The Camerata Artists International Competition is an annual music competition that invites young musicians aged 5 to 22 from around the world to participate. Talented young artists perform in a showcase across various musical talents, from instrumentalists to vocalists. In the most recent competition during January 2025, Claremont High School’s Evangeline (Evie) Lien saw extreme success. Throughout numerous performances, Lien was able to climb all the way to the top with her viola skills, earning the title of co-champion in the Junior II division.
Lien began her musical journey on the piano at the age of six, debuting at the Claremont Community School of Music three years later. Lien was a talented pianist, winning first prize in her division during the 2018 John Walker Competition, but she found more passion for her viola. At nine, Lien was attracted by its unique beauty.
“The viola just called to me and I listened,” Lien said. “There was something about it that I could not resist.”
The switch was not in vain, as Lien went on to win first in the John Walker Competition again in 2019; however, this time Lien played the viola. Later, in 2021, Lien won first in both the American Protege International Music Talent Competition and the Charleston International Music Competition. Through these endeavors, Lien was able to forge friendships with fellow musicians, which not only catalyzed Lien’s success but also her passion for music.
As Lien’s path brought her to Claremont High School, these connections followed, and the magnitude of her achievements has only grown. In The Music Center’s 37th Annual Spotlight Program, Lien was one of fourteen finalists among 1600 competitors, receiving a $5000 scholarship and a performance in the Spotlight Grand Finale on June 6, 2025. In the Grand Finale, Lien will continue to play the viola with passion. Lien attributed many of these achievements to her mother’s guidance, as well as a desire to bring her music to a larger audience.
Despite her numerous achievements, Lien believes that there is more to music than just awards or pretty sounds.
“To me, music is a way to communicate; […] it is like having a conversation with your audience without having to worry about language barriers,” Lien said. “Music is universal, the viola is just a tool to convey what I cannot put into words.”
However, communicating messages is more than just chatter. To Lien, there are important things to say with music. Lien is working towards building the Inland Empire region under the international nonprofit organization “Back to Bach,” and hopes to create a group of young, passionate musicians of any level. Lien firmly believes that all musicians, regardless of skill, should be able to communicate their beliefs in a medium they love. Building a community matters because music is not just about achievements. According to Lien, music is about the connections that musicians and vocalists can build with others who share their passions, so that a universal form of communication can connect anyone—and everyone—together.
