The triennial Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition (EOIVC) has chosen four finalists to perform with the Lynn Philharmonia and conductor Gerald Karni at the Keith C. and Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center. 

Open to violinists of all nationalities aged 18 to 30, this year’s edition is being held from January 4–18, 2026, at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida.

All competition rounds are being streamed live here on The Violin Channel! Tune in on Sunday, January 18, for this year's final round.

The four finalists are:

  • Sameer Agrawal (20, United States)
  • Yiyang Hou (21, China)
  • Julia Jones (21, United States)
  • Hyun Jae Lim (28, South Korea)

The first prize winner will receive a $30,000 cash prize; a new violin made by Phillip Injeian; a Gold-Mounted Violin Bow crafted by Vladimir Radosavljevic; plus engagements with orchestras, music festivals, and concert series over the next three years. 

Second prize is valued at $15,000, the third prize winner will receive $10,000, and fourth prize will get $5,000. 

Chaired by Andrés Cárdenes, the EOIVC 2026 jury comprises Ilya Kaler, Ida Kavafian, Irina Muresanu, Philip Setzer, Dmitry Sitkovetsky, and Kyoko Takezawa. Elizabeth Pitcairn will act as an alternate judge if any member of the panel becomes unavailable.