Ruth French
We honor violinist Ruth French and the incredible impact she made, and continues to make, over the course of her 62 year teaching career. We honor her legacy by celebrating young violinists in our community through the biennial Ruth French Violin Competition.
The biennial Ruth French Violin Competition
June 6th, 2026.
Violinists must perform one recital piece of their choice (concerto, sonata, show piece, or unaccompanied), ideally memorized. Finalists will perform at the winners recital (open to the public) and judges will decide division winners following the recital. Contestants must provide their own accompanist. To qualify the contestant’s teacher must teach in the Louisville metro area.
Cash Prizes:
Division II: 8th-12th grade: $200
Division I: 3rd-7th grade: $150
Applications are to be completed and submitted online or by mail and received by the deadline of May 24th, 2026. Applicant’s audition time will be e-mailed by May 30th, 2026.
A $30 non-refundable entry fee which can be paid online through our stripe account (make a note that it’s a registration fee) or by check. If you are a current student at LAM the fee can be added to your monthly statement.
The Competition will be held on Sunday June 6th, 2026 between 9am-4pm. The winners will be announced by 5:00pm and invited to play in the Winners Recital at 7pm at the Louisville Academy of Music.
You must be available to play for the winners recital at 7pm and provide your own pianist for accompaniment at both the audition and recital if needed.
2024 Division winners
Division I: Eva Zou
Division II: Megumi Martin
Finalists: Joyce Fang, Lydia Murdock, Jose Lino, Reagan Lueker
2024 Judges: Michele Barbosa, Julia Cash, Christopher Robinson
2022 Division Winners
Division I - Meg Martin
Division II - Kaylynn Li
2022 finalists: Joyce Fang, Scout Fridell, Eva Luna Johnson, and Amy Tang
2022 judges: Geoff Herd, Leslie Kalkhof, and Carol Webb.