Participants
Participants Polstjärnepriset
For our Nordic Edition 2027 we received applications from all Nordic countries and the level was very high. Four Nordic jury’s, consisting of distinguished soloists and pedagogues on piano, wind, brass and string instruments, have assessed anonymised sound files and selected the following 20 competitors:
Denmark
Ellen Vognsgaard Brunsbjerg, violin
Emil Dalgaard, piano
Gustav Biel, piano
Julia Smit, viola
Finland
Ellen Herler, viola
Leo Vauhkonen, French horn
Mio Turriago, trumpet
Riku Huuska, violin
Iceland
Alan Stoupel, violin
Norway
Atle Pas, clarinet
Hector Serafin Kraggerud, piano
Henning Haldorsen, violin
Peder Kjerkreit, cello
Sweden
Axel-Ryu Johnsson, violin
Daniel Iourtchik, violin
Emily Carrington, oboe
Esther Scalamonti Marsh, piano
Joachim Tian, piano
Jonatan Frisendahl, trumpet
Viktor Ring, piano
The competitors present themselves here:
Ellen Vognsgaard Brunsbjerg, violin
My name is Ellen Vognsgaard Brunsbjerg and I’m an 18-year-old violinist from Denmark. I have played the violin since the age of four and chose this instrument because I got inspired by my big sister who played the violin. Since then, my passion for music has only grown and I dream of being able to do it for a living. I love the community in classical music and to play with my friends, and inspiring people is something I love the most.
Emil Dalgaard, piano
I’m a pianist living in Kolding, Denmark. I come from a family with 6 children, and I have been playing since I was 8. I started because we had a piano in our living room but nobody played it. It took up quite a lot of space though, and my dad required somebody to start playing it otherwise it would be sold, and that ended up being me. I started playing at my local music school and in 2019 I continued my studies privately at Gradus Junior College with Martin Lysholm Jepsen. Since then, I have played and competed in competitions both nationally and abroad. The thing I love about music though is not the competing itself. It is to be able to share the music and the amount of work it has taken to be able to play the music we do.
Gustav Biel, piano
My name is Gustav, and I am 16 years old. We had an old piano at home when I was a small boy, and my grandfather would often sit me on his lap and play traditional Danish folk music. I began taking piano lessons when I was five years old. I enjoyed learning new pieces as well as experimenting with cords, harmonies and improvisations on my own. I am continually thrilled by the breadth and possibilities of classical music, and I love to share the experience with other musicians and with an audience. I have participated in many different constellations of chamber music, and I especially like the intensity of a combined focus on a common goal.
Julia Smit, viola
I’m a 17-year-old violist currently studying with Asbjørn Nørgaard and Stine Hasbirk Brandt. I was recently accepted to the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen. I have participated in several masterclasses, including IMS Prussia Cove (2024), the Kronberg Academy Violin and Viola Masterclasses (2025) with Tabea Zimmermann, and the NUME Academy and Festival (2026) with Ettore Causa. Among my competition achievements are Gold Medal at the Classical Junior Competition Denmark, and Second Prize at the Danish String Competition (2026). I have received several awards, including the Jacob Gade Foundation Talent Prize (2023), the Copenhagen Summer Festival Talent Prize (2024), and the Carl Nielsen and Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen Talent Prize (2026). In August 2025, I performed the second movement of Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante with Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider and the Danish National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Michael Schønwandt.
Ellen Herler, viola
I began with playing the violin, and at seven, drawn to its rich and expressive sound, I chose the viola as my principal instrument. I have received recognition in numerous solo and chamber music competitions and have performed as a soloist e.g. with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and the Finnish RSO and at Carnegie Hall. In 2025, I was awarded the Pro Musica scholarship. Currently I’m a patronage programme artist of the Finnish Chamber Music Summer Festival. For me, music is both life and love, a way of expressing myself, and I aim to bring a soulful, captivating presence to my interpretations. Besides being a soloist, I also love chamber music as it offers possibilities to create a musical connection with other players.
