Prof. Imase Yasuo is a highly respected horn player, conductor, and educator with an illustrious career spanning Japan and the international stage. A graduate of the Kunitachi College of Music, he studied under esteemed mentors Yanaka Jinsaku, Kurosawa Katsuyoshi, Osaka Yasuhisa, and Chiba Kaoru.

From his university years onward, Prof. Yasuo has performed extensively with orchestras both in Japan and abroad, including the Kiev Shevchenko Theatre, Saxony Opera, Singapore Philharmonic, Vladivostok Symphony Orchestra, Karelia Republic Philharmonic, Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, Malaysian National Symphony Orchestra, and the Wuhan Symphony Orchestra.

His academic and leadership roles reflect his dedication to nurturing the next generation of musicians. He is Professor Emeritus at the Far Eastern Federal University of Arts, Visiting Professor at the Shenyang Conservatory of Music, and Lecturer at Heisei College of Music. Beyond teaching, he has served as Chairman of the Jury for the Vladivostok International Music Competition, where his expertise and fairness have been widely recognized.

Prof. Yasuo also contributes to community music-making as Guest Conductor of the Shinshiro Municipal Wind Orchestra, bringing professional artistry to local ensembles.

With his distinguished background as performer, educator, and conductor, Prof. Imase Yasuo brings deep musical insight, international perspective, and uncompromising integrity to his role as a judge in international music competitions.

Founder & Director, EchoMusic

Francis “Coach Kit” Manset is a veteran vocal and performing arts educator and the Founder and Director of EchoMusic – Center for Talent Development in Batangas, Philippines. With nearly two decades of experience in vocal coaching and artist development, he has dedicated his career to developing singers through an integrated approach to vocal technique, performance training, artistry, discipline, and character formation.

A Diploma holder in Popular Music from the London College of Music, Coach Kit brings extensive technical knowledge and professional coaching experience to his work, specializing in contemporary and popular music.

Under his leadership, EchoMusic was recognized as an “Outstanding Performing Arts School” by the London College of Music, University of West London. Throughout his career, he has trained and mentored singers who have competed and excelled on major Philippine television platforms, as well as in national and international competitions. He has also guided students and teams to notable achievements on both national and international stages.

As he expands his work as an International Consultant and Director, Coach Kit remains committed to developing the next generation of artists helping young performers discover their artistic identity, strengthen their craft, build character, and pursue excellence on both local and international stages.

Trieu Pham is an accomplished pianist, educator, and music mentor with over three decades of experience in piano performance and pedagogy. He graduated with honors from the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music and received training from some of Vietnam’s most influential piano teachers, including Prof. Nghiem Phu Phi, Prof. Thai Thi Lien, and Prof. Nguyen Thi Cuc Xuan.

Mr. Pham has enjoyed an extensive performing career, appearing as a soloist with the Saigon Symphony Orchestra in major concertos by Mozart, Grieg, Beethoven, and other composers. His teaching philosophy combines the traditions of Russian and European piano schools with modern pedagogical approaches, emphasizing technical foundation, musical understanding, and artistic development.

A former faculty member of the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music and piano instructor in California, USA, Mr. Pham is an active member of MTNA and CAPMT. His students have received numerous awards and scholarships and have been selected for prestigious performances and educational opportunities. In recognition of his contributions to music education, he has been honored by Vietnam’s educational authorities for excellence in teaching.

Lưu Đức Anh is an internationally acclaimed pianist, educator, and artistic director whose career has established him as one of the most influential classical musicians of his generation in Vietnam. A laureate of numerous international piano competitions across Vietnam, Australia, Belgium, Poland, Sweden, and France, he is recognized for both his outstanding artistry and his dedication to expanding the reach of classical music.

Born in Hanoi, Duc Anh began his musical studies with his father, Associate Professor Lưu Quang Minh, before continuing his education at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, the Royal Conservatory of Liège (Belgium), and the Malmö Academy of Music (Sweden). He has also worked extensively with distinguished artists and pedagogues including Đặng Thái Sơn, Johan Schmidt, Armen Babakhanian, Jean-Bernard Pommier, and Avedis Kouyoumdjian.

