For four decades, the Klein Competition has championed the world's finest young string players through professional and performance skills, providing performance opportunities, monetary support, and a community for their growth.
Recent News
Klein Alumni Accomplishments
Congratulations to our 2026 laureates!
Meet our 2026 Semifinalists!
2026 Prize Additions
Upcoming Events
Performances with our partners and community featuring our laureates
Julia Schilz with Master Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra
October 17 & 18, 2026
Palo Alto & Los Altos, CA
After winning first place in the 2025 Klein Competition, violinist Julia Schilz returns to play Beethoven’s violin concerto with Master Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra.
Starla Breshears & Elizabeth Dorman at Maybeck Studio
January 9, 2027
Berkeley, CA
Tickets to come
After winning the inaugural Jacqueline du Pré prize for best performance of a sonata in 2026, cellist Starla Breshears plays a recital with pianist Elizabeth Dorman at Maybeck Studio.
Julia Schilz with Peninsula Symphony
January 9 & 10, 2027
Campbell and San Mateo, CA
After winning first place in the 2025 Klein Competition, violinist Julia Schilz returns to play Bruch’s violin concerto with Peninsula Symphony.
Pearl de la Motte with Santa Cruz Symphony
April 3 & 4, 2027
Santa Cruz, CA
After winning first place in the 2024 Klein Competition, violist Pearl de la Motte returns to play William Walton’s viola concerto with Santa Cruz Symphony.
Starla Breshears with Musical Masterworks
April 24 & 25, 2027
Old Lyme, CT
After winning first place in the 2026 Klein Competition, cellist Starla Breshears joins Musical Masterworks to play Mendelssohn’s string octet.
James Birch with San José Chamber Orchestra
May 2, 2027 @ 7pm
San José, CA
After winning second place in the 2026 Klein Competition, violinist James Birch returns to play Mozart Violin Concerto No. 1 and Saint-Saëns’ Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso.
Starla Breshears with Buffalo Chamber Players
May 19, 2027
Buffalo, NY
After winning first place in the 2026 Klein Competition, cellist James Birch joins Buffalo Chamber Players in our inaugural year of our partnership.
42nd International Irving M. Klein String Competition – Semifinals
June 5, 2027
San Francisco Conservatory of Music
We return to the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and livestream our first day of the competition with 8-9 of the world’s most promising young string musicians.
42nd International Irving M. Klein String Competition – Finals
June 6, 2027
San Francisco Conservatory of Music
We return to the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and livestream our second day of the competition with 3-4 finalists from the world’s most promising young string musicians.
Other performances in the Bay Area featuring our laureates
Music@Menlo
July 17-August 8
Menlo Park, CA
Klein Alumni (Julia Schilz, Klein 1st prize 2026, Jake Dongyoung Shim, Klein 4th prize 2020, and Shengyu Meng, Klein 2025 Semifinalist) play chamber music as part of Music@Menlo’s International Program this summer.