Da-Sol Um (left) and Jun Yun (right), SOMD piano students

Da-Sol Um and Jun Yun have won first place at the distinguished MTNA Stecher and Horowitz Two Piano Competition! The pair, Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) students at UO School of Music and Dance (SOMD), are the first to bring an MTNA national title to the school. Their victory is a testament to the strength of SOMD’s collaborative spirit, as both students worked closely with faculty mentors to prepare for the competition.

“We are so proud and grateful to have won this prestigious competition,” the duo said. “We would also like to express our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Dossin, Dr. Hsu, and Dr. Riley for their invaluable support and guidance.” 

Performing works by Mozart, Poulenc, and Guastavino, they showcased technical mastery and seamless ensemble playing. “Just like any other ensemble, a two-piano duo requires careful coordination,” they said. “We rehearsed as often as possible, engaging in detailed discussions to get the best result.”  

For Um, this competition was a familiar challenge, having competed in a previous year. “As a pianist, you don’t often get the chance to collaborate with another pianist, so I thought this would be a great opportunity to experience that again,” she said. 

Um will graduate this year with a DMA in Piano Performance and a specialization in collaborative piano. After graduation in June, she will pursue career opportunities in academia. Yun is set to complete his DMA in Piano Performance in 2027.