National Hispanic Cultural Center Admission: $34–$78; Students $10 (also available with the NMPhil Sound Card) Reserve Tickets: https://my.nmculture.org/47966/47968 nmphil.org
Awards Ceremony & Winners’ Recital
Sunday, October 19, 2025
7 p.m., MDT
National Hispanic Cultural Center Free Admission
VENUES
Competition Locations
CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL
1901 University Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone: (505) 884-2500
ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/ albuquerque
IMMANUEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
114 Carlisle Blvd SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
Phone: (505) 265-7628
rt66church.com
NATIONAL HISPANIC CULTURAL CENTER
1701 4th St SW Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone: (505) 246-2261 nhccnm.org
COMPETITION Etiquette
• As a courtesy to each competitor, please refrain from conversation and remain in your seat during a performance.
• During Competition rounds, audience members may enter or leave only between each competitor’s performance, not between individual pieces.
Please do not applaud until each competitor has concluded the performance of the final selection of their program.
Children must be 6 or older and accompanied by an adult to be admitted.
• No smoking, eating, or drinking are permitted in the Competition venues. Only authorized use of cameras and recording equipment is permitted.
• Please silence all electronic timepieces, cell phones, and other electronic devices during Competition performances.
LETTER FROM THE Mayor
Dear Pianists and Guests,
Timothy M. Keller | Mayor
Lawrence
Rael | Chief Administrative Officer
Katarina Sandoval | Chief Operations
Mike Puelle | Chief of Staff
Timothy M. Keller | Mayor
Sanjay Bhakta | Chief Financial Officer
Officer
Lawrence Rael | Chief Administrative Officer
Katarina Sandoval | Chief Operations Officer
Mike Puelle | Chief of Staff
Sanjay Bhakta | Chief Financial Officer
Welcome to the Land of Enchantment and our beautiful City of Albuquerque, filled with music, arts, and culture! The Third Olga Kern International Piano Competition featured 21 outstanding pianists, ages 18-32, in the Virtual First Round this past July. Twelve of these brilliant artists were advanced to the In- Person Second Round in Albuquerque, taking place October 23-30
Welcome to the Land of Enchantment and our beautiful city of Albuquerque.
Welcome to the Land of Enchantment and our beautiful City of Albuquerque, filled with music, arts, and culture! The Third Olga Kern International Piano Competition featured 21 outstanding pianists, ages 18-32, in the Virtual First Round this past July. Twelve of these brilliant artists were advanced to the In- Person Second Round in Albuquerque, taking place October 23-30
Following a rigorous preselection process, the Fourth Olga Kern International Piano Competition has invited 22 exceptional pianists, ages 18 to 32, to participate in the competition rounds taking place here October 12-19.
The City of Albuquerque invites everyone to take the opportunity to learn about Albuquerque and its rich history, go for a hike, or attend any number of exciting events the city has to offer. I hope you will have a chance to visit the museums in the area as well as the ABQ BioPark that includes our Zoo, Aquarium, and Botanic Garden, a place that is deeply loved by people of all ages. For those who enjoy history, I hope that you will take a stroll in Old Town and feel as if you are transported back 316 years when Albuquerque was founded, or take a hike in the Petroglyph National Monument to step in the footsteps of many generations of Native Americans who stopped there to leave their mark during their travels. We are also very proud of the unique Balloon Museum and its grounds, which host the Balloon Fiesta every year at the beginning of October.
The City of Albuquerque invites everyone to take the opportunity to learn about Albuquerque and its rich history, go for a hike, or attend any number of exciting events the city has to offer. I hope you will have a chance to visit the museums in the area as well as the ABQ BioPark that includes our Zoo, Aquarium, and Botanic Garden, a place that is deeply loved by people of all ages. For those who enjoy history, I hope that you will take a stroll in Old Town and feel as if you are transported back 316 years when Albuquerque was founded, or take a hike in the Petroglyph National Monument to step in the footsteps of many generations of Native Americans who stopped there to leave their mark during their travels. We are also very proud of the unique Balloon Museum and its grounds, which host the Balloon Fiesta every year at the beginning of October.
We are so pleased to host this distinguished event, and we welcome you to enjoy our scenic and historic city and the unique culture that makes Albuquerque so celebrated. Hopefully, you’ll get the chance to visit some of our local attractions such as Old Town, the spectacular Sandia Mountains and tram, the world-class BioPark Zoo, and of course, sample some of our delicious regional cuisine. I am certain your time with us will be memorable.
I would like to thank the New Mexico Philharmonic, Olga Kern, and all who are supporting the Third Olga Kern International Piano Competition.
I would like to thank the New Mexico Philharmonic, Olga Kern, and all who are supporting the Third Olga Kern International Piano Competition.
On behalf of our city, I would like to extend sincere thanks to Olga Kern, the New Mexico Philharmonic, and those who support the Competition for choosing Albuquerque as its host city. May your week be filled with sublime music and the many wonders our city and state have to offer.
Have a wonderful week immersed in sublime classical music as well as all the beauty our city and state have to offer.
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
Have a wonderful week immersed in sublime classical music as well as all the beauty our city and state have to offer.
Sincerely,
TIMOTHY M. KELLER Mayor
Timothy M. Keller Mayor
Timothy M. Keller Mayor
WELCOME FROM
Olga Kern
It is with great joy that I welcome you to the Fourth Olga Kern International Piano Competition, once again taking place in the beautiful city of Albuquerque.
This summer, we began the selection process, where we heard an extraordinary group of young pianists. Out of nearly 200 applicants, the Selection Jury identified 22 outstanding artists who were invited to the Land of Enchantment to compete and share their artistry with us throughout this remarkable week.
Since our inaugural Competition in 2016, it has been inspiring to watch the careers of our laureates flourish. Many of them now perform worldwide—appearing with orchestras across four continents and giving recitals on prestigious stages. As we celebrate this year’s Competition, we eagerly await the opportunity to support a new winner on their journey to international success.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the members of our Selection Jury for their careful work in choosing the competitors, and to our distinguished panel of Jurors—renowned artists from around the globe—who have traveled here to dedicate their expertise and passion to this event.
This Competition would not be possible without the collaboration and generosity of many. I am deeply thankful to the New Mexico Philharmonic, the City of Albuquerque, our donors, host families, volunteers, and friends from around the world who come together to make this celebration of music possible.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being here and for sharing in the joy of this extraordinary week of music-making.
With warmest wishes,
OLGA KERN
Artistic Director & President of the Jury
WELCOME FROM
Steinway & Sons
Dear Distinguished Competitor,
On behalf of Steinway & Sons, I extend heartfelt congratulations on your selection to participate in the Fourth Olga Kern International Piano Competition. Being invited to such an esteemed event is a true reflection of your exceptional talent, dedication, and countless hours of hard work.
We are proud that Steinway is the official piano of this prestigious Competition and honored to support the mission of the Olga Kern International Piano Competition— to offer a world-class platform for emerging pianists to launch and grow their international careers.
I hope your time at the Competition becomes a cherished milestone in your musical journey, and that it inspires even greater passion for your artistry and the piano repertoire. Wishing you continued success during this exciting week and in all your future musical endeavors.
Sincerely,
GAVIN ENGLISH President, Steinway & Sons—Americas
WELCOME FROM THE Executive Director
It is a true honor to welcome you to the final stages of the Fourth Olga Kern International Piano Competition.
The Competition was accepted into the World Federation of International Music Competitions three years ago, joining the ranks of the most prestigious music competitions worldwide. This recognition affirms the vision of the Competition and its growing impact on the international music community.
We are thrilled to host 22 outstanding competitors and nine distinguished jurors here in Albuquerque. To the pianists, I wish you an unforgettable experience—may this week of music-making, set against the natural beauty of New Mexico, create memories you will treasure for a lifetime.
This event would not be possible without the support of so many. My heartfelt thanks go to the City of Albuquerque, the New Mexico Philharmonic, our generous donors, and our audiences both near and far. Your dedication and encouragement ensure that this Competition continues to flourish and inspire.
Welcome, and thank you for being part of this extraordinary celebration of artistry and excellence.
With appreciation,
MARIAN TANAU
Executive Director
WELCOME
FROM THE
President of the Board
I am delighted to welcome you to the Fourth Olga Kern International Piano Competition.
Since its inception in 2016, this Competition has blossomed into an internationally recognized platform for discovering and nurturing the next generation of world-class pianists. Our past winners are already building remarkable careers, and we know that this year’s laureates will follow in their footsteps.
Throughout this week, you will experience inspiring performances from some of the most gifted young pianists in the world. We are especially proud that the finalists will share the stage with the New Mexico Philharmonic in the final round, giving audiences the thrill of hearing these rising stars in concerto performances with a full orchestra.
Albuquerque and New Mexico provide a vibrant backdrop for this event. We hope you will take time to enjoy the Land of Enchantment’s many treasures—its breathtaking natural beauty, unique cultural offerings, and world-renowned hospitality.
This Competition could not take place without the generosity and dedication of many. We extend heartfelt thanks to the City of Albuquerque for its steadfast support; to Steinway & Sons for providing the magnificent instruments used throughout the Competition; and to our donors, whose contributions sustain this vision and ensure its future. We are also deeply grateful to the families who open their homes to our competitors and to the many volunteers whose time and talents make every aspect of this week possible.
The Olga Kern International Piano Competition enriches our community, elevates Albuquerque and New Mexico on the global stage, and brings the joy of premier artistry to us all. Thank you for being part of this extraordinary celebration of music.
With gratitude,
MAUREEN BACA President of the Board
RULES
Rules & Regulations for the 2025 Competition Rounds
DRAWING
The drawing reception for the First Round will take place at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Ranchers Club of New Mexico. Performance order will be determined on the evening of Sunday, October 12, 2025 The contestant who draws “Number 1” will perform their solo recital first, followed by the contestant who draws “Number 2,” and so on. This order will be maintained throughout subsequent rounds of the Competition, except for the Final Round; see below. The contestants advancing to the Semifinal Round will perform in ascending order. For example, if the following contestants advance—Numbers 2, 6, 10—the contestant order of the Semifinal Round would be 2, 6, 10. The Jury has the discretion to change this order due to accident, illness, or other circumstances.
FIRST ROUND
Following the prescreening round, there will be 22 contestants selected to perform in the First Round at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Monday and Tuesday, October 13–14 from 9 a.m.–7:15 p.m. The First Round will consist of a 30–45-minute recital including the following:
1. One Prelude and Fugue by J.S. Bach (chosen from either book of The WellTempered Clavier), or two contrasting sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti
2. Two contrasting etudes chosen from the following composers:
Frédéric Chopin
Franz Liszt
Sergei Rachmaninoff
Alexander Scriabin
Claude Debussy
Sergei Prokofiev
Karol Szymanowski
György Ligeti
3. One sonata by Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, or Ludwig van Beethoven
4. One short piece by Rachmaninoff chosen from the following:
Transcriptions
Preludes Op. 23 or Op. 32
Pieces Op. 3 or Op. 10
Polka de W.R.
Music in the preliminary round may be repeated from the screening round. Recitals are recorded on video and livestreamed on the Competition website. At the end of the First Round on Tuesday, October 14, the Jury will deliberate and choose 9 contestants who will advance to the Quarterfinal Round. The names of the
contestants advanced to the Quarterfinal Round will be announced the same evening via social media and email.
QUARTERFINAL ROUND
The contestants perform a 60-minute recital on Wednesday, October 15 from 10 a.m.–9:00 p.m. at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Recitals are recorded on video and livestreamed on the Competition website.
1. Work(s) of contestant’s choice
2. Required piece written specifically for the Olga Kern International Piano Competition (5–6 minutes long), sent to contestants two months prior to the Competition
Pianists in this round can choose their performance piano from the two official pianos provided by Steinway & Sons, the Competition sponsor. Each pianist is allotted 15 minutes to perform on the two pianos and make their choice. This process will take place on the evening of Tuesday, October 14 for contestants selected to advance to the Quarterfinal Round, in the order of the contestants’ numbers. The choice of piano will be carried over to the Semifinal Round. All piano choices are final. No changes are allowed.
At the end of the Quarterfinal Round on Wednesday, October 15, the Jury will deliberate and choose 5 contestants to advance to the Semifinal Round. The names of the contestants advanced to the Semifinal Round will be announced the same evening at the venue as well as via social media and email.
SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC
On Friday, October 17 from 1 p.m.–6 p.m., Semifinal Round contestants will choose one of the following piano quintets to perform with the Dalí Quartet:
Johannes Brahms: Piano Quintet in f minor, Op. 34
Antonín Dvořák: Piano Quintet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 81, B. 155
Robert Schumann: Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44
César Franck: Piano Quintet in f minor
At the end of the Semifinal Round on Friday, October 17, the Jury will deliberate and choose 3 contestants to advance to the Final Round. The names of the contestants advanced to the Final Round will be announced the same evening at the venue as well as via social media and email.
FINAL ROUND
The Final Round will take place on Sunday, October 19 at 2 p.m. at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Final Round contestants will choose one of the following concerti for piano and orchestra:
Béla Bartók: Piano Concerti Nos. 2 or 3
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerti Nos. 3, 4, or 5
Johannes Brahms: Piano Concerti Nos. 1 or 2
Frédéric Chopin: Piano Concerti Nos. 1 or 2
George Gershwin: Concerto in F
Edvard Grieg: Piano Concerto in a minor
Franz Liszt: Piano Concerti Nos. 1 or 2
Sergei Prokofiev: Piano Concerti Nos. 1, 2, or 3
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerti Nos. 1, 2, or 3, or Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Maurice Ravel: Piano Concerto in G Major
Robert Schumann: Piano Concerto in a minor
Alexander Scriabin: Piano Concerto in f-sharp minor
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerti Nos. 1 or 2
The finalists will perform a concerto with the New Mexico Philharmonic on Sunday, October 19 at 2 p.m. at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. They will participate in two rehearsals prior to the concert as follows: Saturday, October 18 from 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 19 from 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Each contestant will have a prerehearsal meeting of approximately 20–30 minutes with the conductor. The numbers of the contestants will be carried over from the Quarterfinal and Semifinal Rounds. However, the order of the contestants may be changed depending on the repertoire. The order of the contestants will be decided on Friday, October 17 after the announcement of the advancing contestants. The finalists will be notified that evening.
The piano choice from the Semifinal Round can be carried over for each contestant, but a decision change to use the other piano will be allowed before the first rehearsal with the New Mexico Philharmonic. That choice is final.
