William Pu Music Academy is proud to celebrate the achievements of our students and alumni who earned top recognition at the 2025 Atlanta Festival Academy (AFA) Young Artist Competition last month. This biannual event brought together some of the most promising young musicians from around the world with contestants flying from San Francisco to London, offering them the opportunity to perform before distinguished international jurors and compete for prestigious prizes.
This year’s competition was particularly meaningful for WPMA, as four of our musicians were honored across two divisions, affirming both their individual artistry and the strength of our academy’s training.
Young Artist Division: Didi Stone
WPMA alumna and violinist Didi Stone (19), won the 2nd Prize in the competition’s Young Artist Division, the most competitive tier of the event designed for outstanding young musicians preparing for professional careers in the world of music. Didi currently studies violin at the conservatory level at the Schwob School of Music. His success is not only a reflection of his years of hard work and dedication but also an inspiration for current WPMA students who follow in his footsteps.
Senior Division: Hamin You, Ellie Kim, and Fisher Yu
The Senior Division highlighted the talent of three of our current students: violinist Hamin You (14), violinist Ellie Kim (14), and violist Fisher Yu (14). Hamin took home the 1st Prize while Ellie and Fisher took home the 3rd and 4th prizes, respectively. For all three, these awards serve as milestones along their artistic journeys and affirm their dedication to growth as performers.
AFA and WPMA’s Shared Mission
The Atlanta Festival Academy’s Young Artist Competition is more than a contest; it’s a platform for emerging musicians to be heard, challenged, and encouraged by world-class artists. Many of the jurors—including internationally recognized violinist Herbert Greenberg and pianist Ben Kim—later returned to WPMA to lead masterclasses for competition prizewinners. This direct connection between competition success and mentorship ensures that recognition is paired with meaningful artistic development.
This year’s competition also caught the attention of reputable media outlets such as The Strad and The Violin Channel.
At WPMA, we believe that moments like these exemplify the transformative power of music education. By combining rigorous training, performance opportunities, and mentorship from leading musicians, we prepare our students not just for competitions on international stages but for a lifetime of artistry.
Continuing a Tradition of Excellence
We congratulate Didi, Hamin, Ellie, and Fisher on their well-deserved success at the AFA Young Artist Competition. They join a long line of WPMA students and alumni who have distinguished themselves on local, national, and international stages. Their achievements reflect not only personal dedication but also the supportive community of teachers, peers, and families that nurtures their growth.
As we celebrate their accomplishments, we look forward to seeing how they—and future WPMA students—will continue to shape the musical landscape with their talent, discipline, and passion.
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.
