Applications are now open for the third edition of the Stuttgart International Violin Competition, which is set to take place from February 21 to 28, 2027. The competition was founded in 2021 and takes place every three years.

The winner of the 2024 edition was Anna Im. She is a laureate of several major competitions, including the Michael Hill International Violin Competition 2019, the ArsClassica International Competition 2024, and the Queen Elisabeth International Violin Competition 2024.

​A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and the Royal Academy of Music, Im has studied with Shmuel Ashkenasi, Aaron Rosand, and So-Ock Kim.

She has appeared as a soloist with the Stuttgart Philharmoniker, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Baden-Baden Philharmonic, and Salzburger Solisten, and has been invited to festivals such as the Kronberg Academy Festival, Ravinia Festival, IMS Prussia Cove, and Aspen Music Festival, among others.

In 2024, The Violin Channel sat down with Anna Im to discuss how she prepares for a major competition and how it felt to win the Stuttgart competition.

She also discussed the challenge of remaining expressive while meeting the technical demands of the competition environment.

"It's easy to view the rounds as just another part of the competition, but it's crucial to see them as opportunities to express your music and believe in yourself, even under high pressure," she said.

"Doubts are natural; dedicated musicians rarely feel entirely ready. We need to do our best and let go of unnecessary worries. Letting go and not adding extra pressure on yourself is really helpful."

You can hear her performing Ysaÿe's Caprice d’après l’Étude en forme de Valse, Op. 52 No. 6 de Saint-Saëns at the 2024 Stuttgart Competition below.