Celebrated for his remarkable breadth of repertoire, Duc Anh performs works ranging from Bach and the Viennese Classical masters to the most demanding Romantic concertos and contemporary masterpieces. He is widely recognized as one of Vietnam’s leading advocates for modern and contemporary music, introducing audiences to the works of composers such as Steve Reich, Philip Glass, John Adams, George Crumb, John Cage, Helmut Lachenmann, and Frederic Rzewski through innovative concert projects and educational initiatives.

As a soloist, he has appeared with virtually every major orchestra in Vietnam, including the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra, Sun Symphony Orchestra, Ho Chi Minh City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Vietnam National Opera & Ballet Orchestra, while also collaborating with orchestras and conductors across Europe and Asia.

Since 2018, Duc Anh has served on the faculty of the Vietnam National Academy of Music. His students have earned top prizes in national and international competitions, and he is regularly invited to serve as a juror and masterclass instructor worldwide.

In 2025, he was appointed an official Bösendorfer Artist and currently serves as Executive and Artistic Director of the Vietnam International Piano Competition & Festival (VIPCF), one of the largest and most prestigious piano competitions in Vietnam and the region.

Kang Hae-in is a distinguished dance educator and artistic director who graduated from Sookmyung Women’s University in Korea. With over 20 years of professional experience teaching contemporary dance and ballet in both Korea and Vietnam, she is widely recognized for her refined artistic vision, disciplined pedagogy, and exceptional leadership.

In 2022, she received the Leadership Award at the Shanghai International Competition. She was subsequently invited to serve as a judge at prestigious international events, including the 2023 Malaysia Youth Friendship Festival and the 2023 Vietnam Pathway Musical Festival. 

In 2025, she was honored with the Choreography Award at the Korea Dance Competition, as well as the Leadership Award presented by the Korea Cultural & Arts International Exchange Association. 

She currently serves as the Director of Studio K | Ballet & Modern in Vietnam, where she continues to inspire and mentor the next generation of dancers through her creative excellence and profound passion for the arts.

Gianti Giadi is a choreographer, teacher, a performing artist and the owner of Gigi Art of Dance Studio, Company and foundation in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Started with Indonesian traditional dance when she was 4, learned various genres and graduated with a BA (Hons) in dance from Lasalle College of the Arts, Singapore.

Her choreographies are showcased in different events such as concerts, site spesific performances, commercials, contemporary festivals and musicals in Indonesia, Singapore, Phillipines, Malaysia, USA, and Europe. Her work explores on the theme of human life through storytelling, emotional journey and body experience. She has been teaching for more than 20 years in various genres. She is currently mentoring 7 dance crew in Contemporary, Traditional, Kpop, Fusion as well as Mixed ability dancers. She believes in the power of the arts that is transformative and life-changing.

Dr. Nevine Rafa Kusuma

Founder & Artistic Director, RAFA International Dance Studio

Dr. Nevine Rafa Kusuma is an internationally recognized educator, choreographer, and artistic leader whose career spans both academia and the performing arts. With a PhD in Architecture from the University of Malaya (2026) and advanced qualifications in interior design and architecture from leading institutions in London and Indonesia, she brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to the world of dance.

As a Royal Academy of Dance London Approved Tutor and Registered Teacher (RAD RTS), Dr. Kusuma is certified to uphold the highest standards of ballet education. She also holds teaching credentials from the Russian Ballet Association and Barre Intensity, ensuring a broad and versatile approach to dance pedagogy.

Her leadership at RAFA International Dance Studio has earned international recognition, including the Best School Award at the Asia Open Dance Championship (2026) and Best Overseas School at the International Art Festival (2024). Personally, she has been honored as an Outstanding Teacher (2024) and received an Honorable Mention for Dance Well-Being Teacher by RAD London (2025).

Dr. Kusuma’s judging expertise is grounded in extensive professional development, having participated in global workshops and seminars with renowned figures such as Runqiao Du, John Bryne, and Ivy Chung. Her training includes RAD exam feedback seminars, safeguarding programs, syllabus strategy courses, and injury-prevention workshops, equipping her with both technical precision and holistic care for dancers.

