Classic Cello Prizewinners Jung-A Kim and Park Yi Joon Receive 2026 IMA Music Award Encouragement Award
The IMA Music Award Ceremony took place on 22 August 2026 at the Exchange Hall of the Ishikawa Prefectural Music Hall in Kanazawa, Japan. During the ceremony, award certificates were presented by Ishikawa Governor Yukiyoshi Yamano, who also serves as Chairman of the IMA Executive Committee.
Within the cello division, the 2026 IMA Music Award Encouragement Award was presented to Jung-A Kim and Park Yi Joon, recognizing their outstanding artistic achievements and exceptional promise as emerging international performers. The award is one of the distinctions associated with the renowned Ishikawa Music Academy, an institution dedicated to supporting and developing the next generation of world-class musicians.
For Jung-A Kim, the recognition adds to a remarkable year that has already included winning First Prize at the Classic Cello International Competition in London and joining the roster of IMG Artists, one of the world's leading artist management agencies. Her rapid rise continues to attract international attention, confirming her status as one of the most exciting young cellists of her generation.
Park Yi Joon, winner of Second Prize at Classic Cello 2026, also continues to build an impressive international profile. Receiving the IMA Music Award Encouragement Award places him among a select group of young musicians recognized for their exceptional talent and future potential on the international stage.
The fact that both cello award recipients at the 2026 IMA Music Awards are also among the top prizewinners of the Classic Cello International Competition highlights the exceptional level of artistry demonstrated by this year's competitors. Their recognition in Japan further reflects the growing international impact of the competition and the success of its laureates across the global classical music scene.