At the end of the concert, the Jury will deliberate and announce the winner and subsequent positions of the remaining contestants. The audience will fill out a ballot or vote on the website for the Audience Award.
AWARDS CEREMONY & WINNERS’ RECITAL
The Awards Ceremony and Winners’ Recital will take place on Sunday, October 19 at 7 p.m. at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque. The performance order and repertoire will be decided on Saturday, October 18. The repertoire choices will be made by Olga Kern as well as members of the Jury and will include works previously performed during the First and Quarterfinal Rounds of the Competition.
COMPETITION REPERTOIRE
Required Repertoire
Everything must be performed from memory and all printed repeats must be taken.
FIRST ROUND
THE FIRST ROUND WILL CONSIST OF
A 30–45-MINUTE RECITAL INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING:
1. One Prelude and Fugue by J.S. Bach (chosen from either book of The Well-Tempered Clavier), or two contrasting sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti
2. Two contrasting etudes chosen from the following composers:
Frédéric Chopin
Franz Liszt
Sergei Rachmaninoff
Alexander Scriabin
Claude Debussy
Sergei Prokofiev
Karol Szymanowski
György Ligeti
3. One sonata by Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, or Ludwig van Beethoven
4. One short piece by Rachmaninoff chosen from the following:
• Transcriptions
• Preludes Op. 23 or Op. 32
• Pieces Op. 3 or Op. 10
• Polka de W.R.
Music in the preliminary round may be repeated from the screening round. Recitals are recorded on video and livestreamed on the Competition website.
QUARTERFINAL ROUND
THE CONTESTANTS PERFORM
A 60-MINUTE RECITAL AT THE NATIONAL HISPANIC CULTURAL CENTER IN ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO. RECITALS ARE RECORDED ON VIDEO AND LIVESTREAMED ON THE COMPETITION WEBSITE.
1. Work(s) of contestant’s choice
2. Required piece written specifically for the Olga Kern International Piano Competition (5-6 minutes long), sent to contestants two months prior to the Competition
Semifinal Round—CHAMBER MUSIC
SEMIFINAL ROUND CONTESTANTS WILL CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING PIANO QUINTETS TO PERFORM WITH THE DALÍ QUARTET.
• Johannes Brahms: Piano Quintet in f minor, Op. 34
• Antonín Dvořák: Piano Quintet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 81, B. 155
• Robert Schumann: Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44
• César Franck: Piano Quintet in f minor
FINAL ROUND
CONTESTANT’S CHOICE OF ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CONCERTI FOR PIANO AND ORCHESTRA:
• Béla Bartók: Piano Concerti Nos. 2 or 3
• Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerti Nos. 3, 4, or 5
• Johannes Brahms: Piano Concerti Nos. 1 or 2
• Frédéric Chopin: Piano Concerti Nos. 1 or 2
• George Gershwin: Concerto in F
• Edvard Grieg: Piano Concerto in a minor
• Franz Liszt: Piano Concerti Nos. 1 or 2
• Sergei Prokofiev: Piano Concerti Nos. 1, 2, or 3
• Sergei Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerti Nos. 1, 2, or 3, or Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
• Maurice Ravel: Piano Concerto in G Major
• Robert Schumann: Piano Concerto in a minor
• Alexander Scriabin: Piano Concerto in f-sharp minor
• Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerti Nos. 1 or 2
COMPETITION PRIZES Awards & Prizes
Awards for the Fourth Olga Kern International Piano Competition (2025) include more than $40,000 in cash prizes. The First Prize winner will be awarded international concert engagements throughout the U.S. and Europe and a professional recording.
The Fourth Olga Kern International Piano Competition (2025) will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, from October 12 through October 19, 2025. The announcement of winners will occur at the end of the Competition week. The Olga Kern International Piano Competition will award the following prizes and perks to the winners of the 2025 Competition:
First Prize / Supported by Charles & Eugenia Eberle / $20,000
In addition to the cash prize, the Olga Kern International Piano Competition will provide multiple concert engagements through the end of 2028, a professionally produced recording released on the Steinway & Sons label, and three years of artist management provided by the Competition.
Second Prize / Supported by Lee Blaugrund / $10,000
Third Prize / Supported by Noémi Neidorf in Memory of Michael Neidorff / $5,000
Best Contemporary Piece Prize / $1,000
Audience Award / $1,000
Aspiration Special Prize / $500
Best Bach Interpretation Prize / $500
Semifinalist Honorable Mention / $500
More prize opportunities, as well as increased awards, may become possible closer to the Competition time and will be announced as soon as they are available. Please check back to see the updated prize offerings.
To help make participation more accessible, the Olga Kern International Piano Competition will provide:
$200 travel stipend for U.S.-based contestants
$400 travel stipend for international contestants
Free lodging with local host families, many of whom provide meals and warm hospitality
CONCERT ENGAGEMENTS Performance Partners for the First-Prize Winner
RECITAL AT GABER AUDITORIUM
Milan, Italy
Presented by Fondazione La Società dei Concerti soconcerti.it
RECITAL AT THE UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S.
Presented by the International Keyboard Odyssiad® & Festival, U.S.A. odyssiad.com
RECITAL AT LIED CENTER OF KANSAS University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, U.S. lied.ku.edu
RECITAL AT THE PLACITAS ARTISTS SERIES
Placitas, New Mexico, U.S. placitasartistsseries.org
RECITAL AS PART OF THE VIRGINIA ARTS FESTIVAL
Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. vafest.org
CONCERTO WITH THE NEW MEXICO PHILHARMONIC Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. Presented by the New Mexico Philharmonic nmphil.org
CONCERTO WITH THE JOHANNESBURG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Johannesburg, South Africa
Presented by the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra jpo.co.za
CONCERTO WITH THE KZN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Durban, South Africa
Presented by the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra kznphil.org.za
SARASOTA MUSIC MONDAYS
Presented by the Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning sillsarasota.org
Olga Kern
PIANIST, COMPOSER OF THE REQUIRED CONTEMPORARY PIECE, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & PRESIDENT OF THE JURY
With a vivid onstage presence, dazzling technique, and keen musicianship, pianist Olga Kern is widely recognized as one of the great artists of her generation, captivating audiences and critics alike.
She was born into a family of musicians and began studying piano at the age of 5. At 17, she was awarded first prize at the Rachmaninoff International Piano Competition, and in 2001, she launched her U.S. career, winning a historic Gold Medal at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition—the only woman in the last 50 years to do so.
A Steinway Artist, Olga is a laureate of several international competitions. In 2016, she was Jury Chairman of both the Cliburn International Amateur Piano Competition and the first Olga Kern International Piano Competition, where she also holds the title of Artistic Director. In December 2021, Olga was Jury Chairman of the 1st Chopin Animato International Piano competition in Paris, France. In coming seasons, she will continue to serve on the juries of several high-level competitions. Olga frequently gives master classes, and since 2017 has served on the piano faculty of the Manhattan School of Music. Also in 2017, Olga received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor (New York City). In 2019, she was appointed the Connie & Marc Jacobson
Director of Chamber Music at the Virginia Arts Festival.
Olga has performed with many prominent orchestras, including the St. Louis Symphony, Pacific Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra (Washington, D.C.), as well as the Czech Philharmonic, Orchestra Filarmonica della Scala, Pittsburgh Symphony, São Paulo Symphony Orchestra, Iceland Symphony, Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie, Tokyo’s NHK Symphony Orchestra, and Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. She was also a featured soloist on U.S. tours with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in 2018 and 2022, and during the 2017/2018 season, she served as Artist-in-Residence with the San Antonio Symphony. Highlights of the 2021/2022 season included performances with the Austin Symphony, Palm Beach Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, Santa Rosa Symphony, Greensboro Symphony, Madison Symphony, New Mexico Philharmonic, Concerto Budapest Symphony Orchestra, and Academia Teatro alla Scala. She appeared as a soloist on a U.S. tour with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine and performed recitals in Savannah, Sunriver, Huntsville, Fort Worth, Carmel, and Minneapolis as well as in Portugal, Poland, and Sweden. In the 2022/2023 season, she appeared with the Dallas Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony, Orquesta Filarmónica de Gran Canaria, Ireland’s National Symphony Orchestra, and Colorado Symphony. She performed recitals at the Minnesota Beethoven Festival and the International Piano Festival of Oeiras as well as in Brno and Mariánské Lázně, Czech Republic; Virginia Beach; Chicago; and San Francisco. In the 2023/2024 season, she performed Rachmaninoff’s four piano concertos and Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini with the Austin Symphony and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, appeared with the Czech Philharmonic on a nationwide telecast, and toured South Africa and Asia.
In 2012, Olga established the Kern Foundation “Aspiration,” which supports talented musicians around the world.
Olga’s discography includes a
Harmonia Mundi recording of the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Christopher Seaman; her Grammy®-nominated disc of Rachmaninoff’s Corelli Variations and other transcriptions; and Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Warsaw Philharmonic and Antoni Wit. Other notable releases include Chopin’s Piano Sonatas Nos. 2 and 3 and SONY’s release of the Rachmaninoff Sonata for Cello and Piano with Sol Gabetta. Olga released a new CD in 2022 on the Delos label of Brahms and Shostakovich quintets with the Dalí Quartet.
She is featured in award-winning documentaries about the 2001 Cliburn Competition: The Cliburn: Playing on the Edge, They Came to Play, and Olga’s Journey
Jacqueline Tang Beihua
COMPETITION
JURY
Jacqueline Tang Beihua is a distinguished piano professor at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and serves as a guest professor at both the Tianjin Conservatory of Music and Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
She is also chair of the U.S. branch of the Shanghai Western Returned Scholars Association and president of the Pacific Musicians Society.
Highly regarded as both a pedagogue and performer, Professor Tang has
served on the juries of numerous prestigious international piano competitions, including the Concurso Internacional de Piano Premio Jaén and the Conservatorio Municipal de Música “José Iturbi” de Valencia in Spain, the Premio Mauro Paolo Monopoli in Italy, and events in Gabala (Azerbaijan), South Carolina (USA), and competitions hosted by China’s national broadcaster, CCTV.
Her excellence in teaching has been widely recognized. She received the Grand Prix at the Annual Award for Outstanding Teachers presented by the Shanghai Culture and Arts Talent Fund and was awarded second prize in the He Luting Prize for Teaching Excellence by the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.
As a concert pianist, she has appeared as a soloist with major orchestras, including the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra, the Central Philharmonic Society in Beijing (now the China National Symphony Orchestra), the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Shanxi Symphony Orchestra. Her performances have featured works by Chopin, Mozart, and the iconic Yellow River Piano Concerto. She has also presented solo recitals, lectures, and master classes across France, Italy, and the United States.
Professor Tang’s contributions to music scholarship include her acclaimed Chinese translation of Notes from the Pianist’s Bench by Boris Berman, which has been reprinted 15 times. Her recording of Chinese piano repertoire has reached more than 50 million listeners on a major news platform in China.
Her students have gone on to achieve remarkable success on the global stage: Qin Yunyi became the first Chinese pianist to win the 50th Concurso Internacional de Piano Premio Jaén. Yin Cunmo has earned top honors at both the International Telekom Beethoven Competition in Bonn and the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition, and is now the first Chinese faculty member at the affiliated middle school of the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover in Germany. Zhang Shengliang, known professionally as Niu Niu, is one of the most sought-after concert pianists of his generation.
Enrica Ciccarelli
COMPETITION JURY
Enrica Ciccarelli is a pianist, teacher, and Artistic Director of Fondazione La Società dei Concerti in Milano.
Following her debut in 1992 at the Salle Gaveau in Paris, Enrica Ciccarelli has performed with important European, Asian, and American orchestras, and she worked with numerous international musicians, including Salvatore Accardo, Pavel Kogan, Alexander Kniazev, Mariella Devia, Aldo Ceccato, Paul BaduraSkoda, Amarlli Nizza, Milan Hòrvath, Joseph Silverstein, Alexander Shelley, JoAnn Falletta, Pavel Berman, Claudio Scimone, and Toshiyuki Kamioka. Described by the press as a “soloist full of temperament,” Enrica has been invited to perform at the Festival de Radio France, the Festival Pianistico di Brescia e Bergamo, the Liubljana Festival, the International Chamber Music Festival in Cervo, the Festival de Montreux, and the Beijing International Piano Festival. She graduated from the “G. Verdi” Conservatory in Milan, where she also studied organ. She attended master classes with Pommier, Graf, Magaloff, Nikolajewa, and Sergiu Celibidache. Enrica has performed at Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Salzburg Festspielhaus, Munich Herkulessaal, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Teatro Comunale in Florence, Teatro di San Carlo in Napoli, New York Carnegie Hall, Megaron Hall in Athens, Berlin Konzerthaus, Le Corum in Montepellier, Tonhalle in Zurich, Kiev Philharmonic Hall,
Bruxelles Conservatoire and Bozar, City Hall in Hong-Kong, Seoul Arts Center, Auditorium Belgrano in Buenos Aires, Poly Theatre, Forbidden City Theatre, and the National Centre for Performing Arts in Beijing. Her discography contains amongst others recording of Clara and Robert Schumann Piano Concertos; works by Schumann, Beethoven, Weber, Schubert, and Mussorgsky; and the world-premiere recording of Pauline Viardot’s transcriptions of Chopin mazurkas for voice and piano. Her last album with Argentinian soprano Ivanna Speranza is dedicated to Francesco Paolo Tosti. Enrica Ciccarelli is Chairman and Artistic Director of Fondazione La Società dei Concerti in Milano.
Robert W. Cross
COMPETITION JURY
Robert W. Cross is the visionary founder and artistic director of the Virginia Arts Festival, transforming it into a world-class cultural destination through acclaimed performances, innovative commissions, and impactful arts education initiatives.
Robert W. Cross founded the Virginia Arts Festival in 1997 and has served as its only executive director and artistic director. During his tenure, the Festival has blossomed into one of the major arts events on the East Coast, transforming the cultural life of Virginia’s Hampton Roads region and making the area a cultural destination for travelers from around the world. The combination of
COMPETITION JURY
stellar performances and easy access to some of America’s finest historical sites and beaches has proved irresistible.
The Washington Post has called the Virginia Arts Festival the “Tidewater Tanglewood.” From a two-week festival in its first year, it has tripled in size and attendance. During its 2023/2024 season, the Festival presented 71 ticketed performances throughout the region from mid-March through June, with patrons traveling from 45 states and 7 countries.