Leo Vauhkonen, French horn
I study French horn under Jaakko Välimäki at the Youth Department of the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. I have attended several masterclasses including ones with Radek Baborak, Wojciech Kamionka and Jukka Harju. I perform regularly both as a soloist and in orchestras. I won the first prize in Huittisten Hullu Puhallus wind instrument competition 2025 with the VELME-brass quintet. I study orchestral conducting under Jorma Panula and composing under Matthew Whittall. My compositions have been performed in the Musica Nova festival and recorded by the Helsinki Chamber Choir. I chose the French horn because of its distinct and noble sound. As a child I thought it was a cool and shiny instrument when I saw it in the symphony orchestra.
Mio Turriago, trumpet
I started playing the trumpet when I was 5 years old. I chose the trumpet when I got a chance to try it at an instrument presentation and immediately loved it. I enjoy playing the trumpet, especially because it’s a very versatile instrument. I have had the chance to play the trumpet as a soloist, in symphony orchestra, wind orchestra, brass quintet and even in big-band or different jazz assemblies. I have participated in various courses and festivals, and I have attended YOMA since the autumn of 2024. I have also taken part in a few competitions in Finland and Lithuania.
Riku Huuska, violin
My name is Riku, and I’m a 16-year-old violinist from Finland. Music is an important part of my everyday life. I play solo and with my friends. I also play in a symphony orchestra and chamber music in a string quartet. I play classical music because it enables me to express many things without words and hopefully please people. I don’t remember much of why and when I started playing because I was so young, but I love the sound of the violin. In my free time, I listen to music, play and watch sports and spend time with my friends and family.
Alan Stoupel, violin
I am Alan Stoupel, a violinist representing Iceland. Growing up in a musical family in Berlin, music was my first language. I am fascinated by different spoken and musical languages. I am fluent in three languages and studying three more, including Swedish, but playing an instrument remains my favorite way to communicate. While I am competing on the violin, I am also a percussionist. My greatest passion lies in chamber music and I absolutely love the complex textures of a score and playing the rich inner voices, especially on the viola! Currently studying at the Peabody Institute and Baltimore School for the Arts, I love coming to YOMA to make music with my friends.
Atle Pas, clarinet
My name is Atle Pas, and I am a 15-year-old clarinettist from Norway. Growing up with a musical family, I have always been surrounded by music, and I was always given the chance to try out different instruments. In the end, through much trial and error, there was only one instrument that truly spoke to me. So, the clarinet it was, an instrument of passion. Making music for me is like dancing, expressing emotions through the movement of the music. Experimenting with dynamics and colours, creating beautiful or tragic pictures for an audience as I explore the depths of different composers’ masterpieces. However, more than anything, I play for myself. Letting myself enjoy the wonders of classical music.
Hector Serafin Kraggerud, piano
I come from a family of musicians, most of them play string instruments. Classical music has always been a large part of my life. I am the only pianist in the house, and I am very happy about that. I could never imagine playing any other instrument; it is the piano that I love. Why am I so incredibly fond of the piano? I have thought about this a few times. Is it the sound? Is it the fact that it is such a mighty large instrument, that it can sound like a whole orchestra, yet still have the most vulnerable and finest melodies? I think it is the combination of all these factors that makes this instrument special for me.
Henning Felde Haldorsen, violin
My name is Henning Felde Haldorsen, and I am a Norwegian violinist from Bergen. I started playing the violin when I was five years old, and since then, music has become an important part of my life. What motivates me most is the opportunity to play some of the greatest music ever written. Classical music allows me to express emotions, tell stories, and connect with audiences in a unique way. I enjoy exploring the masterpieces of great composers, and I am always inspired by the depth and beauty of their music. I currently study with Alf Richard Kraggerud at the Barratt Due Institute of Music in Oslo and am a scholarship recipient at the Academy of Music in Liechtenstein. Since the age of eleven, I have also participated in several YOMA gatherings and projects, which have given me valuable musical experiences and the opportunity to work with inspiring teachers and talented young musicians from different countries. My goal is to continue developing as a musician, sharing great music with audiences, and bringing the beauty of classical violin repertoire to as many people as possible.
