Tae-Yeon Kim Claims Second Prize at 2026 Queen Elisabeth Competition
Congratulations to cellist Tae-Yeon Kim, Curtis’ Jacqueline du Pré Memorial Fellow, for winning second prize at the 2026 Queen Elisabeth Competition. The competition’s final round was held this past Saturday, May 30 in Brussels.
The 20-year-old cellist—the youngest of 12 finalists—received a cash prize of 20,000 euros ($23,300). She will join the winner’s concert tour beginning in Brussels on June 10, followed by performances in major cities across Belgium.
For her final performance, Kim played Chinese American composer Fang Man’s commissioned work Four Odes to the Tidings of Flowers, as well as Witold Lutoslawski’s Cello Concerto, with the Belgian National Orchestra. To watch her perform, click the video below.
About the Queen Elisabeth Competition
Founded in 1937, the Queen Elisabeth Competition is widely regarded as one of the top three international music competitions, alongside the Chopin and Tchaikovsky competitions. It rotates annually among violin, voice, cello, and piano disciplines, with this year dedicated to cello.
Learn more about Tae-Yeon’s win.