Cross conceived the Virginia Arts Festival as a unique public-private partnership that receives support from area governments as well as corporations, foundations, and individuals. The Festival has also become a provider of arts education throughout the communities of southeastern Virginia. The Festival reaches more than 30,000 area young people each year through special performances for students, master classes, and workshops.
As the Festival’s Perry Artistic Director, Mr. Cross has drawn on his decades of experience as a manager, programmer, and performer to build relationships with such distinguished dance companies as the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, Mark Morris Dance Group, Dance Theatre of Harlem and England’s Birmingham Royal Ballet. The Festival has brought world-class theater to Virginia, including performances by the Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre of Scotland’s critically acclaimed drama Black Watch. The Festival has welcomed such prominent musicians as Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bell, Lang Lang, Midori, Herbie Hancock, Van Cliburn, Renée Fleming, Steve Reich, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Bavarian Radio Orchestra, and the Tokyo, Guarneri, Emerson and Kronos string quartets. The Festival has presented renowned Americana, folk, blues, and pop artists such as Kristin Chenoweth, Renée Goldsberry, Rosanne Cash, Jason Isbell, Martina McBride, and Laufey.
the commissioning projects Mr. Cross has shepherded are: Ricky Ian Gordon’s and Mark Campbell’s Civil War opera Rappahannock County; a new staging of the Maxwell Anderson/Kurt Weill musical Lost in the Stars; a new staging of Romeo and Juliet by choreographer Mark Morris, set to the never-performed original Prokofiev score; and Dance Theater of Harlem’s 2019 world premiere of Passage. Virginia Arts Festival recordings for Naxos include Rappahannock County, Stravinsky’s Les Noces and The Soldier’s Tale, and the Schoenberg transcriptions of Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde and Songs of a Wayfarer Additional Festival recordings include Peter and the Wolf: A Special Report for NPR Classics, and the debut recording of the DiGiallonardo Sisters, who are frequent guests on A Prairie Home Companion, which has broadcast from the Festival multiple times.
Cross graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied percussion with Vic Firth of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. As a performer, he has worked with such conductors as Klaus Tennstedt, Colin Davis, Leonard Bernstein, Joseph Silverstein, Lukas Foss, and JoAnn Falletta. He has recorded for Naxos, Northeastern Records, NPR Classics, Albany, and New Albion.
Cross has also enjoyed a long association with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. He joined the orchestra in 1981, and six years later was made principal percussionist, a position he still holds. He has performed at the Leonard Bernstein Festival of American Music, the Skaneateles Festival, Brevard, Eastern Music Festival, and the American Repertory Theater. In the pit with some of the world’s most prestigious ballet companies, Cross has accompanied the Bolshoi Ballet, Kirov Ballet, New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Boston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, and the Martha Graham Dance Company.
Igal Kesselman
COMPETITION JURY
Igal Kesselman is an acclaimed pianist and music educator, celebrated for his dynamic performances and leadership at New York’s Kaufman Music Center.
Praised for his “kaleidoscopic” playing by The New York Times, pianist Igal Kesselman is one of today’s most forward-thinking performers and music educators. After making his American debut with the Washington Chamber Symphony at the Kennedy Center, he has performed throughout the country in such venues as Alice Tully Hall, Symphony Space, and Merkin Hall at Kaufman Music Center in New York City; the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C.; and the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach.
In addition to bringing top artists from around the world, Mr. Cross has made it the Festival’s mission to create and sustain new art from both international performers and area companies. Among
Highlights from recent seasons include a performance of Mozart’s Double Concerto with pianist Orli Shaham and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA, solo recitals for subscription series at Tel Aviv University and Arizona State University, and performances with Rob Kapilow on the What Makes It Great? series at Merkin Hall. He also conducted master classes at Oberlin Conservatory, the Colburn School in Los Angeles, Buchmann-Mehta School of Music at Tel Aviv University, Boston University Tanglewood Institute in Lenox, MA, Jerusalem Academy of Music, and Arizona State University at Tempe.
Dr. Kesselman was a top prizewinner at the “Citta de Marsala” International
Piano Competition in Italy and is a past recipient of ten America-Israel Cultural Foundation Scholarships. He received his B.M. degree, cum laude, from S. Rubin Academy of Music in Tel Aviv, and his M.M. and DMA degrees from the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore. His teachers have included Yoheved Kaplinsky, Emanuel Krasovsky, and Irina Zaritskaya. Currently, he serves as the Director of Lucy Moses School and Music Director of Special Music School (M. 859) at Kaufman Music Center in Manhattan, and curates the popular Tuesday Matinees series at Kaufman’s Merkin Hall. Dr. Kesselman serves frequently as a judge in international competitions and auditions, including the Concert Artist Guild, New Orleans International Piano Competition, Astral Artists, Virginia Wering International Piano Competition, and Boston University. The Founder and Artistic Director of the Kaufman Music Center International Youth Piano Competition, he is also a member of the piano faculty at Lucy Moses School and Special Music School at Kaufman Music Center.
Dr. Kesselman is a Steinway Artist.
Piers Lane
COMPETITION JURY
Piers Lane is a celebrated London-based Australian pianist known for his versatility, international performances, acclaimed recordings, and influential roles as an artistic director, competition judge, and champion of new music.
London-based Australian pianist Piers Lane has a worldwide reputation as an engaging, searching, and highly versatile performer, at home equally in solo, chamber, and concerto repertoire. Five-time soloist at the BBC Proms, his wide-ranging concerto repertoire exceeds one hundred works and has led to engagements with many of the world’s great orchestras, working recently with conductors Sir Andrew Davis, Vassily Sinaisky, Gerard Schwartz, and Brett Dean. Festival appearances have included Aldeburgh, Bard, Bath Mostly Mozart, Bergen, Cheltenham, Como Autumn Music, Prague Spring, Rockport, La Roque d’Anthéron, Ruhr Klavierfestival, Schloss vor Husum, Seattle, and the Chopin festivals in Warsaw, Duszniki-Zdrój, Mallorca, and Paris.
He has performed in more than forty countries, highlights including annual Wigmore Hall solo recitals and concerto performances in London’s major halls and at Carnegie Hall, including a performance of the mighty Busoni Concerto. In 2015, Piers Lane was appointed Artistic Director of the Sydney International Piano Competition and is responsible for initiatives such as the 2021 Online Piano Competition, the Piano Lovers’ Competition for amateur Australian pianists, and Composing the Future, a competition to help Australian composers and pianists during COVID. He is a popular judge at international piano competitions and has also judged the Menuhin International Violin Competition and the Michael Hill International Violin Competition. His extensive collaborations with violinist Tasmin Little CBE, actress Dame Patricia Routledge (in the Dame Myra Hess exploration Admission: One Shilling), and the Goldner String Quartet have been of major importance. He is a member of the recently formed chamber group Amici della Musica. In recent seasons, Piers Lane performed three concerti at Carnegie Hall, including the New York premiere of Ferdinand Ries’s Piano Concerto No. 8 for the debut of The Orchestra Now (TŌN), and world premieres of Carl Vine’s Second Piano Concerto and Double Piano Concerto (with Kathryn Stott), Implacable Gifts, both written for him.
His extensive discography for Hyperion includes much admired recordings of rare Romantic piano concertos, the complete Malcolm Williamson piano concertos, the complete preludes and etudes by Scriabin, transcriptions of Bach and Strauss, along with complete collections of concert etudes by Saint-Saëns, Moscheles, and Henselt, and transcriptions by Grainger. He has also recorded eleven volumes of piano quintets with the Goldner String Quartet for Hyperion, many CDs with Tasmin Little for Chandos, further solo and chamber CDs for EMI, Phillips, Dutton, Unicorn Kanchana, and Mozart Concertos for ABC Classics. Recent releases include a Hyperion follow-up to the popular Piers Goes to Town and awaiting release is a disc of Russian variations.
Piers Lane was Artistic Director of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music from 2007 to 2017, and from 2006 to 2013 directed the annual Myra Hess Day at the National Gallery in London. He has written and presented more than 100 programmes for BBC Radio 3, including the 54-part series The Piano and has premiered works by such composers as Brett Dean, Colin Matthews, Richard Mills, Carl Vine, and Malcolm Williamson. In the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Birthday Honours, he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished services to the arts. In 1994, he was made an Honorary Member of the Royal Academy of Music, where he was a professor from 1989 to 2007. Piers holds Honorary Doctorates from two Australian Universities: Griffith and James Cook. In 2022, he was presented with the coveted Sir Bernard Heinz Award for services to music in Australia.
Álvaro Teixeira Lopes
COMPETITION JURY
Álvaro Teixeira Lopes is an acclaimed pianist, artistic director, and educator known for his international performances, master classes, and leadership roles in prestigious music festivals and competitions worldwide.
Pianist Álvaro Teixeira Lopes is the Artistic Director of the Santa Cecilia International Competition (CISC) and the Santa Cecília International Festival, an invited professor at Aveiro University, and Director of Curso de Música Silva Monteiro (CMSM). He attended the Conservatório de Música do Porto and continued his studies in Vienna and Paris with Paul Badura-Skoda, Noel Flores, and Marian Rybicky. The recipient of several prizes, he developed intense national and international acclaim as a soloist and chamber musician and has been invited to play in some of the most prestigious festivals internationally.
Artistic director of several festivals, Lopes has directed numerous master classes in Portugal, France, Brazil, Taiwan, China, Spain, and Italy, as well as being an invited professor at the Brecia International Festival and Summer Academy. He is frequently invited to join panels of piano competitions and has been a jury member of the Orbetello International Competition, Rospigliosi International Piano Competition, Rina Sala Gallo International Piano
Competition, Iturbi International Piano Competition, Compositores de España, Isidor Bajič International Piano Competition, Pro-Piano, Concours International de Piano de Lyon, Concours International d’Epinal, César Frank International Competition, Cleveland Virtualoso, Maestro Arts Taiwan, Porto Piano International Competition, Festival Internacional de Piano do Rio de Janeiro, and many others all over the world.
Lopes serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of Casa da Música in Porto, Portugal.
Natalia Michailidou
COMPETITION JURY
Natalia Michailidou is an internationally renowned pianist celebrated for her expressive artistry, global performances, and influential role as an educator and festival cofounder.
Natalia Michailidou was born in Istanbul. She began studying piano with her mother and gave her first recital at the age of 5.
With a scholarship from the French government, she studied at the École Normale de Musique in Paris, graduating at the age of 17 with the highest diploma with special distinction. She continued her studies at Washington University (USA), where she obtained a Master’s degree.
Michailidou has given concerts in cities across the U.S., Europe, Asia, and the former Soviet Union. She has performed at international festivals and collaborated
with world-renowned conductors and soloists. As a soloist, she has performed with the symphony orchestras of Istanbul, Seoul, Busan (South Korea), Santa Cecilia (Rome), Moscow Radio, Athens State Orchestra, the Thessaloniki State Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra of the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT), Camerata, the Orchestra of Colors, and Orchestre Colonne (Paris), among others. Many of her concerts have been broadcast live.
Despite her specialization in French music, her pianistic mastery spans an extensive repertoire. Several composers have dedicated works to her, which she has premiered in world-first performances. She has collaborated extensively with composer Eleni Karaindrou and filmmaker Theodoros Angelopoulos.
Michailidou has taught seminars in Greece and at universities abroad. She is a faculty member at the Athens Conservatory, the Nikos Skalkottas Conservatory, and the École Normale de Musique de Paris and frequently serves as a jury member of international piano competitions worldwide.
She has received the Record Award from the Association of Greek Critics. From 2010 to 2025, Michailidou was president of E.P.T.A. Hellas (European Piano Teachers Association). Since 2016, she has been teaching in the postgraduate program at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She is cofounder of the Koufonisia Classical Music Festival.
Alexandre Moutouzkine
COMPETITION JURY
Russian-American pianist Alexandre Moutouzkine is an internationally celebrated soloist, chamber musician, and educator, known for his dazzling performances with leading orchestras worldwide and his influential role as cohead of the piano department at Manhattan School of Music.
Russian-American pianist Alexandre Moutouzkine has toured as a soloist with more than 60 orchestras across Europe, North and South America, and Asia. Highlights of those performances include appearances with the Cleveland Orchestra, Berliner Philharmoniker, Israel Philharmonic and Israel Camerata, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Philharmonic Orchestras of Moscow and Kiev, and Radiotelevision Orchestra of Spain.
As a recitalist and chamber musician, Alexandre has performed at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium and Zankel Hall, Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, the Kimmel Center, Mann Auditorium in Tel Aviv, the Royal Hall in London, the Great Hall of the Berlin Philharmonic, Palau de la Musica in Barcelona, the National Centers of Toronto and Montreal, and Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall in Japan.
Alexandre’s recital at Wigmore Hall was described by International Piano magazine as “grandly organic, with many personal and pertinent insights, offering
a thoughtful balance between rhetoric and fantasy … technically dazzling.”
Alexandre’s recital of Frédéric Chopin’s Études at the Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory was recorded live and released on the Classical Music Archives label in Russia.
Alexandre has claimed top prizes at more than 20 international competitions, including Naumburg, Cleveland, Montreal, New Orleans, Shanghai, Iturbi in Valencia, Maria Canals in Barcelona, and Arthur Rubinstein in Tel Aviv. At age 19, he won the Special Award for Artistic Potential for his performance of Brahms’s Op. 117 Intermezzi. A Dallas Morning News critic described them as being played “more beautifully, more movingly than I’ve ever heard them. At once sad, tender, and noble, this was playing of heart-stopping intimacy and elegance.”
Other career highlights include a performance of Rachmaninoff’s complete works in a six-part recital series with the Carnegie Concert Series in Nyack and receiving the “Artist of the Season” award from Chamber Music International in Dallas.
His record of Cuban piano music released through Steinway & Sons was recognized by WRTI as one of the top 10 classical music recording picks for 2017. It also won the Cubadisco award for the best classical music recording in Cuba. Alexandre most recently released a Steinway & Sons recording, Ravel & Stravinsky, with violinist Chloé Kiffer. This album features his solo piano transcription of Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, which debuted at Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center and New York’s 92Y.
Alexandre has served as an adjudicator for the Concours International Genève Musicale, Bartók Competition in Budapest, Maria Canals in Barcelona, Santa Cecilia in Porto, Panama International Piano Competition, New Orleans International Piano Competition, and the Vladimir Krainev Competition in Moscow.
