Charlotte Meng

Charlotte Meng is a 13-year-old eighth grader at Wydown Middle School and is thrilled for her first season as a violinist in the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra. She began playing the violin at the age of seven and currently studies under Pavel Ilyashov. 

Meng has received extensive acclaim in regional, national, and international competitions. In 2025, she secured First Place at both the Little Mozarts International Competition and the Crescendo International Music Competition, resulting in two invitations at Carnegie Hall. In 2026, Meng won the Golden Prize at the St. Louis Area Music Teachers Association Young Artist Competition. Her awards also include a Superior Solo Award at the 2024 Mid-America Music Festival, Honorable Mention at the 2025 Missouri Music Teachers Association State Auditions, Judge’s Choice Award at the 2026 Sonatina Festival, and second-place in the youth chamber category of the 2026 IPPA International Piano Competition. 

A versatile ensemble musician, Meng has performed with all orchestras at the Webster University Community Music School and has played first violin in her school ensembles since elementary school. Meng currently serves as co-concertmaster of the Wydown Chamber Orchestra, with which she performed at the Missouri Music Educators Association conference. Additionally, she was featured as a soloist and led her chamber group as the first violinist at the Credo St. Louis Music Festival. 

Beyond her musical pursuits, Meng is an avid reader who also enjoys playing tennis and exploring various forms of visual art.