Cho, a 17-year-old native of South Korea, currently studies in Cleveland. She performed Shostakovich's Violin Concerto in the finals.

The winners share C$70,000. The first, second, and third prize winners will perform in a gala concert on June 2 with the Montreal Symphony, conducted by Maestro Muhai Tang.

Founded in 2002, MIMC alternates between voice, violin, and piano over a four-year cycle, with voice presented every other year. It was admitted to the World Federation of International Music Competitions in 2004.