Alexandre is co-head of the piano department at Manhattan School of Music. His students have won top prizes in numerous competitions throughout North and South America, Europe, and Asia. He is a sought-after teacher and guest artist at music festivals around the
world including the Beijing International Piano Festival, Paris International Music Academy and MusicAlp Festival in France, Music Fest Perugia, Forum Musicae in Madrid, and the International Piano Festival Genève Musicale.
Philippe Raskin
COMPETITION JURY
Born in Brussels, Philippe Raskin devoted himself to music at a very early age. His performances have been illustrated as a “model of radiant authority (…), solar, generous, committed, and under control (MDM, La Libre Belgique ) and plays “with an impressive confidence” (JK, Mundo Clasico ).
Philippe received a diverse musical education, beginning with his studies at the Royal Conservatorium of Brussels in the class of Jean-Claude Vanden Eynden at age 16. After graduating with the highest honors, he completed his Master’s degree at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, as well as at Madrid’s Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofia with Dimitri Bashkirov and Claudio Martínez Mehner, receiving the Sobresaliente Prize and the Diplome de Spécialisation at the Strasbourg Conservatory. He further developed his artistry with renowned professors such as Leon Fleisher, Vincenzo Balzani, Leonel Morales, and Hatto Beyerle. He has won many international competitions, such as the Spanish Composers Competition and the J.S.
Bach Competition. He has performed many chamber music recitals and solo concerts worldwide, in important concert halls including the Grand Hall of Tchaikovsky Conservatory (Moscow), Musikverein (Vienna), and the Berlin Philharmonie. His regular collaborations include performances with the Belgian National Orchestra and the Salzburg Chamber Soloists, with chamber music partners such as Clemens Hagen, George Tudorache, and Artur Kaganovskiy.
Philippe has premiered several works and many composers have dedicated works to him, including Stringent & Tremulation by Jean-Marie Rens, a piano sonata by Serkan Gürkan, Sonata Der Hunt by Christoph Ehrenfellner, and Talxochimaco by Michel Béro. Philippe is the Artistic Director of the César Franck International Piano Competition (Belgium) and the International Music Festival Paris (France), and is the Executive Director of the “Piano Loop Festival” (Croatia).
He is regularly invited to be a jury member at important international piano competitions including the Piano Talents Competition, Lyon Piano Competition, MozArte Competition, and the Spanish Composers Competition, among others. In 2009, Philippe opened his piano school; he also gives many master classes in Belgium and abroad. Philippe is currently a professor at the “Friedrich Gulda” Conservatory (Vienna), the “Talent Music Master Courses” University of Music (Brescia), and the European Music Academy (Paris).
Hannah Creviston
SELECTION JURY
Hannah Creviston is a highly regarded pianist, educator, and advocate for contemporary and inclusive music education, serving as a clinical associate professor at Arizona State University and performing worldwide as part of the acclaimed Creviston Duo.
Described as “impressive and expressive” (Fanfare Magazine) and “superb … [with] great dexterity, rhythm, and touch” (American Record Guide), Hannah Creviston is clinical associate professor at Arizona State University where she is keyboard area coordinator, director of piano pedagogy and the ASU community music school, and coordinator for class piano. Frequent workshop topics include Music Learning Theory, teaching music to children with special needs, the importance of movement in teaching rhythm, and music by composers killed in the Holocaust. Her articles and compositions appear in Piano Pedagogy Forum, Clavier Companion, Music Play II, ECMMA’s Perspectives, and others. Prior to joining the ASU faculty in fall 2012, Creviston was on the faculty at the Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam.
An avid performer of contemporary music, Creviston has premiered many compositions, both solo and collaborative. As a
collaborative pianist, she performs in festivals and competitions around the world. As the Creviston Duo, she and her husband, saxophonist Christopher Creviston, have recorded Snell Sessions and Columbia Sessions, both on the Albany Records label; Sunday Afternoon and Breaking available through CD Baby; and Phoenix Rising on the Blue Griffin label. Their recordings have been described as “engrossing” (Fanfare Magazine), “highly imaginative and expressive” (composer Denis Bédard), “a good blend of the standard and the new” (American Record Guide), and “sensitive, transparent, powerful music making that causes one to hold their breath often” (Donald Sinta). A new CD, reminiscences, featuring music from the Holocaust, will be available through Blue Griffin in spring 2025.
Dr. Margarita Denenburg
SELECTION JURY
Dr. Margarita Denenburg is a distinguished pianist, educator, and researcher in piano pedagogy, currently serving as associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin, with a strong record of leadership, innovation, and national recognition in music education.
Dr. Margarita Denenburg is an associate professor of practice in piano pedagogy and a director of the piano project at the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas at Austin. Previously, she taught at Heidelberg University in Ohio as an associate professor of keyboard studies. A passionate musician and pedagogue, Dr. Denenburg was recognized for her teaching effectiveness through the “Innovative Teaching Award” and the “Excellence in Education Award” for the state of Ohio. Dr. Denenburg held several leadership positions on the board of the Ohio Federation Music Clubs, Ohio Music Teachers Association, and College Music Society. Recent positions for the Ohio MTA board included: President-Elect, Vice President for Student Activities, and chair for the Commissioned Composer Award.
Dr. Denenburg’s research interests are in wellness, the history of piano pedagogy, elementary piano teaching, and technology. Dr. Denenburg has published multiple articles in the American Music Teacher Journal, Clavier Companion magazine, and Piano Pedagogy Forum. She presented at the Music Teachers National Association National Conference, the College Music Society National Conference, the National Group Piano/Piano Pedagogy Forum, Ohio Music Teacher Association, the Texas Music Teacher Association as well as many College Music Society regional conferences.
Margarita Denenburg holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in piano performance from Arizona State University where she studied under the tutelage of Dr. Baruch Meir. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in piano performance from the University of Southern California where she studied with Professor Bernadene Blaha. For more information about Dr. Margarita Denenburg, please visit: margaritadenenburg.com.
Golda Vainberg-Tatz
SELECTION JURY
“A pianist with wonderful firm, clear touch” ( The New York Times ) …
Golda Vainberg-Tatz has been hailed as “a pianist with wonderful firm, clear touch” (The New York Times), a “superbly gifted pianist … playing with amazing agility and crystal-clear articulation” (All About the Arts), and a “fascinating interpreter” (Tagblat, Germany).
Golda has performed as soloist with many leading orchestras including the Shanghai Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra, Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, St. Kristoforas Chamber Orchestra in Lithuania, Kaunas State Symphony Orchestra, Moscow Chamber Orchestra at the Tchaikovsky Grand Hall in Moscow, Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra in Michigan, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and the Raanana Sinfonietta in Israel. As a recitalist and chamber musician, she has performed throughout Europe, Russia, Israel, Canada, China, and the U.S., including radio and television broadcasts in Lithuania, Israel, WQXR in New York City, the Dame Myra Hess series in Chicago, “Sundays Live” in Los Angeles, Radio France, Shanghai radio broadcasts, and numerous performances in major halls in New York.
Golda Vainberg-Tatz has collaborated numerous times with the Nous Quartet (Italy), the Vilnius String Quartet, and with violinist
Raimundas Katilius in recitals in Europe, Israel, Canada, Italy, and the U.S. She has been a guest artist at Sala Verdi, Milano at Fondazione La Società dei Concerti, Mozarteum Festival in Salzburg, Vilnius Festival in Lithuania, Saint Petersburg Palaces Festival in Russia, Shanghai Conservatory International Festival, and the Shanghai Himalayas International Piano Festival in China, where performed with Andre Michel Schub and the Shanghai Philharmonic in November 2014 at the Daguan Theatre.
Her prizes and awards include First Prize in the Lithuanian State Competition for Young Pianists, full scholarships with distinction from the America-Israel Cultural Foundation, prestigious Maurice Claremont awards in Israel, and top prizes at Young Keyboard Artists, the World Piano Competition in Cincinnati, the Frinna Awerbuch International Competition in New York, the Prixdu Disque from the French Piano Institute in Paris, and the Palm Beach Invitational International competition.
Among her recordings are Mozart’s Piano Concerti K. 453 and K. 466 with Constantine Orbelian conducting the Moscow Chamber Orchestra on the Delos label, with digital availability on all music platforms (chosen for IDAGIO’s Editors Pick Playlist, August 2022); Robert Schumann’s piano music (3D, France), which received the highest critical acclaim by Fanfare and American Record Guide magazines; and Miezeslaw Vainberg’s Piano Quintet with the Vilnius String Quartet (Delos).
Golda Vainberg-Tatz has been an associate faculty member at The Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music and is on the faculty of the Precollege Division at Manhattan School.
Golda began early music education in her native Lithuania and then went on to study at Israel’s Rubin Academy at Tel Aviv University, Manhattan School of Music, and The Juilliard School. Her teachers and mentors include Emanuel Krasovsky, Bella Davidovich, Nina Svetlanova, and Rosalyn Tureck.
Golda Vainberg-Tatz is a Steinway Artist. goldatatz.com.
Nimrod David Pfeffer
CONDUCTOR
Praised for the depth and fresh insights of his interpretations of great masterpieces as well as contemporary repertoire, Nimrod David Pfeffer has performed with orchestras such as the San Francisco Symphony, Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, Hungarian State Opera Orchestra, and Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra and has conducted opera productions at distinguished venues including the Metropolitan Opera, Komische Oper Berlin, Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía in Valencia, the Juilliard Opera, the Polish National Opera, and the Israeli Opera.
At the Metropolitan Opera, Pfeffer made his debut in 2022 conducting Le nozze di Figaro and returned in 2024/25 to lead the Julie Taymor production of The Magic Flute He has also been a frequent guest at the Israeli Opera, where he has led productions of Don Giovanni, Idomeneo, Simon Boccanegra, Die Zauberflöte, and Theodor, a new opera by Yonatan Cnaan and Ido Ricklin, in which he was involved throughout the creative process. The opera was met with critical and audience acclaim, was featured in subsequent seasons, and was adapted into a film production that is screened internationally and available on VOD.
Pfeffer has conducted at the Komische Oper Berlin, Polish National Opera, and the Juilliard Opera, where he made his debut with Così fan tutte in 2019 and returned in 2023/24 to conduct La Clemenza di Tito. He made his debut with the Polish National Opera conducting Die Zauberflöte in 2023/24 and will return in 2025/26 to conduct it again. He also conducted Aida at the 52nd May Opera Evenings in Macedonia.
Beyond his work as a conductor, Pfeffer is an acclaimed concert pianist, regularly performing as a soloist, recitalist, chamber musician, and vocal accompanist. He has appeared as soloist in renowned venues such as New York’s Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, and The Metropolitan Opera, as well as the Warsaw Philharmonic Hall, Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest, and other major stages in the USA, Europe, and Asia.
Pfeffer studied orchestral conducting at The Juilliard School under Alan Gilbert, receiving the Bruno Walter Scholarship, Charles Schiff Conducting Prize, and Norman Benzaquen Career Advancement Grant. He also trained at Mannes College of Music and was a fellow of the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program. He has received grants from the Bagby Foundation for the Musical Arts and the America-Israel Cultural Foundation.
He studied with esteemed musicians such as Pnina Salzman, Vadim Monastyrski, Gideon Hatzor, Michael Wolpe, André Hajdu, Victor Rosenbaum, Carl Schachter, Claude Frank, Byron Janis, Alan Gilbert, James Levine, and Richard Goode.
Gabriel Merrill-Steskal
COMPETITION BLOGGER
Gabriel Merrill-Steskal is a multifaceted pianist and musician dedicated to performance, teaching, and scholarship. He has won awards in international competitions on both piano and fortepiano (including the Seattle International Piano Competition, Los Angeles International Liszt Competition, and SFZP International Fortepiano Competition) and recently was a fellow at the Gilmore piano festival and Pianofest in the Hamptons. He has also recorded for Blue Griffin Records as part of an upcoming album of new piano music by William Horne. Gabriel holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the University of Michigan, where he studied piano with Logan Skelton and fortepiano with Matthew Bengtson. Before turning to music full-time, he completed his undergraduate degree with a double major in music and chemistry, graduating summa cum laude from Whitman College and studying piano with David Hyun-Su Kim. He has also studied fortepiano with Malcolm Bilson.
In addition to his performance activities as a soloist and chamber musician, Gabriel is an active teacher and scholar. He is Assistant Professor of Piano and Industry at New Mexico Highlands University, where he teaches piano, music history, music theory, and other courses. He is also an experienced fortepianist interested in 18th- and 19thcentury performance practice, and was recently the Visiting Artistic Researcher at the Cornell Center for Historical Keyboards, presenting original lecturerecitals on historical pianos throughout spring 2025. Aside from all things piano, he enjoys spending time outside running and rock climbing.
Dalí Quartet
GUEST ARTIST FOR THE SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC
The Dalí Quartet is acclaimed for bringing Latin American quartet repertoire to an equal standing alongside the Classical and Romantic canon.
Tours of its Classical Roots, Latin Soul programming have reached enthusiastic audiences across the U.S., Canada, and South America. Its fresh approach has been sought out by distinguished series in New York, Buffalo, Toronto, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, San Diego, Boston, Cleveland, Seattle, San Juan, and countless communities beyond. The quartet has been called upon for return engagements at the Bravo! Vail Music Festival, National Gallery of Art, Friends of Chamber Music in Portland, Chamber Music Tulsa, the Slee Beethoven Cycle Series, and the SA’OAXACA International Music Festival in México, among others. Other recent appearances include the Virginia Arts Festival, Princeton University Summer Chamber Concerts, Maverick Concerts, the East Coast premiere of Anna Clyne’s Quarter Days, Concerto for String Quartet and Chamber Orchestra, co-commissioned by the Harrisburg Symphony, and the world premiere of Roydon Tse’s work for string quartet and full orchestra with the Annapolis Symphony.
In addition to works of the masters from Haydn to Brahms and Amaya to Piazzolla, the group’s adventurous and entertaining programming includes new works for quartet with percussionist Orlando Cotto, and quintets, both Latin and Classical, with the renowned clarinetist Ricardo Morales, principal clarinetist of The Philadelphia Orchestra, and with acclaimed pianist Vanessa Perez. The Dalí Quartet has an ongoing collaboration with the Van Cliburn Competition’s gold-medal-winning pianist Olga Kern, with whom they have toured from coast to coast and recorded the piano quintets of Brahms and Shostakovich released on the Delos label.
