Northern Lights Music Festival Alumni Continue to Shine on the National Stage

Northern Lights Music Festival alumni Samuel Cronk and Conan Yang have once again distinguished themselves at the highest level, winning the Eastern Division of the Senior PIano Duet Competition and advancing to the national finals. The duo will compete at the MTNA National Conference in Chicago this March.

Both pianists are students of Veda Zuponcic, Artistic Director of the Northern Lights Music Festival, and their success reflects years of artistic growth nurtured through the Festival’s programs.

Their winning competition program showcased exceptional versatility and virtuosity, featuring:

• Mozart: Sonata in C Major, K. 521

• Lutosławski (arr. Timofeev): Variations on a Theme by Paganini

• Ravel: La Valse

Cronk and Yang are also both Helen Bradach Concerto Competition winners, a hallmark achievement within the Northern Lights Music Festival community. Conan Yang won the competition in 2024, followed by Samuel Cronk in 2025, further underscoring their individual excellence as well as their collaborative artistry.

The Northern Lights Music Festival proudly celebrates Samuel and Conan’s continued accomplishments and looks forward to following their success on the national stage.