We are proud to share the results of the 2026 GMTA State Auditions, where WPMA students in grades 2-12 earned outstanding recognition across the Strings and Piano divisions. From Conference Recitalist honors to Awards of Excellence, this year’s results reflect the dedication of our students and the exceptional teaching of our faculty.
Congratulations to every student who competed — and to the teachers who prepared them.
Instrumental Concerto — Grades 9–11
Arsheya Singh, OP – 2nd Alternate, student of Amy Chang
Caleb Mani, Outstanding Performer, student of Martin Gueorguiev
Chloe Kim, Award of Excellence, student of Jian Shang
Eamon Li, Honorable Mention, student of Martin Gueorguiev
Elsye Santoso, Award of Excellence, student of William Pu
Hamin You, Outstanding Performer, student of William Pu
Ian Chan, Outstanding Performer, student of William Pu
James Lee, Award of Excellence, student of William Pu
Jiayu Wang, Honorable Mention, student of Jian Shang
Mia Jiang, Award of Excellence, student of Amy Chang
Preston Schlotman, Outstanding Performer, student of Martin Gueorguiev
Rebekah Lee, Honorable Mention, student of Jian Shang
Stella Yi, Honorable Mention, student of Amy Chang
Instrumental Concerto — Grades 6–8
Adam Kim, Honorable Mention, student of Amy Chang
Allison Goh, Honorable Mention, student of Amy Chan
Ellie Kim, Honorable Mention, student of Jian Shang
Franklin Sun, Award of Excellence, student of Martin Gueorguiev
Jisoo Lee, OP – 2nd Alternate, student of William Pu
Priya Srinivasan, Honorable Mention, student of Martin Gueorguiev
Shawn Ji, Honorable Mention, student of Martin Gueorguiev
Strings — Grade 12
Ethan Nie, Outstanding Performer, student of Martin Gueorguiev
Strings — Grade 10/11
Arsheya Singh, OP – 2nd Alternate, student of Amy Chang
Caleb Mani, Award of Excellence, student of Martin Gueorguiev
Eamon Li, Honorable Mention, student of Martin Gueorguiev
Elsye Santoso, Outstanding Performer, student of William Pu
Ethan Goh, OP – Conference Recitalist, student of Martin Gueorguiev
Ian Chan, OP – 1st Alternate, student of William Pu
James Lee, Award of Excellence, student of William Pu
Jiayu Wang, Honorable Mention, student of Jian Shang
Preston Schlotman, Award of Excellence, student of Martin Gueorguiev
Rebekah Lee, Award of Excellence, student of Jian Shang
Piano — Grade 10
Muyao Chen, Award of Excellence, student of Sunghun Kim
Strings — Grade 8/9
Adam Kim, Award of Excellence, student of Amy Chang
Annika Bakthavachalam, Honorable Mention, student of William Pu
Chloe Kim, Award of Excellence, student of Jian Shang
Franklin Sun, OP – Conference Recitalist, student of Martin Gueorguiev
Hamin You, OP – 1st Alternate, student of William Pu
Joanne Alexander, Honorable Mention, student of William Pu
Maya Srinivasan, Award of Excellence, student of William Pu
Mia Jiang, Outstanding Performer, student of Amy Chang
Shawn Ji, Honorable Mention, student of Martin Gueorguiev
Stella Yi, OP – 2nd Alternate, student of Amy Chang
Varun Krishnan, Award of Excellence, student of Martin Gueorguiev
Strings — Grade 6/7
Ellie Kim, Award of Excellence, student of Jian Shang
Emily Ann Klayman, OP – 2nd Alternate, student of William Pu
Jisoo Lee, OP – 1st Alternate, student of William Pu
Minha Kim, Honorable Mention, student of William Pu
Priya Srinivasan, Award of Excellence, student of Martin Gueorguiev
Strings — Grade 4/5
Alex Kim, OP – 2nd Alternate, student of Martin Gueorguiev
Ellie Kim, Honorable Mention, student of Amy Chang
Fujia Li, Honorable Mention, student of Jian Shang
Taylor Cui, Award of Excellence, student of William Pu
Strings — Grade 2/3
Nora Merchant, OP – 2nd Alternate, student of William Pu
Yijoon Kim, Award of Excellence, student of Jian Shang
About the GMTA Competition
The Georgia Music Teachers Association is a nonprofit organization of over 700 independent and collegiate music teachers throughout the state, committed to furthering the art of music through programs that encourage and support teaching, performance, and scholarly research. The State Auditions recognize the top students across various instrumental disciplines from grades 2 through 12, and represent the final level of a multi-round competitive process that begins at the local and regional levels. Outstanding Performer is the highest award given at the state level, and only one student per grade level per division is selected as Conference Recitalist — an honor that includes a performance at the fall GMTA Conference.
About William Pu Music Academy
The William Pu Music Academy is a private, award-winning, conservatory-style music academy in Atlanta. WPMA offers music education programming taught by the finest musicians and pedagogues in all of Georgia. In addition to taking 1-on-1 instrument lessons with highly-trained faculty, students at WPMA study music theory & sight-reading, participate in monthly recitals, studio classes, masterclasses with guest artists, and perform in chamber and orchestra ensembles. Academy students receive a rich and comprehensive music education, supported by a dedicated faculty. In this environment distinguished by its community and learning opportunities, WPMA students frequently compete and succeed in state and nation-wide auditions. Learn more about WPMA and previous student achievements at wpmusicacademy.com.