The Dalí Quartet is Chamber Music America’s 2024 Ensemble of the Year, recipient of the 2023 ACMP Foundation’s Susan McIntosh Lloyd Award for Excellence and Diversity in Chamber Music, 2021 recipient of Chamber Music America’s Guarneri String Quartet Residency—funded by the Sewell Family Foundation—and the 2021 Silver Medal at the inaugural Piazzolla Music Competition. The quartet is also the 2019 recipient of the Atlanta Symphony’s esteemed Aspire Award for accomplished African American and Latino Musicians. The quartet’s latest CD is Voces Latinas, now available on Centaur Records.
The Dalí is devoted to audience development and to reaching communities of all kinds. The group’s Latin Fiesta Workshops and Family Concerts in both traditional and innovative settings move listeners— literally! The Dalí Quartet is sought after for master classes and professional development workshops for students (recently at the National Repertory Orchestra, Miami University, Michigan State University, the University of Wisconsin, and the University of Iowa) and has opened musical vistas for younger kids with its week-long Any Given Child programs (over three seasons for the Tulsa Public School System). In addition, the quartet’s International Music Festival is an admired chamber music and orchestral program founded in 2004 that develops the performance skills of young musicians up through semiprofessional level. The Dalí has also served as a guest resident ensemble at Lehigh University and the Hartt School of Music’s Composition Feldman/ Geoffroy Ensemble-in-Residence at the University of Hartford.
Trained by world-renowned artists, members of the Dalí Quartet are from Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and the U.S., and have degrees from esteemed institutions including the New England Conservatory, Cleveland Institute of Music, The Juilliard School, Indiana University Bloomington, and the Simón Bolivar Conservatory in Caracas, Venezuela. The quartet is based in Philadelphia, PA.
Inspired by its namesake, the great Spanish artist Salvador Dalí, the quartet
holds imagination and excellence at the heart of its music-making.
The quartet serves as faculty at West Chester University Wells School of Music as the Quartet in Residence, and is an Iris Collective Resident Ensemble.
The Dalí Quartet proudly uses Pirastro Strings and WMutes.
Worldwide representation by Jonathan Wentworth Associates.
Ari Isaacman-Beck — Violin I
Praised for his “enormous soul and a big, vibrant sound,” (The Reading Eagle), violinist Ari Isaacman-Beck is a captivating and multifaceted artist whose solo and chamber music performances have taken him all over the world, including venues such as Jordan Hall, the Kennedy Center, Zürich’s Tönhalle, and Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw. An award-winning violinist, he was the 2016 winner of the Lili Boulanger International Competition, won second prize in 2006 at the SionValais International Violin Competition, and received the prize for the best performance of the commissioned work, Thomas McKinley’s Dialogues, at the 2017 Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition.
As of fall 2020, Isaacman-Beck is proud to be the first violinist of the Dalí Quartet, in residence at West Chester University. With the quartet, he is ecstatic to study and promote the traditional string quartet canon alongside lesser-known works by Hispanic composers. From 20092016, he performed in North America,
Europe, and China as the violinist of Trio Cleonice, an award-winning piano trio described by the Boston Globe as “abundantly sincere and absorbing.” With the trio, he was a top-prize winner at the 2014 Alice and Eleonore Schoenfeld and Chamber Music Yellow Springs competitions and received the John Lad Prize from Stanford University at the discretion of the St. Lawrence String Quartet.
A committed educator, he was on the faculty of the Sunderman Conservatory of Gettysburg College from 2017-2020, alternately as the Visiting Assistant Professor of Violin and Interim Director of Orchestras; he also completed a teaching and performing residency at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in September 2019. He has previously served on the faculties of the Kinhaven Music School, Yellow Barn Young Artists Program, New England Conservatory’s Preparatory Division, Rivers Conservatory, and Junior Greenwood Music Camp. Additionally, he has presented master classes at the Eastman School of Music, Oberlin Conservatory, Bucknell University, the University of Hawaii, and Husson College. He received degrees from the Cleveland Institute, The Juilliard School, Mannes, and the New England Conservatory; his teachers have included Donald Weilerstein, Ronald Copes, Mark Steinberg, Laurie Smukler, David Updegraff, and Mary West. ariisaacmanbeck.com.
Carlos Rubio — Violin II
Violinist Carlos Rubio began his musical career as a member of Venezuela’s famous Youth Orchestra System (“El Sistema”). As a member of the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, he toured France, Japan, the U.S., Mexico, and Spain, and participated in seven CD recordings under the Dorian Records label.
Mr. Rubio has taught master classes and performed at Miami University, Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, University of Tennessee, Drake University, University of Iowa, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Festival de Música Latinoamericana in Colombia, Festival y Academia del Nuevo Mundo, the Simón Bolivar Conservatory of Music in Venezuela, and Colorado State University, and is a founding member of the Dalí Quartet International Music Festival.
Mr. Rubio was awarded the grand prize in the Spanish and Latin American Music Competition at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and was distinguished as the Ohio Latino Arts Association’s Performing Artist of the Year. Mr. Rubio has soloed with the Middletown Symphony, the Illinois Philharmonic, and the Oxford Chamber Orchestra. His chamber music partners have included the Colorado, Oxford, Penderecki, DaPonte, and Amernet String Quartets, clarinetist Ricardo Morales, pianists Alessio Bax, Olga Kern, Vanessa Perez, Pamela Mia Paul, and cellist Marc Johnson of the
Vermeer Quartet. Additionally, he has collaborated with composers such as Joan Tower, Joel Puckett, Edward Thomas, Susan Botti, Ricardo Lorenz, Efrain Amaya, and Manena Contreras. He has also premièred works by composers Roland Vasquez, Paul Salerni, Terry Vosbein, Diana Arismendi, and Arcangel Castillo-Olivari.
Carlos is a founding member of the Dalí Quartet and is on faculty at West Chester University as part of the quartet’s residency. He is also a member of the Iris Collective and the Philly Pops, and performs regularly with the Harrisburg and Lancaster Symphonies.
Carlos lives near Philadelphia with his wife, Julia, and sons, Javier and Miguel.
Emily Brandenburg — Viola
GUEST ARTIST
Violist Emily Brandenburg is a freelance musician based in New York City, known for her deeply expressive artistry and distinctive low-voice sound. Her career spans chamber music, orchestral playing, and solo performance.
She has appeared with ensembles such as the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, New York Classical Players, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Washington Heights Chamber Orchestra, Metropolis Ensemble, Long Island Chamber Music, and numerous other ensembles throughout the New England area. A passionate chamber musician, she brings both intensity and introspection to her performances. She was formerly the violist of the Cassatt String Quartet (NYC) and the Eykamp String Quartet (Evansville, IN). Her festival appearances include Yellow Barn, Norfolk, Bowdoin, Rome Chamber Music, and Amelia Island.
An advocate for contemporary music and for working with living composers, Brandenburg has recently collaborated with Joan Tower, Victoria Bond, Mari Kimura, Will Rowe, Wang Jie, and Vineet Shende.
She holds degrees from Yale University, the New England Conservatory, and the McDuffie Center for Strings. A certified Suzuki teacher, she maintains a private violin and viola studio in New York and teaches at Riverdale Country School.
Jesús A. Morales Matos — Cello
Jesús A. Morales Matos was born into a prominent musical family and is an active soloist, recording artist, and chamber musician. As a member of the Dalí Quartet, Jesús is on faculty at West Chester University as part of the quartet’s residency. His students have been accepted into esteemed music schools such as the Curtis Institute of Music, Yale University, and Temple University.
As a concert artist, Fanfare Magazine wrote, “Not since DuPre’s or Starker’s performances of the Saint-Saëns Concerto have I heard such miraculous playing: clean as a whistle, impassioned, technically adept, and exhibiting extraordinary control.” The Salt Lake Tribune added, “His sound has an assertive, gorgeous quality, from the cello’s brusque low notes to its sweet upper range.” The New York Concert Review hailed him as a soloist “in a category above many cellists of today … inspired and captivating.” Caribbean Business declared, “… he is already talked about as a soloist of potential international stature.”
Mr. Morales’s solo appearances include the Philharmonia Bulgarica, the San Bernardino Symphony, New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, the Orquesta Sinfonica de Puerto Rico, the Camerata Symphony, the National Repertory Orchestra, the Starling Chamber Orchestra, and the Festival de Orquestas Sinfonica Juvenil de las Americas.
As a recording artist, Mr. Morales’s recordings of the Saint-Saëns and Lalo cello concertos on the Centaur label, were received with rave reviews.
Mr. Morales has participated in summer festivals including the Casals Festival in Puerto Rico, Banff Centre for the Arts, Grand Teton Music Festival, Kneisel Hall Chamber Music Festival, Bowdoin Music Festival, Eastern Music Festival, and Música Rondeña in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Mr. Morales has also performed in recitals and chamber music concerts in Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, and St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
Mr. Morales holds a Bachelor’s degree from The Cleveland Institute of Music and has done postgraduate work at The Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. His teachers include Dr. Ronald Crutcher, Alan Harris, Helga Winold, and Yehuda Hanani. He studied chamber music with Peter Oundjian among others.
Mr. Morales resides in Philadelphia with his wife, violinist Dara Morales, and daughters, Isabel and Karina.
October 11, 2025
Roberto Minczuk Music Director
Penderecki To the Victims of Hiroshima
Strauss Four Last Songs
Mahler Symphony No.4
February 28, 2026
Alejandro Gómez Guillén Music Director
Christopher Creviston saxophone
Weber Overture to Der Freischütz
Lennon Escapades
Tucker Portrait of a Peaceful Scene
Montgomery Strum
Mussorgsky (arr. Ravel) Pictures at an Exhibition
BR AHMS & STR AVINSKY
November 1, 2025
Francesco Lecce-Chong Music Director
Steven Moeckel violin
Shuyin Li The Phoenix Ascends
Stravinsky Petrushka
Brahms Violin Conerto
March 21, 2026
Roberto Minczuk Music Director
Giuseppe Gibboni violin
Enescu Romanian Rhapsody No.1
Paganini Violin Concerto No.2
Debussy La Mer
Ravel La Valse
March 28, 2026
NMBC
May 16, 2026
Roberto Minczuk Music Director
Karen Gomyo violin
Schumann Violin Concerto
Mahler Symphony No.5
SYMPHONIC DANCE S
January 24, 2026
Roberto Minczuk Music Director
Roman Rabinovich piano
Benavides
Prokofiev Acequia (2024)
Piano Concerto No.3
Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances
April 18, 2026
Roberto Minczuk Music Director
Catalina Cuervo soprano
Olga Flores soprano
Amy Owens soprano
Strauss Don Juan
Golijov Suite from Ainadamar, based on the life of Federico García Lorca
Bizet Selections from Carmen: Overtur, “Habanera,” “Card Trio”
Delibes “Flower Duet” from Lakmé
Chabrier España
Torroba “La Petenera” from La Marchenera
Strauss Der Rosenkavalier—Final Trio
MAHLER ’S FOUR TH
PIC TURE S AT AN E XHIBITION
L A MER
SCHUMANN & MAHLER ’S FIF TH
THE THREE SOPR ANOS
Huiping Cai
CHINA
Huiping Cai is a pianist praised for her “dignified and mature approach” ( Third Coast Review ), as well as for her lyricism, nuanced musicality, and formidable technique.
She was awarded First Prize and the Audience Award at the 2023 New York Franz Liszt International Piano Competition. Additional first prizes include the 2022 Los Angeles International Liszt Competition; the 2019 Chopin International Piano Competition in Hartford, Connecticut; the 2018 Miami Music Festival Piano Concerto Competition; and the 2017 Philadelphia International Piano Competition.
In 2023, Cai made her Carnegie Hall debut, performing at both Weill Recital Hall and Stern Auditorium/ Perelman Stage with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. She has appeared as concerto soloist with the Evergreen Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong VTC Symphony Orchestra, Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra, Kazakhstan National Symphony Orchestra, Miami Music Festival Orchestra, Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, and the Temple University Symphony Orchestra. Her performances have taken her to the United States, Mexico, Russia, Kazakhstan, and China. She has also been featured as a soloist on WRTI (Philadelphia), WSMR (Florida), and WFMT’s Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts in Chicago.
Cai is a graduate of the New England Conservatory, where she studied with Dang Thai Son and served as a teaching assistant. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in piano performance and literature at the Eastman School of Music, studying with Alan Chow and serving as his teaching assistant. Concurrently, she is completing a second Master of Music degree in piano accompanying and chamber music under the guidance of Dr. Andrew Harley.
FIRST ROUND
Sergei Rachmaninoff: “Lilacs” from 12 Romances, Op. 21, No. 5
Joseph Haydn: Sonata in C Major, Hob.
XVI:48
I. Andante con espressione
II. Rondo: Presto
Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude and Fugue in g minor, No. 16, from The WellTempered Clavier, Book I, BWV 861
Frédéric Chopin: Étude in a minor, Op. 25, No. 11, “Winter Wind”
Franz Liszt: Grande Étude de Paganini
No. 6 in a minor, S. 141
QUARTERFINAL ROUND
Igor Stravinsky (transcribed Agosti): The Firebird
I. Danse Infernale du roi Kastcheï
II. Berceuse
III. Finale
Olga Kern: Status Animae (State of Soul)—Two Pieces for Solo Piano
I. Meditation
II. Rhythm Obsession
Liszt: Sonata in b minor, S. 178
SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC
Robert Schumann: Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44
I. Allegro brillante
II. In modo d’una marcia. Un poco largamente
III. Scherzo: Molto vivace
IV. Allegro ma non troppo
FINAL ROUND
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3 in d minor, Op. 30
I. Allegro ma non tanto
II. Intermezzo: Adagio
III. Finale: Alla breve
Michelle Candotti
ITALY
Michelle Candotti earned her piano diploma with top honors at age 14 from the “E.F. Dall’Abaco” Conservatory in Verona. She later completed an Artist Diploma in Performance with distinction at the Royal College of Music in London, studying with Dmitri Alexeev, and a Master’s Diploma from the Imola Academy under Franco Scala and Boris Petrushansky.
She is currently studying with Claudio Palese and pursuing the Konzertexamen at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg with Hubert Rutkowski.
