Oskar Johnson-Liu, 2025 AYO Concerto Competition Winner
Oskar Johnson-Liu is 14 years old and a freshman in high school. He began studying cello at age 6 with Ms. Mary Beth Bryant of Atlanta and has been with Mr. Hyeok Kwon of Savannah for two years. Oskar has participated in Georgia All State Orchestra for the past four years, two of which serving as assistant principal.
Oskar greatly enjoys playing chamber music, participating in quartets at the Summer Music Institute of the Atlanta Festival Academy and for summer 2025, was accepted into one of the four quartets for the Hilton Head Chamber Music Institute. At the age of 8, Oskar played a solo at a performance with Celli, a cello quartet based in Atlanta. He participated in master classes at the University of North Florida Jacksonville Cello Workshop for several years and has given solo recitals in Atlanta and Savannah for the past three years. Oskar won the 2024 Savannah Chinese Association Youth Competition and performed a solo at the 2025 Savannah Chinese Association New Year celebration.
Oskar performs frequently as a trio with his parents, violinists/violists, Lizhou Liu and Yvonne Johnson, as well as in his family piano quintet with his pianist brother, Beiwen, and his violinist/violist sister, Olivia. The groups have performed in recital and in churches throughout Savannah, Iowa and Seattle. Oskar first played for his kindergarten teacher’s wedding at the age of 6 and plays for weddings regularly in Savannah throughout the low country. He continues to play cello at his church, Messiah Lutheran, accompanying the choir or as a soloist.
Oskar’s other passions are NASCAR and F1 and he is a member of a competitive iRacing driving team.
