A Tradition of Excellence. A Vision for the Future.
Founded with a belief that exceptional music education and performance opportunities can transform young lives, the OPUS Music Competition has grown into one of the nations most respected platforms for emerging classical musicians.
From local stages to national recognition, OPUS honors artistry, discipline, and heart-helping students gain confidence, visibility, and the motivation to pursue lifelong musical journeys.
OPUS laureates have achieved remarkable success, with many going on to win top honors at other national and international competitions, and numerous past winners earning scholarships to premier music schools and universities in the U.S. and abroad.
Managed by The OPUS Organization, the competition embodies a steadfast commitment to excellence, integrity, and the long-term development of young artists—earning the trust of teachers, students, and families nationwide.
OPUS exists to inspire and elevate the next generation of musicians. Through meaningful competition, professional feedback, and recognition, we provide young artists with opportunities to grow in skill, confidence, and artistic purpose. We celebrate excellence, nurture potential, and help emerging musicians take the next steps in their educational and musical journeys.
To Shape Confident Artists and Compassionate Future Leaders.
Yunior Lopez | President
OPUS MUSIC COMPETITION
Recognized as one of the most versatile musicians of his generation, Cuban-born violist Yunior Lopez enjoys a unique career as a chamber player, conductor, and entrepreneur. A recipient of many awards and prizes, Mr. Lopez appears regularly throughout North America collaborating with esteemed artists as both conductor and violist. He is the former conductor of the Phil & Eli Taylor Academy Orchestra at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Canada and currently serves as Executive & Music Director of the Dr. Shirley Linzy Young Artists Orchestra of Las Vegas, an organization he founded in 2015. A highly sought after chamber musician, Mr. Lopez is the founding violist of Canada’s Annex Quartet. He has worked and performed with a diverse range of international artists such as Jan Lisiecki, Mikel Rouse, Phil Dwyer, the Hilario Durán Trio, the Kronos Quartet, the Gryphon Trio, David Virelles, and members of the Fine Arts, Linden, and St. Lawrence string quartets.
Mr. Lopez is a graduate of The Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Canada. He studied viola with Steven Dann, Susan Barton, and David Holland. Other influences include conductors Uri Mayer and Mario Bernardi, and members of the Kronos, Tokyo, Orford, and St. Lawrence String Quartets. Additionally, he has performed in masterclasses for Yuri Bashmet, Pinchas Zukerman, Hsin-Yun Huang, Masao Kawasaki, and Heidi Castleman, to name a few. When not performing Yunior enjoys speed skating, traveling, watching professional boxing, and Texas- Hold’em Poker. A young entrepreneur, he has founded over a dozen businesses and currently serves as the CEO of the Lord of the Cigars Corporation in Miami, FL, the Executive & Music Director of The Dr. Shirley Linzy Young Artists Orchestra in Las Vegas, and the President of The OPUS Organization. Mr. Lopez currently resides in Las Vegas, NV and conducts using the batons of his late friend and mentor, Mario Bernardi.
To learn more about Mr. Lopez, please visit www.YuniorLopez.com
Music has the power to shape character, connect cultures, and change lives.
Melissa Rios | Communications & Operations
OPUS MUSIC COMPETITION
Melissa Rios serves as Communications Lead for the OPUS Music Competition, overseeing social media, email communications, and participant support. She also serves as the Executive Assistant for the Dr. Shirley Linzy Young Artists Orchestra of Las Vegas, a role she has held since 2017, supporting day-to-day operations and organizational coordination.
Outside of arts administration, Melissa is a passionate, detail-driven Interior Decorator known for creating timeless, functional spaces tailored to each client. Her background includes sales, operations, and corporate management with luxury brands such as Tiffany & Co. and Cartier, experience that shaped her eye for aesthetics, customer experience, and quality.
Melissa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising from Miami International University of Art & Design and an Interior Design accreditation from the New York Institute of Art and Design.
Peter Cosbey, Cellist | The Annex Quartet
Stanislav Pronin, Violin | Berlin Symphony
Jonathan Krehm, Philanthropist | Founder Canzona Chamber Players
Yanbing Chen, President | New Cleveland Group (Cleveland Violins & Desert Strings)
Melissa Rios, Executive Assistant | The Dr. Shirley Linzy Young Artists Orchestra of Las Vegas