Recently, she was a semifinalist at the 18th Chopin International Competition in Warsaw, a prizewinner at the 5th Maj Lind Piano Competition in Helsinki, Second Prize winner at the Verona International Piano Competition, Second Prize winner at the 2022 German Piano Award, and Third Prize and Audience Prize winner at the XVII International Competition Gran Prix Animato in Paris.
Ms. Candotti has performed with numerous orchestras, including the Philharmonic Orchestra of Bacău, the Orchestra della Toscana, the Simphonic Orchestra Città di Grosseto, the Royal Philharmonic Concerto Orchestra, and the Orchestra of the Goldoni Foundation, among others.
She gave a concert for the President of the Italian Republic at the Quirinale Palace (Paolina Chapel) that was streamed live by RAI, the national broadcaster. She has also performed in major concert venues including the Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza, Sala Piatti in Bergamo, Royal Albert Hall in London, Atheneum Romano in Bucharest, and the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg.
Ms. Candotti is supported by the Stiftung Flügel-Fundus.
FIRST ROUND
Joseph Haydn: Sonata in E-flat Major, Hob. XVI:49, L. 59
I. Allegro
II. Adagio e cantabile
III. Finale: Tempo di Minuet
Frédéric Chopin: Étude in b minor, Op. 25, No. 10
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Étude-Tableau in c-sharp minor, Op. 33, No. 9
Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude and Fugue in b minor, No. 24, from The WellTempered Clavier, Book II, BWV 893
Rachmaninoff: Prelude in g-sharp minor, Op. 32, No. 12
Franz Liszt: Paraphrase on Verdi’s Ernani, S. 432
QUARTERFINAL ROUND
Olga Kern: Status Animae (State of Soul)—Two Pieces for Solo Piano
I. Meditation
II. Rhythm Obsession
Chopin: Barcarolle in F-sharp Major, Op. 60
Béla Bartók: Piano Sonata, BB. 88, Sz. 80
I. Allegro moderato
II. Sostenuto e pesante
III. Allegro molto
George Enescu: Pavane from Suite No. 2, Op. 10
Liszt: Après une lecture du Dante: Fantasia quasi Sonata, S. 161, No. 7
SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC
Antonín Dvořák: Piano Quintet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 81, B. 155
I. Allegro ma non tanto
II. Dumka: Andante con moto
III. Scherzo (Furiant): Molto vivace
IV. Finale: Allegro
FINAL ROUND
Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1 in e minor, Op. 11
I. Allegro maestoso
II. Romanze: Larghetto
III. Rondo: Vivace
Young Sun Choi
KOREA
Young Sun Choi is the First Prize winner of the Rina Sala Gallo Monza International Piano Competition and has earned top honors in major international competitions, including the Gurwitz International Piano Competition, the USASU Bösendorfer, the American Paderewski, and the Lyon International Piano Competition.
She has performed concertos with orchestras around the world, including the Mexico City Philharmonic, KBS Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonica di Milano, Prime Philharmonic, Orchestra “O. Stillo,” and the Kazan Chamber Orchestra “La Primavera.” She has worked with notable conductors such as Kolja Blacher, Thomas Wilkins, Scott Yoo, and YunSung Chang.
Ms. Choi has been invited to perform at festivals including the Cremona Musica Festival, the Paderewski Festival in North Carolina, and the DMZ OPEN Festival. She has also given recitals in Italy, invited by Fazioli Pianoforti and La Società dei Concerti.
An avid chamber musician, Ms. Choi is a founding member of Trio Unio. The trio won Second Prize at the Franz Schubert and Modern Music International Competition in Graz and received the Lift Every Voice Prize at the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition. They were invited to perform at Samsung Electronics’s concert hall and completed a full performance series of Beethoven’s complete piano trios.
Her solo performances have been broadcast on Texas Public Radio and ARTE TV, and she was honored to be the dedicatee of Three Preludes for Piano by Grammy® Award-winning composer Michael Fine.
Ms. Choi studied under Jung Won Moon and earned her Bachelor’s degree in piano and musicology at Seoul National University under Aviram Reichert. She completed both her Master’s and Doctoral degrees at Indiana University under the mentorship of Arnaldo Cohen.
FIRST ROUND
Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude and Fugue in A-flat Major, No. 17, from The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I, BWV 862
Frédéric Chopin: Étude in F Major, Op. 10, No. 8
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Étude-Tableau in c minor, Op. 39, No. 1, “The Sea”
Rachmaninoff: Prelude in E-flat Major, Op. 23, No. 6
Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonata No. 4 in E-flat Major, Op. 7, “Grand Sonata”
I. Allegro molto e con brio
II. Largo, con gran espressione
III. Allegro
IV. Rondo: Poco allegretto e grazioso
QUARTERFINAL ROUND
Olga Kern: Status Animae (State of Soul)—Two Pieces for Solo Piano
I. Meditation
II. Rhythm Obsession
Enrique Granados: “Quejas o la Maja y el Ruiseñor” (from Goyescas, Op. 11)
Carl Vine: Piano Sonata No. 1
I. [Untitled]
II. Leggiero e legato
Robert Schumann: Sonata No. 1 in f-sharp minor, Op. 11
I. Introduzione: Un poco adagio— Allegro vivace
II. Aria
III. Scherzo e Intermezzo: Allegrissimo— Lento
IV. Finale: Allegro un poco maestoso
SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC
Antonín Dvořák: Piano Quintet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 81, B. 155
I. Allegro ma non tanto
II. Dumka: Andante con moto
III. Scherzo (Furiant): Molto vivace
IV. Finale: Allegro
FINAL ROUND
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58
I. Allegro moderato
II. Andante con moto
III. Rondo: Vivace
Carlos de la Blanca Elorza
SPAIN
Born in Granada in 1995, Carlos de la Blanca Elorza began piano studies at the age of 7 with Andrey Reznik.
He later studied at the Conservatorio de Música Ángel Barrios with Javier Herreros, completing intermediate studies with top marks. In 2013, he entered the Royal Conservatory of Madrid (RCSMM), studying under Pilar Bilbao, where he graduated with honors in piano and received the Final Degree Award. He has also participated in master classes with renowned pianists including Dmitri Bashkirov, Joaquín Achúcarro, and Nikolai Lugansky.
Mr. de la Blanca Elorza has been awarded in various national and international competitions, including Marisa Montiel, María Canals, Ciudad de San Sebastián, and Ciudad de Vigo. He recently won Third Prize and the Best Spanish Music Interpreter Award at the 2024 Ferrol International Piano Competition and the Best Spanish Contestant Award at the 2025 María Canals International Piano Competition in Barcelona.
He was one of twenty selected pianists for the Paloma O’Shea Santander International Piano Competition in 2022. He also participated in the Glocal Piano Project of the Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition in Bolzano (2022 and 2024) and performed in Paris as part of the Leeds International Piano Competition in 2024. Since 2022,
he has received ongoing mentorship from the renowned pianist and pedagogue Márta Gulyás.
An active chamber musician, Mr. de la Blanca Elorza has performed as part of Dúo Doré (piano four-hands) with María Escudero since 2015. Since 2024, he has served as pianist for the Coro de Niños y Jóvenes de la Comunidad de Madrid.
In addition to his performing career, Mr. de la Blanca Elorza is a dedicated educator. He has held the position of civil servant music educator in the Community of Madrid since passing the public examination in 2018. His artistic interests also extend to philosophy, which he studies at UNED. His solo recitals often blend classical repertoire with improvisational elements.
He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg under the guidance of Prof. Ralf Nattkemper.
VI. Wichtige Begebenheit
VII. Träumerei
VIII. Am Kamin
IX. Ritter vom Steckenpferd
X. Fast zu ernst
XI. Fürchtenmachen
XII. Kind im Einschlummern
XIII. Der Dichter spricht
Manuel de Falla: Fantasía Bética
Olga Kern: Status Animae (State of Soul)—Two Pieces for Solo Piano
I. Meditation
II. Rhythm Obsession
Franz Liszt: Transcriptions
Valse de l’opéra Faust (from Gounod) “Gretchen am Spinnrade” (from Schubert)
Isoldens Liebestod (from Wagner)
Richard Strauss (arr. Reger): Morgen!, Op. 27, No. 4
SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC
FIRST ROUND
Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude and Fugue in b-flat minor, No. 22, from The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I, BWV 867
Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonata No. 30 in E
Major, Op. 109
I. Vivace ma non troppo—Adagio espressivo
II. Prestissimo
III. Gesangvoll—mit innigster Empfindung—Andante molto cantabile ed espressivo
Frédéric Chopin: Étude in c minor, Op. 10, No. 12, “Revolutionary”
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Étude-Tableau in e-flat minor, Op. 39, No. 5
Rachmaninoff: Prelude in b minor, Op. 32, No. 10
QUARTERFINAL ROUND
Robert Schumann: Kinderszenen, Op. 15
I. Von fremden Ländern und Menschen
II. Kuriose Geschichte
III. Hasche-Mann
IV. Bittendes Kind
V. Glückes genug
Schumann: Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44
I. Allegro brillante
II. In modo d’una marcia: Un poco largamente
III. Scherzo: Molto vivace
IV. Allegro ma non troppo
FINAL ROUND
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat
Major, Op. 73 “Emperor”
I. Allegro
II. Adagio un poco mosso
III. Rondo: Allegro ma non troppo
Leo de Maria
SPAIN
Leo de María has won more than 50 international awards. Highlights include First Prizes at the UNISA International Piano Competition in Pretoria, South Africa (WFIMC); the Cidade de Ferrol International Piano Competition in Spain; the MozARTè Competition in Germany; the Grand Prix of Lyon in France; and the National Prize Cultura Viva for Artistic Revelation (2018) in Spain.
He has also been awarded Second Prize at numerous competitions, including the Johann Nepomuk Hummel Competition in Bratislava (WFIMC), the Santa Cecilia Competition in Porto, Portugal (WFIMC), the Épinal Competition in France (WFIMC), the Russian Music Competition in Italy, Neue Sterne in Germany, Valsesia Musica in Milan, and the Rio de Janeiro FestivalCompetition in Brazil.
Mr. de María received Third Prize at the Scriabin International Competition in Grosseto, Italy, twice in succession (2014 and 2016), as well as the Special Public Prize in the 2016 final round. He was also a Third Prize winner at the Ettore Pozzoli International Piano Competition in Seregno (WFIMC) and the FrechillaZuloaga Competition in Valladolid, Spain. At the Jaén International Piano Competition, he received the Rosa Sabater Prize for the best interpretation of Spanish music.
His expressive artistry and charismatic
stage presence have been featured with orchestras around the world, including the Slovak National Philharmonic Orchestra (Bratislava), the Porto Symphony Orchestra (Portugal), the San Remo and Grosseto Symphony Orchestras (Italy), the Bursa State Symphony Orchestra (Turkey), the Toruń Symphony (Poland), the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra (South Africa), the Eduardo Mata University Youth Orchestra (Mexico City), and the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra (Rio de Janeiro). In Spain, he has performed with the Málaga Philharmonic Orchestra (OFM), the Galicia Symphony Orchestra (OSG), the Castilla y León Symphony Orchestra (OSCyL), and the Spanish National Orchestra (OCNE), among others.
Mr. de María has collaborated with distinguished conductors including Rastislav Štúr, Andrés Salado, Roberto Tibiriçá, Teresa Riveiro Böhm, Gustavo Rivero Weber, Emin Güven Yaslıçam, Andrea Oddone, Gabriel Delgado, Marlene Urbay, Dainius Pavilionis, Beatriz Fernández Aucejo, Jiří Rožeň, Gudni A. Emilsson, Joanna Natalia Ślusarczyk, Christian Fitzner, Osvaldo Ferreira, José Trigueros, and Andrea Barizza.
FIRST ROUND
Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude and Fugue in G Major, No. 15, from The WellTempered Clavier, Book II, BWV 884
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Prelude in G Major, Op. 32, No. 5
Rachmaninoff: Étude-Tableau in D Major, Op. 39, No. 9
Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonata in D Major, Op. 2, No. 3
I. Allegro con brio
II. Adagio
III. Scherzo: Allegro
IV. Allegro assai
QUARTERFINAL ROUND
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Sonata No. 4 in E-flat Major, K. 282
I. Adagio
II. Menuetto I
III. Menuetto II
IV. Allegro
Enrique Granados: “El amor y la muerte” (from Goyescas, Op. 11)
Franz Liszt: Sonata in b minor, S. 178
Olga Kern: Status Animae (State of Soul)—Two Pieces for Solo Piano
I. Meditation
II. Rhythm Obsession
Maurice Ravel: La Valse, M. 72
SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC
Johannes Brahms: Piano Quintet in f minor, Op. 34
I. Allegro non troppo
II. Andante, un poco adagio
III. Scherzo: Allegro
IV. Finale: Poco sostenuto—Allegro non troppo—Presto, non troppo
FINAL ROUND
Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1 in e minor, Op. 11
I. Allegro maestoso
II. Romanze: Larghetto
III. Rondo: Vivace
Matthew Figel
UNITED STATES
Praised for “a tone and approach entrancing from the outset” ( New York Concert Review, Inc. ), pianist Matthew Figel is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the Eastman School of Music, where he studies with Marina Lomazov and Joseph Rackers.
He also earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Eastman under Nelita True.
Matthew is a top prizewinner of several competitions, including the Rosalyn Tureck International Bach Competition, the Harold Protsman Classical Period Competition, and the Eastman Concerto Competition, where he became one of the youngest pianists ever to solo with the Eastman Philharmonia. In 2022, he was awarded Sixth Prize at the International J.S. Bach Competition in Leipzig, where he performed with the Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra.
Recent highlights include a workshop with Mitsuko Uchida as part of Carnegie Hall’s Perspectives series and a fellowship at the 2022 Gilmore Piano Festival. He has played in master classes for Richard Goode, Simone Dinnerstein, Anne-Marie McDermott, Jon Nakamatsu, and Paul Lewis.
Matthew has appeared at venues such as Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, and has performed concertos with the Orchard Park and Round Rock symphonies. A devoted chamber musician, he was the inaugural recipient of the Verdehr Trio Award at Eastman and received the John Celentano Award for Excellence in Chamber Music.
Formerly Artist-in-Residence at Valley Manor Living Center in Rochester, New York, he gave monthly recitals for the senior community. Passionate about early keyboards, he has studied with Lisa Goode Crawford, Mike Cheng-Yu Lee, and Malcolm Bilson. Last summer, he gave a fortepiano recital at the Concertgebouw Brugge and will make his debut with the American Classical Orchestra at Alice Tully Hall in the 2025/2026 season.