Peder Kjerkreit, cello
My name is Peder Kjerkreit, and I am a 17-year-old cellist from Norway. I fell in love with classical music at an early age, and the cello has been my instrument for as long as I can remember. I have stuck with my instrument and still enjoy unpacking my cello on a daily basis. Classical music touches me deeply and has become a cornerstone in my life.
Axel-Ryu Johnsson, violin
I am a 17-year-old Swedish-Japanese violinist. Growing up, I listened to my older sister practicing the violin, and that is what made me want to start playing myself. I studied at music school Lilla Akademien for 10 years and am now continuing my music education at Nordiska Musikgymnasiet. What has always fascinated me about the violin is its variety of sounds and tones. Every piece of music feels like a different story, and I am always trying to find my own way of telling it. Outside of music I enjoy playing football and basketball and I have a great interest in cooking.
Daniel Iourtchik, violin
I started playing the violin when I was around five years old. Both of my parents are professional musicians, my father is a violinist and my mother is a flutist and church musician. My older brother also plays the violin, so it was natural for me to start playing as well. I love playing the violin and classical music, and I want to become a professional musician in the future.
Emily Carrington, oboe
I’m a Swedish-English oboist, born in Slovenia, and began playing the oboe at the age of nine. I’ve always loved the instrument’s unique sound and its important role in the orchestra. I particularly enjoy making music with others and sharing my passion for classical music through performance. I’m currently studying at The Purcell School for Young Musicians in London with James Turnbull and Melanie Ragge. I’ve performed with several youth orchestras including Stoneleigh Youth Orchestra and as an associate of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. Although I live and study in England, it is important to me to maintain a strong connection with my Swedish heritage, and I’m keen to perform and remain involved with Sweden’s musical culture.
Esther Scalamonti Marsh, piano
I have played the piano since I was four years old. Growing up with a piano at home, music has always been a part of my life. I have taken part in music competitions and festivals since I was 7 and have received several awards. I love how the piano creates the feeling that the instrument controls everything and how its wide range of notes makes the music deeper. Classical music makes me happy in many ways. I enjoy the chemistry between the musicians in small ensembles and the buildup of tension and intensity of a piece that then resolves. That resolving of the tension creates a special feeling, and I want to spread that feeling through my piano playing.
Joachim Tian, piano
My name is Joachim, and I am a pianist with a strong passion for classical music. I have been playing the piano for as long as I can remember. I started playing the piano when I was around 5 years old. My parents bought me a digital synthesizer, and I quickly fell in love with it and so I started playing the piano. Over time, I discovered classical music and became inspired by the beauty, complexity, and creativity of the repertoire. I enjoy learning new pieces, improving my technique, and sharing music with others through performances. Playing the piano has taught me patience, discipline, and confidence. I especially appreciate how classical music can tell stories and create powerful feelings. I look forward to continuing my musical journey and developing as a pianist.
Jonatan Frisendahl, trumpet
My name is Jonatan, and I have been playing the trumpet since I was six years old. At first, my parents encouraged me to start playing, and I was not always enthusiastic about it. Over time, however, I discovered how much I enjoy making music and expressing myself through my instrument. Today, playing the trumpet is one of my greatest passions. I especially enjoy classical music because of its beauty, emotional depth, and the challenges it offers as a musician. Music has taught me discipline, creativity, and confidence, and I love sharing it with others through performances. I look forward to continuing my musical journey and growing as a trumpet player.
Viktor Ring, piano
Growing up in Uppsala with two violinist parents, music was always part of my life. I played violin from an early age, but at twelve I lost interest. Then I heard piano with a live orchestra for the first time. It was magic, and I knew immediately that was my instrument. I began my studies at Kulturskolan Uppsala under Lilia Suskyan, who gave me the foundation to continue at Lilla Akademien in Stockholm, where I study today under Johan Fröst. For me classical music is the ultimate form of human expression. What I love most about performing is how honestly one’s personality reveals itself to an audience. I believe a performance, when truly committed to, can create a genuine bond between performer, listener and composer, something almost impossible to find elsewhere. I strive to be as honest and giving as possible, offering the audience not just music but a real human experience.