Teen performer Isabel Feng earns spot among top young pianists in the United States
A Folsom High School freshman with an extensive international performance résumé is headed to the national stage after being named a National Finalist in the 2026 Music Teachers National Association National Junior Piano Competition.
Isabel Feng, a Folsom native, earned her place in the national finals after winning the first round of the highly competitive two-tiered MTNA junior piano contest. Feng is the daughter of Jessie Zhang and Shuo Feng and has studied piano for 10 years. A freshman at Folsom High School, she is currently a student of Yoshikazu Nagai through the Pre-College program at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Her continued rise on the competitive piano circuit builds on earlier achievements that have previously been reported by Folsom Times, reflecting a steady progression from regional recognition to national distinction.
Feng has earned first-place honors at numerous piano competitions, including all three CAPMT California State Competitions and the MTAC Piano Concerto Solo State Competition. Her accolades also include first prize at the San Jose International Piano Competition, grand prize at the Xinghai Cup National Piano Competition in China, and first grand prize across all age categories, ranging from under 8 to 35, at the Vancouver International Music Competition.
She made her Carnegie Hall debut at the age of 6 and has since performed throughout the United States, Canada, China and Italy. At age 7, Feng made her orchestral debut with the Folsom Lake College Youth Chamber Orchestra. She has since appeared as a soloist with Orchestra Virtuosi Brunenses, Orchestra Europa Musica, Florence Conservatory Orchestra and Orchestra delle Cento Città, expanding her performance experience across a wide range of international venues and orchestral collaborations.
The MTNA National Junior Piano Competition begins with a video-only nationwide round, from which seven finalists are selected to advance to the in-person national competition finals. The national winner receives a cash prize and performs in a Winners Concert during the MTNA National Conference.
Founded in 1876, the Music Teachers National Association is the oldest professional music association in the United States. The nonprofit organization includes more than 15,000 independent and collegiate music teachers and is dedicated to advancing the value of music study and music making while supporting the professionalism of music educators nationwide.
Copyright © 2026, Folsom Times, a digital product of All Town Media LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