FIRST ROUND
Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude and Fugue in A Major, No. 19, from The WellTempered Clavier, Book I, BWV 860
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Waltz in A Major, Op. 10, No. 2 (from Morceaux de salon) Frédéric Chopin: Étude in b minor, Op. 25, No. 10
Franz Liszt: Transcendental Étude No. 9 in A-flat Major, “Ricordanza,” S. 139
Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonata No. 31 in A-flat Major, Op. 110
I. Moderato cantabile molto espressivo
II. Allegro molto
III. Adagio ma non troppo—Fuga: Allegro ma non troppo
QUARTERFINAL ROUND
Chopin: Nocturne in D-flat Major, Op. 27, No. 2
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Sonata No. 2 in F Major, K. 280
I. Allegro assai
II. Adagio
III. Presto
Olga Kern: Status Animae (State of Soul)—Two Pieces for Solo Piano
I. Meditation
II. Rhythm Obsession
J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988
SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC
Johannes Brahms: Piano Quintet in f minor, Op. 34
I. Allegro non troppo
II. Andante, un poco adagio
III. Scherzo: Allegro
IV. Finale: Poco sostenuto—Allegro non troppo—Presto, non troppo
FINAL ROUND
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58
I. Allegro moderato
II. Andante con moto
III. Rondo: Vivace
Aaron Kurz
UNITED STATES
American pianist Aaron Kurz enjoys a burgeoning career, engaging audiences with his charismatic and moving performances. He has captivated listeners across three continents in renowned venues including Carnegie Hall in New York, Salle Cortot in Paris, and the Palace of Peace and Harmony in NurSultan, Kazakhstan.
His performances have been praised by the press as “nuanced musical journeys” by Belgium’s Le Soir and “a lesson in pianism” by England’s Cambridge Independent. Most recently, Aaron completed a tour of Asia, performing and teaching at numerous venues across Indonesia and China. He is scheduled to return to the region for another tour in fall 2026.
Aaron has earned top prizes in several prestigious competitions, including the New York, Los Angeles, Virginia Waring, and World Piano Teachers Association International Piano Competitions, among others. He has performed extensively throughout North America, Europe, and Asia, appearing as soloist with orchestras such as the Fort Worth Symphony, City of Cambridge Symphony Orchestra (England), Shanxi Shuozilun Symphony Orchestra (China), and the Central Texas Philharmonic.
He holds degrees from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Jon Nakamatsu and Jeremy Denk, and Yale University, where he studied under Boris Berman. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree at the University of Texas, studying with Anton Nel. His previous teachers include Ian Jones, Norma Fisher, Alexander Kobrin, Logan Skelton, Carol Leone, and Ethel Fang.
In his spare time, Aaron enjoys watching sports, reading, and spending time with his friends and fiancée, Vivian.
FIRST ROUND
Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in D Major, K. 119
Scarlatti: Sonata in d minor, K. 213
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Sonata No. 12 in F Major, K. 332
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Allegro assai
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Prelude in B-flat
Major, Op. 23, No. 2
Claude Debussy: Étude No. 11, “Pour les arpèges composes,” L. 136
György Ligeti: Étude No. 13, “L’escalier du diable” (“The Devil’s Staircase”)
QUARTERFINAL ROUND
Joseph Haydn: Sonata in D Major, Hob. XVI:24
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Finale: Presto
Rachmaninoff: Variations on a Theme of Corelli, Op. 42
Olga Kern: Status Animae (State of Soul)—Two Pieces for Solo Piano
I. Meditation
II. Rhythm Obsession
Samuel Barber: Sonata in e-flat minor, Op. 26
I. Allegro energico
II. Allegro vivace e leggero
III. Adagio mesto
IV. Fuga: Allegro con spirito
SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC
Antonín Dvořák: Piano Quintet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 81, B. 155
I. Allegro ma non tanto
II. Dumka: Andante con moto
III. Scherzo (Furiant): Molto vivace
IV. Finale: Allegro
FINAL ROUND
Sergei Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26
I. Andante—Allegro
II. Tema con variazioni
III. Allegro, ma non troppo
Gabriel Landstedt
UNITED STATES
Hailed as an accomplished and versatile pianist, Gabriel Landstedt has received international acclaim as a prizewinner in numerous competitions, including the National Federation of Music Clubs Young Artist Competition, Architecture of Music, Ocean Music, Royal Sound, WPTA Finland, and the UBC Concerto Competition.
He has appeared at festivals such as Klavierfestival Lindlar, Chautauqua Piano Program, Art of the Piano, Eastern Music Festival, Salzburg International Summer Academy, and the New Mexico Chamber Music Festival.
Landstedt has performed solo and collaborative recitals across North America and Europe. Highlights of the 2024/2025 season include appearances at Carnegie Hall, Fazioli Concert Hall, and Palau de la Música Catalana. He made his concerto debut at age 16 with the New Mexico Philharmonic after winning the Jackie McGehee Young Artists’ Competition, and recorded Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in 2016 with the Duke Symphonette. He made his New York recital debut the following year. An avid chamber musician, he co-founded the Keyprano Duo with his wife, soprano Allison Landstedt, in 2021.
Landstedt graduated summa cum laude from the University of New Mexico, earning a Bachelor of Music degree and a second major in German, studying with Falko Steinbach. He pursued further studies at the Hochschule für Musik Würzburg with Silke-Thora Matthies and Markus Bellheim, and at Manhattan School of Music under Arkady Aronov. He earned his Master of Music at the University of British Columbia, where he is currently completing his DMA with Mark Anderson as a recipient of UBC’s Four Year Doctoral Fellowship. In 2025, he will begin a Graduate Professional Diploma at Boston Conservatory under Jonathan Bass.
Outside of music, Landstedt enjoys skiing, hiking, running, and spending time with his daughter, Kate.
FIRST ROUND
Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109
I. Vivace ma non troppo—Adagio espressivo
II. Prestissimo
III. Gesangvoll—mit innigster Empfindung—Andante molto cantabile ed espressivo
Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude and Fugue in A Major, No. 19, from The WellTempered Clavier, Book I, BWV 864
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Prelude in B-flat
Major, Op. 23, No. 2
Alexander Scriabin: Étude in b-flat minor, Op. 65, No. 3
György Ligeti: Étude No. 6, “Autumn in Warsaw”
QUARTERFINAL ROUND
Enrique Granados: “Coloquio en la reja” (from Goyescas, Op. 11)
Sergei Prokofiev: Sonata No. 6 in A Major, Op. 82
I. Allegro moderato
II. Allegretto
III. Tempo di valzer lentissimo
IV. Vivace
Olga Kern: Status Animae (State of Soul)—Two Pieces for Solo Piano
I. Meditation
II. Rhythm Obsession
George Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue (solo piano version)
SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC
Johannes Brahms: Piano Quintet in f minor, Op. 34
I. Allegro non troppo
II. Andante, un poco adagio
III. Scherzo: Allegro
IV. Finale: Poco sostenuto—Allegro non troppo—Presto, non troppo
FINAL ROUND
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58
I. Allegro moderato
II. Andante con moto
III. Rondo: Vivace
Delvan Lin
NEW ZEALAND
Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Delvan Lin is one of the country’s foremost emerging pianists.
He gave his first public performance at age 10 and has since performed on stages across four continents, including broadcasts on Radio NZ Concert’s Upbeat and The Arts Channel (Sky TV New Zealand).
Delvan has won first prizes in all of New Zealand’s major piano competitions, becoming the youngest winner of both the Wallace National Piano Competition and the PACANZ Young Performer of the Year Award. Internationally, he has been a laureate at the American International Piano Festival and Curtis Young Artist Summer Program Concerto Competition as well as the Lev Vlassenko, MTNA, Marian Garcia International, NEC Honors, and Tureck International Bach Competitions.
A dedicated chamber musician, Delvan is a two-time winner of the CMNZ National Chamber Music Competition with the Sollertinsky and L’arc en ciel Trios. He is the founding pianist of the Aurelian Trio, which received the Royal Over-Seas League Chamber Music Scholarship in 2017, leading to a UK tour with performances at St James’s Piccadilly, St Martin-in-the-Fields, Lake District Summer Music, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Delvan has appeared with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonic, Manukau Symphony, Bach Musica Auckland, Aotea Youth Symphony, and orchestras affiliated with the Curtis Institute of Music.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the Eastman School of Music (studying with Netlita True and Alan Chow), a Master’s degree from the New England Conservatory (studying with Dang Thai Son and Meng-Chieh Liu), and is currently pursuing an Artist Diploma at the Curtis Institute of Music under Michelle Cann.
FIRST ROUND
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Prelude in b minor, Op. 32, No. 10
Rachmaninoff: Étude-Tableau in e-flat minor, Op. 39, No. 5
Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude and Fugue in g minor, No. 16, from The WellTempered Clavier, Book II, BWV 885
Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonata No. 4 in E-flat Major, Op. 7, “Grand Sonata”
I. Allegro molto e con brio
II. Largo, con gran espressione
III. Allegro
IV. Rondo: Poco allegretto e grazioso
Frédéric Chopin: Étude in a minor, Op. 25, No. 11, “Winter Wind”
QUARTERFINAL ROUND
Olga Kern: Status Animae (State of Soul)—Two Pieces for Solo Piano
I. Meditation
II. Rhythm Obsession
Beethoven: Six Bagatelles, Op. 126
I. Andante con moto, cantabile e compiacevole
II. Allegro
III. Andante, cantabile e grazioso
IV. Presto
V. Quasi allegretto
VI. Presto—Andante amabile e con moto
Franz Liszt: Sonata in b minor, S. 178
SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC
Johannes Brahms: Piano Quintet in f minor, Op. 34
I. Allegro non troppo
II. Andante, un poco adagio
III. Scherzo: Allegro
IV. Finale: Poco sostenuto—Allegro non troppo—Presto, non troppo
FINAL ROUND
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3 in d minor, Op. 30
I. Allegro ma non tanto
II. Intermezzo: Adagio
III. Finale: Alla breve
Yongqiu Liu
CHINA
Praised for her expressivity, poetry, and powerful virtuosity, pianist Yongqiu Liu has captivated audiences across six continents in over thirty countries.
She made her Carnegie Hall concerto debut with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, performing Liszt’s First Piano Concerto, and has appeared as soloist with orchestras including the Minnesota Orchestra, Málaga Symphony, Armenia Symphony, Serbia Symphony, Morocco Philharmonic, Busan KNN Symphony, Novosibirsk Symphony, Xiamen Philharmonic, and Illyrian Symphony. She has worked with esteemed conductors such as Benjamin Zander, Charles Olivieri-Munroe, Gabor Hollerung, Anar Bramo, Bojan Suđić, and Sergey Smbatayan.
Yongqiu is a top prizewinner at numerous international competitions, including the Malta International Piano Competition (now “Dubai Classic”), IJMC Belgrade International Piano Competition, Heida Hermanns International Piano Competition, OPM Morocco International Piano Competition, USASU Bösendorfer International Piano Competition, Minnesota International Piano-eCompetition, International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians, and the New York Liszt International Competition.
She holds a Master’s degree from the Yale School of Music and a
Bachelor’s degree from New England Conservatory, both on full scholarship. Currently, she is a DMA candidate at New York University, where she serves as adjunct faculty in piano studies. Her teachers include Ting Zhou, Zhe Tang, Wha Kyung Byun, Alexander Korsantia, Boris Slutsky, Boris Berman, and Eduardus Halim.
FIRST ROUND
Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude and Fugue in a minor, No. 20, from The WellTempered Clavier, Book II, BWV 889
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Élégie in e-flat minor, Op. 3, No. 1 (from Morceaux de fantaisie)
Joseph Haydn: Sonata No. 62 in E-flat
Major, Hob. XVI:52
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Finale: Presto
Frédéric Chopin: Étude in a minor, Op. 25, No. 11, “Winter Wind”
Franz Liszt: Grande Étude de Paganini No. 3 in g-sharp minor, “La Campanella,” S. 141
QUARTERFINAL ROUND
Sergei Prokofiev: Sarcasms, Op. 17
I. Tempestoso
II. Allegro rubato
III. Allegro precipitato
IV. Smanioso
V. Precipitosissimo—Andantino
Olga Kern: Status Animae (State of Soul)—Two Pieces for Solo Piano
I. Meditation
II. Rhythm Obsession
Robert Schumann: Sonata No. 1 in f-sharp minor, Op. 11
I. Introduzione: Un poco adagio— Allegro vivace
II. Aria
III. Scherzo e Intermezzo: Allegrissimo— Lento
IV. Finale: Allegro un poco maestoso
Maurice Ravel: La Valse, M. 72
SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC
Antonín Dvořák: Piano Quintet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 81, B. 155
I. Allegro ma non tanto
II. Dumka: Andante con moto
III. Scherzo (Furiant): Molto vivace
IV. Finale: Allegro
FINAL ROUND
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in b-flat minor, Op. 23
I. Allegro ma non troppo e molto maestoso—Allegro con spiritoso
II. Andantino semplice—Prestissimo— Tempo I
III. Allegro con fuoco—Molto meno mosso—Allegro vivo
Jonathan Mak CANADA
Winner of the inaugural 2024 Concours International de Musique de Sorel-Tracy, pianist Jonathan Mak made his orchestral debut at the age of 4.
Since then, he has appeared as soloist with numerous ensembles, including the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal.
In recent seasons, Jonathan won the Grand Prize at the 2023 Bader & Overton Canadian Piano Competition, Grand Prize at the 2023 Plowman Chamber Music Competition with Trio Menil, First Prize at the 2024 Tuesday Musical Club Young Artists Competition, and Third Prize at the OSM Competition. He has also received special prizes at the Ljubljana Festival International Piano Competition (Slovenia) and the Maj Lind International Piano Competition (Finland).
Named one of CBC’s “30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30,” Jonathan is a recipient of the Canada Council for the Arts’ Michael Measures Prize, the Sylva Gelber Music Foundation Award, and the 2023 Walter Prystawski Prize.
Recent engagements include performances of Brahms’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Orchestre Symphonique de Trois-Rivières, Kingston Symphony Orchestra, and the Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra. He has appeared at festivals such as Bravo! Vail (Colorado), Festival of the Sound (Ontario), Ottawa Chamberfest, and the Edinburgh International Festival.