With her blend of academic rigor, international teaching certifications, and proven track record of nurturing award-winning talent, Dr. Nevine Rafa Kusuma brings integrity, fairness, and deep artistic insight to her role as a judge in international dance competitions.

Linh Rateau

Founder & Director, Dancenter Vietnam

Linh Rateau completed three years of professional training at the Centre International de la Danse Jazz in Paris under Master Rick Odums before establishing herself in Ho Chi Minh City in 2001. As the Founder and Artistic Director of Dancenter Vietnam, she has spent over two decades advancing dance education, studio management, and performing arts development across the region. Under her leadership, Dancenter has grown into a premier cultural hub, hosting international artist residencies—including long-standing collaborations with the Institut Français—and preparing elite youth troupes for competitive stages worldwide.

An Accredited Associate Ballet Teacher with the Australian Teachers of Dancing (ATOD) and an active member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), Linh brings broad technical expertise across classical ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, tap, lyrical, and commercial styles. Her extensive evaluation background includes serving on the jury for the Institut Français’s Villa Saigon Commission from 2018 to 2024, where she assessed artistic projects and residency applications. Passionate about inclusion, she also champions dedicated adaptive dance programs for youth with intellectual disabilities.

As an adjudicator, Linh draws on decades of experience nurturing talent and preparing young dancers for the demands of the stage. She evaluates each performance through a balanced framework focused on strong technical foundation, looking for clean execution, core engagement, and proper alignment. Alongside technical precision, she prioritizes genuine artistic expression—measured through musicality, stage presence, and emotional storytelling—as well as choreographic integrity, placing equal value on originality, dynamic transitions, and the intelligent use of space.

Jeric Viñas is a music educator, choral director, and vocal coach specializing in classical voice, contemporary singing, and Filipino Kundiman, with professional teaching experience since 2017. He is the founder and Musical Director of Celest Music Tutorial Services, where he trains singers and ensembles in vocal technique, artistic interpretation, and performance excellence for both competitive and professional stages.

He currently serves as Chorale Master for multiple active ensembles, including the Singers of the Cathedral Ambassadors (San Sebastian, Lipa City), Mary Mediatrix Youth Choir (Mary Mediatrix of All Grace Parish, Lipa City), Música de la Purísima (La Purisima Conception Academy, Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas Philippines) 

His leadership extends to composition, arranging, and choral clinical work, with a strong focus on classical vocal production and Kundiman interpretation. He is also an active member of the Philippine Choral Directors Association (PCDA) and regularly conducts recitals and performance events under Celest Music Tutorial Services.

Under his direction, ensembles have earned multiple competitive distinctions across regional and national platforms. His choral achievements include Champion at the Chorale Competition, Robinsons Mall Lipa (2017), 2nd Place at the Big Ben Chorale Competition (2018), Overall Champion at Harana sa Panginoon, University of Batangas (2019), Champion at the Lipa City Chorale Competition (2019), and Champion at the LGU San Jose Batangas Chorale Competition (2019). His choirs have also consistently placed in festival and outreach competitions, including recognition in children’s choral divisions and seasonal competitions such as the La Purisima Conception Academy Christmas Caroling Contest (3rd Place, 2025). 

As a vocal coach, Jeric has mentored singers who have advanced to major televised and international performance platforms, including Tawag ng Tanghalan, The Voice Kids Philippines, and the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA). His students have also achieved top honors in solo and ensemble divisions, most notably securing Overall Champion in the Kundiman and Solo Singing categories at the National Alliance of Private Schools Philippines (NAPSPHIL) in 2024. 

Guided by a results-driven and holistic training philosophy, Jeric emphasizes technical mastery, stylistic versatility, and emotional expression. His work is centered on developing competitive, stage-ready performers capable of excelling in both national and international arenas. 

His students successfully represented the Philippines in the International Stage Performing Arts Vocal Competition in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 02, 2026, earning multiple awards and bringing pride to the nation. In recognition of his expertise in music education and performance.