Lorraine C. Lippert Young Artist Concerto Competition 2026-27
The Pittsburgh Philharmonic invites auditions from musicians
19 years old or younger performing on strings, brass,
woodwinds, percussion, or harp.
The winner will be invited to perform with The Pittsburgh Philharmonic Sunday, March 7, 2027 at the Greater Pittsburgh Masonic Center!
Saturday, November 7, 2026, by appointment
PYCO School of Music
150 Lake Drive Wexford PA 15090
The winner will receive a $300.00 scholarship.
For more information about eligibility and application, click the links below!
Rules and Policies
Lorraine C. Lippert Young Artist Concerto Competition Application
The Lorraine C. Lippert Young Artist Concerto Competition has been established to honor Lorraine’s love of music, orchestra and violin. The annual scholarship will help fund the education of a young up and coming talented musician from the greater Pittsburgh area. The Pittsburgh Philharmonic invites musicians 19 years old or younger performing on strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion or harp to participate. Applicants must be residents of Allegheny, Butler, Beaver, Washington, or Westmoreland Counties to audition.
2025 Lorraine C. Lippert Young Artist Concerto Competition Winner
Albert Dong, Cello
Albert Dong, 16, is a cellist originally from Washington state who began studying cello at age 7 after moving to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At 12, he joined the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra (PYSO), where he studied under Adam Liu and served as principal cellist since 2023. This summer, Albert was selected to join the National Youth Orchestra (NYO2) in New York and their tour of the Dominican Republic.
He made his solo debut at age 15, performing Dvořák’s Cello Concerto at Heinz Hall after winning the PYSO Concerto Competition. Albert is a prizewinner of a multitude of national and international competitions, including the Young Soloist International Music Competition, the Bach International Music Competition, and the American Virtuoso International Music Competition. His performances have taken him to renowned venues such as Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh, Casa da Música in Porto, Portugal, and multiple venues across China.
Albert has performed in masterclasses and taken lessons with distinguished artists including Hai-Ye Ni, John Koen, Mark Livshits, and Kimberly Fischer, among others. In addition to solo and orchestral playing, Albert is an avid chamber musician, performing with the “Red Spruce Quartet”, his chamber group, throughout the Pittsburgh area in volunteer events and competitions. Beyond music, Albert engages in neuroscience research at the University of Pittsburgh. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis.