10. WWWSTAR Awards Special Prize Winners 2026.
Sarah Emily Barnhardt - Rising Star Special Award
Sarah Emily Barnhardt is a 13-year-old cellist, she holds American and Polish dual citizenship. Sarah began her musical education in 2019. She has studied at music schools in Warsaw and Gdańsk, performing regularly in solo, orchestral and school concerts, while developing her artistic skills with dedication and curiosity.
She is currently a student at the Secondary Music School in Gdańsk named after Fryderyk Chopin, where she continues her cello studies and also studies piano. To broaden her musical experience, Sarah has participated in several workshops and masterclasses, including cello workshops in Warsaw and with Tanya Bechtler, artistic director and founder of the Bechtler Ensemble in the United States.
In addition to cello, Sarah has a strong passion for singing and enjoys performing songs from the Eurovision Song Contest. Alongside her musical studies, she attends the International School of Gdańsk, following the International Baccalaureate programme.
Sarah aspires to build an international solo career as a cellist and singer. In April 2026, she was awarded First Prize and the Rising Star Award Distinction at the Star Awards International Music Competition in Hungary, marking an important milestone in her artistic development.
Kamila Ozerova - "Musician of the Year" Special Award.
Kamila Ozerova is an internationally acclaimed pianist originally from Azerbaijan. She was born in Moscow and currently lives in the Czech Republic. Her musical education began at the Basic Art School in Třebíč, and she later continued her studies at the Brno Conservatory, where she graduated with honours in 2021 under the pedagogical guidance of Mgr. Eva Horáková. For her graduation performance, she performed Piano Concerto No. 1 in B minor with the Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic Orchestra in Zlín, conducted by Leoš Svárovský. Since 2021, she has been studying at the Janáček Academy of Performing Arts in Brno under the guidance of Prof. MgA. Alena Vlasáková. In 2023, she completed her Bachelor's studies with a red diploma and was accepted into the Master's programme. Alongside her artistic studies and concert activity, she has also been teaching piano at the Basic Art School in Třebíč since 2019.
Kamila Ozerova has achieved outstanding success at numerous international piano competitions across Europe, Asia and the United States. Her awards include first prizes, absolute winner titles and special jury prizes at competitions in Brno, Prague, Ostrava, Teplice, Brussels, London, Vienna, New York, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Krakow, Dresden and other international venues. She has also performed in Italy as part of the Agimus Music Festival, presenting recital programmes in Venice, Padova and Abano Terme.