Youth Orchestra
Eric Chang
Eric Chang is a 9th grader at John Burroughs School. He began playing the violin at the age of five, and currently studies with Mr. Pavel Ilyashov. Chang has earned many notable accolades in competitions. He is a two-time State Winner of the MMTA String Solo Competition, and Runner-up of the MTNA State Junior String Competition, Winner of the Artist Presentation Society Young Artist Competition, and Gold Medalist of the SLAMTA Young Artist Competition. He was also a Winner of the Town and Country Young Artist Concerto Competition, and made his solo debut with the symphony orchestra in June 2025.
An avid orchestral musician, Chang served as Concertmaster of both his school orchestra and the YPCO of Webster University. He has been a member of the Saint Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra for three years, and this year will be his 2nd year as a full-time musician.
Chang has been selected to participate in prestigious summer institutions and festivals, such as the Vivace Music Festival in North Carolina, Bienen School of Music’s Violin Institute at Northwestern University and most recently, the Heifetz International Music Institute in Virginia.
Chang is deeply grateful for the support of his family, teachers, and the instructors at CMS and his school. Outside of music, he enjoys soccer, tennis, reading, and time with friends.
