Hillsboro Violinist Leo Trajano Wins the 2025 PYP Concerto Competition
Posted on October 9, 2025
Seventeen-year-old violinist Leo Trajano from Hillsboro, Oregon, has been named the winner of the 2025 Portland Youth Philharmonic Concerto Competition. As the top prize winner, Leo will perform as soloist with PYP at the March 7, 2026 concert at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
For Leo, preparing for the competition was all about focus, rest, and positive energy. “This was obviously an opportunity that I wanted a lot,” he said. “The week prior, I practiced the piece a lot, but two days beforehand I made sure to get 11 hours of sleep, catch up on rest, and just try to relax, and channel positive energy and really nail my performance.”
Leo says he felt proud of his playing that day. “I feel like I did the best I could, and I knew it was really competitive because there are so many great players in this orchestra. It felt like an honor to be selected, and I’m just really excited to have this opportunity to play with an orchestra like PYP.”
Leo’s love for violin began nine years ago, after an entire year of convincing his parents to let him play. “I was begging my parents for a year straight just because I loved the sound. It’s like a singer,” he said. “They finally let me play, and I never really lost that love for the instrument.” He began through the Suzuki method and quickly discovered a passion for playing in orchestras. After starting in MYS, Leo joined PYP and found the experience transformative.
“Well, it’s a privilege just being in this orchestra,” he shared. “It’s really one of the great American youth orchestras. I just love the sound as a whole. Mr. Hattner really gets us to play to the highest level we possibly can. The amount of technical accomplishment from each individual musician, combined into one giant orchestra, is a really spectacular experience. I always look forward to it every week.”
When he’s not performing with PYP, Leo stays active musically through his high school choir. “Besides PYP, I also enjoy being in my high school choir. The enthusiasm and passion that all of my friends bring every day to school is very inspiring,” he said.
Leo also finds inspiration in professional violinists like María Dueñas, whose energy and lyricism deeply influence his approach. “I had the privilege of seeing her play the Gabriela Ortiz Violin Concerto with the LA Phil, and I absolutely adore her playing,” Leo said. “She’s so energetic and always brings so much lyricism to her playing. I always try to replicate the energy she has.”
Asked what advice he would give to others learning an instrument, Leo offered a thoughtful perspective: “You should only take it as seriously as you want. There are so many different ways to play your instrument, and being open-minded is important. Taking it too seriously can take the life out of it, so keep it enjoyable.”
Audiences can hear Leo perform live with the Philharmonic Orchestra on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 7:30 PM at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Tickets and season subscriptions are available now at
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