Senior Division Finalist
Violin, 15
Jean Sibelius
Violin Concerto in D Minor, Mvt. 3
Kaylee Nah, 15, is a sophomore at Sunset High School and has studied violin under Hae-Jin Kim since the age of five. She has been a member of the Portland Youth Philharmonic (PYP) organization since 2018 and currently serves as co-concertmaster of the PYP orchestra. She also enjoys playing chamber music in Camerata PYP and a PYP quartet.
Kaylee has made many achievements, such as winning first place in both the Oregon state and Northwest divisions of the MTNA Junior String competition in 2023-2024 season, advancing as one of seven national finalists. In 2024, she won first place in the Oregon ASTA solo competition, OMEA State Championships for both solo violin and chamber ensemble, and the Monday Musical Club Award Competition, where she received the $2,000 Phillips Award for best instrumental performance. In the same year, she won the MetroArts Young Artists Debut! Competition and the Jewish Community Orchestra Young Artist Competition.
Kaylee has performed for many renowned artists, including Ray Chen, Vadim Gluzman, Benjamin Beilman, Jessica Lee, and Sunmi Chang in masterclasses. She attended the Heifetz International Music Institute and the Interlochen Arts Camp, where she served as concertmaster of the World Youth Symphony Orchestra on a full scholarship. She was also selected as concertmaster for the OMEA All-State Symphony Orchestra in 2024 and 2025. In addition to her violin studies, Kaylee has been studying piano since the age of five.
If you could only eat one dessert for the rest of your life, what would it be? It would definitely be cheesecake!
If you could have any superpower, what would it be? I would love to be able to fly.
What is your favorite musical memory? When I played for Ray Chen.
If you could switch places with anyone for a day, who would it be? I would switch with my dog - all she does is eat, sleep, and be adored.
What is your favorite place to visit? I love going to Korea to visit relatives, sightsee, and eat good food.