The Thomas & Evon Cooper Competition
Cooper International Competition
Edna Unseld, first-place winner of the 2025 competition, performs Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with ProMusica Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Norman Huynh.
Photo credit: Yevhen Gulenko
Founded in 2010, the Thomas and Evon Cooper International Competition is dedicated to presenting an important international competitive opportunity to outstanding young musicians.
The “Cooper Competition” at Oberlin, sponsored by Thomas and Evon Cooper, alternates annually between piano and violin. Open to musicians between the ages of 13 and 18, the competition culminates in a final round where the top three competitors perform a full concerto with orchestra. Cash prizes total $40,000, including a $20,000 first prize.
Violin 2026
The performance rounds for the 2026 Cooper International Competition for violinists will take place Thursday, August 6 through Monday, August 10. Young violinists (ages 13–18) who have not yet enrolled in college, and who have not won one of the top three prizes in a previous Cooper competition are eligible to perform.
Photo by Yevhen Gulenko.
News and Updates
Edna Unseld wins the 2025 Cooper International Competition for Violin
The 13 year-old violinist from Switzerland claims top honors in competition with her performance of full violin concerto with ProMusica chamber Orchestra in Finney Chapel.
Cooper Competition for Violin to Take Place in January 2025
The Thomas and Evon Cooper International Competition will bring some of the world’s most talented young violinists to the campus of Oberlin College and Conservatory in January 2025. It features assistance for participants and a generous prize package.
Two Share Top Prize at the 2023 Cooper International Piano Competition
For the first time in the history of the Cooper International Competition for piano, the top prize was awarded to two participants.
Past Competitions
Media Galleries
Video Playlist: 2023 Piano Finals
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Contact
General Information:
Anna Hoffmann
Program Administrator
direct: 440-775-8044
fax: 440-775-8942
ahoffman@oberlin.edu
Media:
Shelly Rasmussen
Publicity and Marketing Manager
Oberlin Conservatory of Music
440-775-5474
srasmuss@oberlin.edu
A Member of the Alink-Argerich Foundation since 2006.
About Oberlin Conservatory
Oberlin Conservatory of Music offers rigorous programs designed to prepare students for professional lives as performers, composers, scholars, and teachers. We welcome talented music students with demonstrated records of achievement to apply.
Photo credit: Kevin Reeves