Vote Now: Emerging Artist Category
Vote now for your favorite finalist in our Emerging Artist category.

Public voting is now open for the third annual Karin Larson YourClassical Prize!
Visit our “Vote Now” pages to view the finalists in our Preprofessional Musician and Emerging Artist categories. Vote once for your favorite performer in each category to determine this year’s winners. Voting is open through June 7.
Winners in each category will be announced on June 12. Each winner receives a cash prize and a recording studio session.

Vote now for your favorite finalist in our Emerging Artist category.

Vote now for your favorite finalist in our Preprofessional Musician category.

Be sure to read the Official Rules for the Karin Larson YourClassical Prize.

Find out more about the 2026 Karin Larson YourClassical Prize.

Barthel, an organist from Duluth, Minnesota, is the Preprofessional Musician category winner.

Pitsavas Wakely, a violinist from Northfield, Minnesota, is the Emerging Artist category winner.

Chosen by YourClassical listeners as the entry that best celebrated women in classical music.
Karin (CARE-in) Larson was an extraordinary friend to Minnesota Public Radio who died in 2021 at 82. Her generosity fueled the growth of our classical programming and helped our music education initiatives reach more than a quarter-million children. The Karin Larson YourClassical Prize was established in her memory to honor her love of young people and her dedication to women in classical music. Find out more
As we prepare for the third edition of the Karin Larson YourClassical Prize, listen as members of the Larson family remember Karin and her love for classical music and uplifting young artists.
Jeff Larson:
Amanda Forsyth: