The American Guild of Organists promotes the highest level of organ performance through its National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance. The Competition is intended to serve as a springboard for emerging organists to develop their performance ability by participating in the various demanding stages of this Competition. Underwriting of expenses is provided in part by the Nita Akin Competition Fund. The NYACOP Committee encourages all eligible organists to seek ever-higher levels of excellence by competing. Applicants who do not reside in the U.S. are responsible for understanding and complying with U.S. visa requirements as well as travel costs where applicable. 2024 NYACOP Official Rules
Prizes
First Place – The Lilian Murtagh Memorial Prize, funded by Karen McFarlane Artists, Inc., Cleveland Ohio; includes a $3,000 cash award, career development assistance from Karen McFarlane Artists Inc. between September 2024 and June 2026, including publicity materials and advertising. The Jordan Prize, funded by the Jordan Organ Endowment; $10,000 to be awarded in conjunction with a Gala Solo Recital on the Jordan Family Organ in Columbus, Georgia. Additionally, a performance during the 2026 AGO National Convention, a CD recording on the Pro Organo label, and a selection of Recital Awards throughout the United States.
Second Place – $5,000, funded by Kegg Pipe Organ Builders, Hartville, Ohio. Four 1/6-page print advertisements in The American Organist (TAO) (design costs not included).
Third Place – $3,000, funded by Dorothy Young Riess, MD. Four 1/6-page print advertisements in The American Organist (TAO) (design costs not included).
Audience Prize – $1,000 funded by Lakeside Presbyterian Church, San Francisco, CA.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2024 NYACOP WINNERS!
First Place and Audience Prize
Hailing from Hong Kong, Ryan Chan is a versatile musician specializing in organ and harpsichord. He has performed in prestigious venues including Freiberger Dom, Katholische Hofkirche (Dresden), St. Mark’s Cathedral (Seattle) and Church of the Transfiguration (Orleans). Festival appearances include Piccolo Spoleto, Oberlin Baroque Performance Institute, and more. In September 2023, Ryan took second-prize in XVI. Internationalen Gottfried-Silbermann-Orgelwettbewerb, granting him recital engagements in Germany. He won first-prize in the 2018 Arthur Poister Competition. Ryan is currently pursuing his DMA (Organ) with David Higgs. He holds a MM (Harpsichord) with Lisa Goode Crawford, and performs regularly with Eastman Collegium Musicum, directed by Paul O’Dette and Christel Thielmann.
Second Place
Victoria Shorokhova graduated from Saint Petersburg Conservatory (Russia) in piano (2016), organ (2017, prof. Daniel Zaretsky) and earned a Master’s degree at Saint Petersburg State University in 2019 (Historical Performance on Keyboard Instruments). In 2022, she received MM in Organ Performance at Georgia State University (Dr. Jens Korndörfer). Starting 2023 Victoria pursues DMA at University of Houston studying with Prof. Daryl Robinson and holds an Organ Scholar position at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. Victoria is a laureate of international organ competitions in Russia and Poland. In 2023 she became one of “The Diapason” magazine’s “20 under 30” selected members.
Third Place
Internationally acclaimed for his technique and artistry, Dr. Tyler Boehmer is a passionate and devoted organist. Dr. Boehmer completed his DMA at the University of Kansas. His principal teachers include Don Cook, James Higdon, and Edoardo Bellotti. As an ambassador for the organ, Boehmer has been active in many competitions and workshops. Recent accolades include: first prize, 2019 Miami International Organ Competition; second prize, 2023 International Organ Competition Dudelange. He has also co-taught several organ workshops aimed at helping volunteer church organists develop their abilities. Boehmer currently works at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas as Assistant Professor of Music.
Since 1982, Karen McFarlane Artists has generously assisted AGO NYACOP winners with career guidance and support. The concert management program they have developed is designed to educate the winner about career management and provide an opportunity to learn firsthand what concert life is really like. A special note to chapters—hosting an AGO competition winner is the perfect chapter event! Contact Karen McFarlane Artists or AGO Headquarters.
NYACOP Prize Winners
2022 James Kealey – 1st Place & Audience Prize – Rhapsodic
Daniel Chang – 2nd Place
Daniel Minnick – 3rd Place & Audience Prize
2018 Aaron Tan – 1st Place & Audience Prize – Impressions
Caroline Robinson – 2nd Place
Daniel Chang – 3rd Place
2016 Katelyn Emerson – 1st Place – Evocations
Kirk Rich – 2nd Place
Weicheng Zhao – 3rd Place & Audience Prize
NYACOP Committee members
Kimberly Marshall, Director Email
Gregory Hand Email
Timothy Olsen Email
Peggy Haas Howell, ex officio (Vice President/Councillor for Competitions and New Music) Email
AGO Headquarters
