Curtis Welcomes 46 New Incoming Students for the 2026–27 School Year
“When you’re studying at Curtis, your experience will challenge you to engage with your own humanity. It’s very personal in a way that allows you to deepen your creativity.” —Mekhi Gladden (Oboe ’22)
Last week, Gladden offered their insights to new incoming Curtis students during a special keynote address. Included as part of orientation—a staple of the new student experience—Gladden’s address encouraged students to embrace their new creative community and find joy in music-making.
We are thrilled to welcome our new 2026–27 cohort to Curtis. These 46 young musicians, ages seven to 26, join us from six different countries and 14 U.S. states to hone their artistry and further their futures at Curtis.
Other highlights from this year’s week-long orientation program included a:
- picnic lunch with school President Roberto Díaz,
- workshops on financial planning and student leadership opportunities,
- presentation on stress management by Laura Dwyer, a renowned flautist and meditation instructor
- sunrise yoga and a 5K fun run, and
- a trip to the Franklin Institute, Philly’s science museum named after Benjamin Franklin
We hope this program helps lay the foundation for students to continue to evolve—and begin a meaningful chapter of their lives here at Curtis.
We’re excited to start the new academic year with these young artists, and we wish them an inspiring and transformative year ahead.
Curtis’ 2026–27 New Incoming Students
VIOLIN
Maria Jojatu, Bob and Caro Rock Fellow
Gaeun Kim, Curtis Institute of Music Fellow
Chaeyeon Lee, Florence R. Laden Memorial Fellow
Justin Saulnier, Mary Louise Curtis Bok Fellow
Xingchi Shen, Curtis Institute of Music Fellow
VIOLA
Hehe Qi, Harold and Helene Schonberg Fellow
Haixin Wan, Demeng Foundation Fellow
Michelle Jieun Yoo, Margaret Aull Wynne and Milly E. Wynne Fellow
CELLO
Ninah Chan, Curtis Institute of Music Fellow
Sieun Park, Bernice and Howard Levinson Fellow
Eiline Tai, Curtis Institute of Music Fellow
Shangzhou Xia, Curtis Institute of Music Fellow
Ziyu Zhang, Curtis Institute of Music Fellow
DOUBLE BASS
Rosalyn Shin, Gie and Lisa Liem Fellow
Zichen Zhang, Curtis Institute of Music Fellow
STRING QUARTET (Poiesis Quartet)
Sarah Ying Ma, violin, Nina von Maltzahn String Quartet Fellow
Coco Mi, violin, Nina von Maltzahn String Quartet Fellow
Jasper de Bor, viola, Nina von Maltzahn String Quartet Fellow
Drew Dansby, cello, Nina von Maltzahn String Quartet Fellow
OBOE
Hingyi Cui, Curtis Institute of Music Fellow
CLARINET
Taig Egan, Mark and Esther Kramer Fellow
Brian Zhao, Jeanette S. Epstein Memorial Fellow
BASSOON
Damian Carrasco-Alvarado, Curtis Institute of Music Fellow
Hyun Jung Kim, Cecilia Segawa Fellow
TROMBONE
Elijah Baker, Curtis Institute of Music Fellow
Beanie Lee, William W. Bernheim Fellow
TRUMPET
Ori Krakowski, Curtis Institute of Music Fellow
HORN
Isabella Craig, Curtis Institute of Music Fellow
Grace Doerr, Allerton Foundation Fellow
Saeanna Feuer, Curtis Institute of Music Fellow
FLUTE
Karen Kobayashi, Curtis Institute of Music Fellow
Enhan Li, Reaumur and Mary Corrin Winston Fellow
GUITAR
Bihan Ren, Curtis Institute of Music Fellow
CONDUCTING
Samuel Kerr, Rita E. Hauser Conducting Fellow
COMPOSITION
T. Gregory Bloomfield, Edwin B. Garrigues Fellow
Liam Cummins, Anderson and Daria Pew Fellow
ORGAN
Ted Babbitt, Stephanie Yen-Mun Liem Azar Fellow
PIANO
Zexi Dong, Curtis Institute of Music Fellow
Yang Jack Gao, Karolyn Kirksey Holler Fellow
Olivia Li, Curtis Institute of Music Fellow
Yixin Shen, Curtis Institute of Music Fellow
VOCAL STUDIES
Abigail Arnold, Alice Madge and William J. Middleton Fellow
Eva Capron, Myer and Helen K. Schwartz Fellow
Ethan Elsbernd, David H. Springman Memorial Fellow
Theo Harrah, Charles and Judith Freyer Fellow in Voice
Jack Hicks, Lester Henry Grundy Fellow
