May 6, 2025 — Neel Krishnan, a senior at Harrison High School, won the 2024 Augusta Symphony Youth Concerto Competition. As a result, Neel was invited to perform Édouard Lalo's "Cello Concerto" as soloist with the Augusta Symphony Orchestra. His solo was part of the ASO's 70th Anniversary Celebration Concert on May 3, 2025.

"It was a spectacular performance of the Lalo Cello Concerto!" said his Orchestra Director, Koji Mori, with obvious excitement. "We are very proud of Neel Krishnan and his incredible accomplishments." 

Neel began playing the cello in 6th grade at Simpson Middle School and studied privately under the instruction of Sarah Paul. He is currently studying with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra cellist Daniel Laufer.

Prior to the Augusta competition, Neel received first place in both the junior and senior divisions of the Tennessee Cello Workshop Competition in 2022 and 2023. He won the 2023 Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition and performed as a soloist with the orchestra. In 2024, he was named a winner of the Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra’s 48th Ruth Kern Concerto Competition.

He has also been a member of the Georgia All-State Orchestras throughout high school and participated in the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program for music in 2023. He has performed with the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra (2023–25) and the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra (2022–24), where he served as principal cellist.

"Neel is an incredible musician who is highly respected and regarded by his peers and has done a tremendous job in leading and helping other students while at Harrison. He is kind, thoughtful, honest, and inspires all those around him to be their very best. I have no doubt that he will continue this as he leaves Harrison and pursues his undergraduate degree at Emory University," concluded Director Mori about his outstanding student.

In addition to his orchestral experience, Neel is an avid chamber musician. He was a member of the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Honors String Quartets and Octets and participated in the Franklin Pond Chamber Music program, where his ensemble received second prize in the 2024 Franklin Pond Chamber Music Competition.