Fung Second Prize Tchaikovsky Junior Competition

NEC’s Zlatomir Fung Wins Second Prize in Cello Division of Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians

Cellist Zlatomir Fung, a 13-year old student of Emmanuel Feldman in NEC’s Preparatory School, has won second prize in the cello division of the Seventh International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians. He was one of only two Americans honored as laureates in the competition, which was held Sept. 4—15 in Montreux, Switzerland.

A resident of Westborough, MA, Zlatomir is home-schooled through the Oak Meadow Curriculum and School in Brattleboro, VT. He performs in NEC’s Youth Philharmonic Orchestra where he is co-principal cello.

A much honored young musician, Zlatomir has won first prize at the 2012 AFAF International Concerto Competition; first prize at the Fourth Annual Civic Symphony of Boston James R. Powers Concerto Competition; first prize at the 2011 Golden Strings of America AFAF Competition; first prize at the New England Philharmonic Orchestra Young Artist Concerto Competition; first prize at the Walden Chamber Players Young Artist Competition; first prize in NEC’s 2010 Preparatory School Concerto Competition; and first prize at the Young Promise International Music Competition.

Featured on National Public Radio’s From The Top in 2011, Zlatomir is an avid chamber music player. He has studied at music summer programs at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Luzerne Music Center, and Greenwood Music Camp. In his spare time, Zlatomir loves to play chess competitively and to read.

Founded in 1992, the Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians is the largest such competition in the world, with winners including pianist Lang Lang and NEC graduate Narek Hakhnazaryan. Switching locations for each occurrence, the contest has taken place in Russia, China, Japan and Korea—and this year, for the first time, in Europe. Like the senior Tchaikovsky competition, several prize-winners are chosen from each of the instrumental categories—violin, cello, and piano—with a single grand prize given to the musician who is judged best overall. Within the cello category, Zlatomir took second prize honors.

For further information about lessons at the NEC Preparatory School, check the NEC Website.

Recognized nationally and internationally as a leader among music schools, New England Conservatory in Boston, MA offers rigorous training in an intimate, nurturing community to 720 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral music students from around the world.  Its faculty of 225 boasts internationally esteemed artist-teachers and scholars.  Its alumni go on to fill orchestra chairs, concert hall stages, jazz clubs, recording studios, and arts management positions worldwide.  Nearly half of the Boston Symphony Orchestra is composed of NEC trained musicians and faculty.

The oldest independent school of music in the United States, NEC was founded in 1867 by Eben Tourjee. Its curriculum is remarkable for its wide range of styles and traditions.  On the college level, it features training in classical, jazz, contemporary improvisation, world and early music. Through its Preparatory School, School of Continuing Education, and Community Programs and Partnerships Program, it provides training and performance opportunities for children, pre-college students, adults, and seniors.  Through its outreach projects, it allows young musicians to engage with non-traditional audiences in schools, hospitals, and nursing homes—thereby bringing pleasure to new listeners and enlarging the universe for classical music, jazz, and contemporary improvisation.

NEC presents more than 900 free concerts each year, many of them in Jordan Hall, its world- renowned, century-old, beautifully restored concert hall.  These programs range from solo recitals to chamber music to orchestral programs to jazz, contemporary improvisation, and opera scenes.  Every year, NEC’s opera studies department also presents two fully staged opera productions at the Cutler Majestic Theatre or Paramount Theatre in Boston.

NEC is co-founder and educational partner of From the Top, a weekly radio program that celebrates outstanding young classical musicians from the entire country. With its broadcast home in Jordan Hall, the show is now carried by National Public Radio and is heard on 250 stations throughout the United States.

Contact: Ellen Pfeifer
Senior Communications Specialist
New England Conservatory
290 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
617-585-1143
Ellen.pfeifer@necmusic.edu