Leo Kubota ’27, Winner of the 2026 William Waite Concerto Competition

On January 24th, four finalists of the 2026 William Waite Concerto Competition performed before a panel of three judges, who selected Leo Kubota ’26 as the winner. Leo will have the opportunity to perform the Dvorak Cello Concerto with the Yale Symphony Orchestra on its 2026-2027 Season. 

Honorable mention was awarded to Mia Gribbon ’29, clarinet.

Congratulations to Leo and to our finalists for a commendable competition, and to our adjudicators, Carrie Koffman, Terrence Wilson and Jeffrey Zeigler.