 1005); (C) the first movement of your Final Round concerto. Full details.

Yes. All written repeats are required for the Paganini and Bach in the videos, unlike the live rounds where repeats are omitted.

YouTube links only. Each piece is a single, continuous, unedited take with a running clock visible in frame throughout, hands and face always visible, and one fixed camera angle. Recordings must be from the past 12 months. Live orchestral performances are fine if the soloist is clearly visible and audible.

Yes, labeled in English as Last Name_First Name_Title of the Piece. A single session may be cut into files, but the two Bach movements must be one continuous take in one file.

A jury of world-class violinists and violin educators appointed by the Organizing Committee, including featured judge Professor Rodney Friend, MBE. Decisions are final.

Yes, at no cost. You may bring your own pianist at your own expense.

Yes, with the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra.

Elegant, conservative concert attire. Female contestants wear a full-length gown.

No, these are the contestant’s responsibility, but the Committee recommends New York hotels and practice facilities to qualified contestants.

Yes. Absence forfeits the award and prize.

Founded in New York in 2001, NTD is a global, independent, non-profit Chinese-language television network that now produces content in many languages and reaches about 100 million viewers. Since 2007 it has run a global series of cultural competitions, and it is the exclusive TV media sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. Read more.

No. By applying, contestants agree to the rules. The organizer may livestream, broadcast, record and publicize performances, and NTD holds the copyrights to materials produced during the competition.

It depends on nationality. U.S. citizens and permanent residents: no withholding; winners complete a W-9, receive a 1099-MISC and report the income to the IRS. Non-resident aliens and citizens of other countries: winners complete a W-8 and 30% is withheld; they receive IRS Form 1042-S. A U.S. tax treaty with the winner’s country may reduce or remove the withholding.

The Organizing Committee may revoke eligibility and prizes. It has sole and final authority to interpret the rules and may revise them without notice.

Email violin@ntd.com, call 1-855-561-0888, or write to 129 W 29th Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001 USA.