Jonathan is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts at Rice University under Jon Kimura Parker and holds degrees from Yale University and the Cleveland Institute of Music.
For more information, visit jonathanmakpiano.com.
FIRST ROUND
Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude and Fugue in f minor, No. 12, from The WellTempered Clavier, Book I, BWV 857
Franz Liszt: Transcendental Étude No. 10 in f minor, S. 139
György Ligeti: Étude No. 5, “Arc-en-ciel” (“Rainbow”)
Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonata No. 6 in F Major, Op. 10, No. 2
I. Allegro
II. Menuetto. Allegretto
III. Presto
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Prelude in D Major, Op. 23, No. 4
QUARTERFINAL ROUND
Olga Kern: Status Animae (State of Soul)—Two Pieces for Solo Piano
I. Meditation
II. Rhythm Obsession
Robert Schumann: Sonata No. 2 in g minor, Op. 22
I. So rasch wie möglich
II. Andantino. Getragen
III. Scherzo: Sehr rasch und markiert
IV. Rondo: Presto—Prestissimo. Quasi cadenza
Marc-André Hamelin: Étude No. 8 in b-flat minor, “Erlkönig, After Goethe”
Sergei Prokofiev: Sonata No. 8 in B-flat
Major, Op. 84
I. Andante dolce—Allegro moderato
II. Andante sognando
III. Vivace
SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC
Schumann: Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44
I. Allegro brillante
II. In modo d’una marcia: Un poco largamente
III. Scherzo: Molto vivace
IV. Allegro ma non troppo
FINAL ROUND
Johannes Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 83
I. Allegro non troppo
II. Allegro appassionato
III. Andante
IV. Allegretto grazioso
Sonya Pigot
AUSTRALIA-ROMANIA
Sonya Pigot’s performing career has taken her to prestigious venues worldwide such as Wigmore Hall, Steinway Hall, Royal Albert Hall, and concert halls throughout Asia, Australia, and Europe.
In January 2025, she was a semifinalist at the Liszt Utrecht International Piano Competition held at TivoliVredenburg in the Netherlands.
Sonya completed her Undergraduate, Master’s, and Artist Diploma degrees at the Royal College of Music, studying with renowned professors including Norma Fisher, Sofya Gulyak, Ashley Wass, Dimitri Alexeev, and Ian Jones. She currently holds a scholarship for a PhD at the RCM, exploring the relationship between personality and musical interpretation. She has performed for members of the British Royal Family and won prizes at numerous international competitions, including the Busoni International Piano Competition, Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition (First Prize), Berliner International Music Competition (Gold Medal), Hephzibah Menuhin Memorial Award (First Prize), and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra Rising Star competition (First Prize).
Supported by Talent Unlimited, Sonya looks forward to performing as a “New Artist” at Steinway Hall in London for the Keyboard Charitable Trust. She has appeared with orchestras since age 15, including performances of SaintSaëns’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra under Richard Gill AO and with the Perugia Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marius Stravinsky.
Sonya has participated in master classes with Alfred Brendel, Boris Berman, John Perry, Ewa Pobłocka, and Pavel Gililov. Alongside her solo career, she is scheduled to perform with violinist David Nebel, concertmaster of the Berlin Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, in the 2025/26 season.
FIRST ROUND
Joseph Haydn: Sonata in b minor, Hob. XVI:32
I. Allegro moderato
II. Menuet—Trio
III. Finale: Presto
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Étude-Tableau in e-flat minor, Op. 39, No. 5
Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude and Fugue in B-flat Major, No. 21, from The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I, BWV 866
Frédéric Chopin: Étude in c minor, Op. 10, No. 12, “Revolutionary”
Rachmaninoff: Polka de W.R.
QUARTERFINAL ROUND
Carl Vine: Five Bagatelles
Franz Liszt: Ballade No. 2 in b minor, S. 171
Carl Maria von Weber: Invitation to the Dance, Op. 65
Liszt: “Lyon” (from Album d’un voyageur, S. 156/1)
Olga Kern: Status Animae (State of Soul)—Two Pieces for Solo Piano
I. Meditation
II. Rhythm Obsession
Claude Debussy: L’Isle Joyeuse, L. 106
Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 17 in d minor, S. 244
SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC
Robert Schumann: Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44
I. Allegro brillante
II. In modo d’una marcia: Un poco largamente
III. Scherzo: Molto vivace
IV. Allegro ma non troppo
FINAL ROUND
Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, S. 124
I. Allegro maestoso
II. Quasi adagio
III. Allegretto vivace—Allegro animato
IV. Allegro marziale animato
Daria Podorozhnova
RUSSIA
Daria Podorozhnova is a Russian pianist currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree at Manhattan School of Music in New York, studying with Alexandre Moutouzkine.
She is a recipient of the prestigious Harold and Helene Schonberg Pianist Scholarship.
Born in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Daria began piano studies at age 6 at the Special Music School affiliated with the Rostov State Conservatory. She trained under Inna Serebryanskaya and later with renowned professor Sergei Osipenko.
Daria has gained international recognition through numerous competitions. At 15, she won Third Prize at the V International Astana Piano Passion Competition. She earned First Prize at the I International New Generation Piano Competition in Moscow and the II International Rachmaninoff’s Legacy Competition in Rostov-on-Don. Recent highlights include Sixth Prize at the 69th Maria Canals International Competition in Barcelona; First Prize at the 2025 Chopin International Piano Competition in Hartford, CT; and First Prize at the 2025 Ann & Charles Eisemann Young Artist Competition in Dallas, which led to a solo performance with the Richardson Symphony Orchestra. In February 2025, she won the Eisenberg-Fried Concerto Competition and will perform Brahms’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Manhattan
School of Music Symphony Orchestra in the 2025/2026 season.
Daria has performed widely across Russia and internationally, both as a recitalist and soloist with orchestras such as the Rostov Symphony, Krasnodar Premier Orchestra, Astana Symphony, Irkutsk Symphony, Volgodonsk Symphony, and the Richardson Symphony Orchestra. She has also appeared at festivals including Stars on the Baikal (Irkutsk), the XVII International Piano Festival Mariinsky (Saint Petersburg), and the Vivace International Music Festival (Wilmington, NC).
FIRST ROUND
Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude and Fugue in b-flat minor, No. 22, from The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II, BWV 891
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 4 in E-flat Major, Op. 7, “Grand Sonata” I. Allegro molto e con brio
II. Largo, con gran espressione
III. Allegro
IV. Rondo: Poco allegretto e grazioso György Ligeti: Étude No. 13, “L’escalier du diable” (“The Devil’s Staircase”)
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Étude-Tableau in c minor, Op. 39, No. 1, “The Sea”
QUARTERFINAL ROUND
Joseph Haydn: Sonata in E Major, Hob. XVI:31
I. Moderato
II. Allegretto
III. Finale: Presto
Olga Kern: Status Animae (State of Soul)—Two Pieces for Solo Piano
I. Meditation
II. Rhythm Obsession
Johannes Brahms: Sonata No. 2 in f-sharp minor, Op. 2
I. Allegro non troppo, ma energico
II. Andante con espressione
III. Scherzo: Allegro—Poco più moderato
IV. Finale: Sostenuto—Allegro non troppo e rubato—Molto sostenuto Igor Stravinsky (transcribed Agosti): The Firebird
I. Danse Infernale du roi Kastcheï
II. Berceuse
III. Finale
SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC
Robert Schumann: Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44
I. Allegro brillante
II. In modo d’una marcia: Un poco largamente
III. Scherzo: Molto vivace
IV. Allegro ma non troppo
FINAL ROUND
Johannes Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 83
I. Allegro non troppo
II. Allegro appassionato
III. Andante
IV. Allegretto grazioso
Davide Ranaldi
ITALY
Defined as a stunning musician with a sincere and engaging personality, Davide Ranaldi began his professional piano education at age 4.
Highlights of his current season include performing Mozart’s Concerto No. 20 in d minor, K. 466, at Teatro La Fenice di Venezia under Frédéric Chaslin, and Beethoven’s Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15, at Teatro Carlo Felice di Genova with Maestro Donato Renzetti. At the end of 2021, Davide was invited to play Beethoven’s Concerto No. 2 to inaugurate the cultural project Nell’Olimpo di Beethoven in Cortina d’Ampezzo, host of the 2026 Winter Olympics. That same year, he won First Prize at the prestigious Premio Venezia XXXVII, among Italy’s top conservatory graduates.
Davide earned his Bachelor of Music with honors from the Conservatory Giuseppe Verdi in Milan, receiving special mention for his “outstanding technical and musical skills.” He has performed at Italy’s most prestigious concert series and festivals, including Società del Quartetto (Milan), Bologna Festival, and Amici della Musica series in Florence, Padova, and Mestre (with Trio Boccherini), as well as chamber music in Trieste. His performances have also graced world-renowned venues such as Teatro Olimpico (Vicenza), Teatro Carlo Felice (Genoa), Teatro La Fenice (Venice), and Teatro Massimo (Palermo).
Davide is currently studying under Professor Alexander Romanovsky at the Conservatory of Pavia and Professor Leonid Margarius at the International Academy “Incontri col Maestro” in Imola. He began 2025 by winning Second Prize at the International Maestro Piano Competition in Taiwan.
FIRST ROUND
Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude and Fugue in c-sharp minor, No. 4, from The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I, BWV 849
Franz Liszt: Transcendental Étude No. 4, “Mazeppa,” S. 139
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Prelude in D Major, Op. 23, No. 4
QUARTERFINAL ROUND
Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonata No. 21 in C Major, Op. 53 “Waldstein”
I. Allegro con brio
II. Introduzione: Adagio molto
III. Rondo: Allegretto moderato— Prestissimo
Olga Kern: Status Animae (State of Soul)—Two Pieces for Solo Piano
I. Meditation
II. Rhythm Obsession
Johannes Brahms: Variations on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 35, Books I & II
SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC
Antonín Dvořák: Piano Quintet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 81, B. 155
I. Allegro ma non tanto
II. Dumka: Andante con moto
III. Scherzo (Furiant): Molto vivace
IV. Finale: Allegro
FINAL ROUND
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3 in d minor, Op. 30
I. Allegro ma non tanto
II. Intermezzo: Adagio
III. Finale: Alla breve
Zhu Wang
CHINA
Praised as “especially impressive” and “a thoughtful, sensitive performer” who “balanced lyrical warmth and crisp clarity” ( The New York Times ), pianist Zhu Wang is a rising artist whose performances have earned acclaim for their depth and elegance.
He was awarded First Prize at the 2020 Young Concert Artists Susan Wadsworth International Auditions and won the Gold Medal at the 2024 New Orleans International Piano Competition. He is also a laureate of the 2024 Cleveland International Piano Competition and a finalist of the 2019 Clara Haskil International Piano Competition. The legendary pianist Fou Ts’ong described him as an “excellent pianist with a natural sense of harmony and imagination.”
Recent engagements include performances with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and the New York Youth Symphony at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium, as well as appearances with the Columbus, Kansas City, Spokane, Memphis, and Richmond Symphony Orchestras. He also gave a solo recital at the Hilton Head International Piano Competition.
Buffalo Chamber Music Society, Salon de Virtuosi, and the Hayden’s Ferry Chamber Music Series.
Born in Hunan Province, China, Zhu began piano studies at the age of 5, inspired by his grandfather’s love of music. He is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and The Juilliard School, where he received the Gina Bachauer Scholarship, Mieczysław Munz Scholarship, and Mehlin Prize. He is currently pursuing his Master’s degree at Juilliard under the guidance of Emanuel Ax and Robert McDonald. He gratefully acknowledges support from the Bagby Foundation for the Musical Arts and resides in New York City with his wife, Chloe, and their two cats, Chaz and Tùzi.
FIRST ROUND
Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in G Major, K. 13
Scarlatti: Sonata in D Major, K. 29
Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonata No. 31 in A-flat Major, Op. 110
I. Moderato cantabile molto espressivo
II. Allegro molto
III. Adagio ma non troppo—Fuga: Allegro ma non troppo
Claude Debussy: Étude No. 8, “Pour les agréments,” L. 136
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Étude-Tableau in c minor, Op. 39, No. 1, “The Sea”
Fritz Kreisler (transcribed Rachmaninoff): “Liebesfreud” (“Love’s Joy”)
QUARTERFINAL ROUND
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Sonata No. 12 in F Major, K. 332
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Allegro assai
Robert Schumann: Humoreske in B-flat Major, Op. 20
Olga Kern: Status Animae (State of Soul)—Two Pieces for Solo Piano
I. Meditation
II. Rhythm Obsession
Béla Bartók: Piano Sonata, BB. 88, Sz. 80
I. Allegro moderato
II. Sostenuto e pesante
III. Allegro molto
SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC
Johannes Brahms: Piano Quintet in f minor, Op. 34
I. Allegro non troppo
II. Andante, un poco adagio
III. Scherzo: Allegro
IV. Finale: Poco sostenuto—Allegro non troppo—Presto, non troppo
Zhu has appeared in recital at venues such as the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater, Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall (featured in The New York Times’s “Best of Classical Music 2021”), The Morgan Library & Museum, Dumbarton Oaks, Southampton Rising Stars,
FINAL ROUND
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3 in d minor, Op. 30
I. Allegro ma non tanto
II. Intermezzo: Adagio
III. Finale: Alla breve
Marie Wurtz
UNITED STATES
Marie Wurtz is currently pursuing undergraduate piano studies with James Giles at Northwestern University.
She previously studied with Inesa Sinkevych at Manhattan School of Music Precollege and was named a 2022 Finalist by the National YoungArts Foundation.
Marie has participated in prestigious festivals including the 2018 Bowdoin International Music Festival (studio of Peter Serkin) and the Aspen Music Festival from 2022 to 2024, working with Arie Vardi, Anton Nel, Yoheved Kaplinsky, and Hung-Kuan Chen.
Recent awards include the Christa Bach-Marschall Foundation Prize at the 2025 International Bach Competition in Leipzig, the Nerenberg Award from the Musicians’ Club of Women in Chicago, and Third Prize in the ThaviuIsaak Endowed Piano Competition. She won First Prize at the Philadelphia International Piano Competition and Northwestern University’s Dover Quartet Chamber Music Competition, as well as Second Prize at the Spotlight International Piano Competition.
Marie has taken part in master classes with the Dover Quartet, Gary Graffman, Alexander Korsantia, Michelle Cann, and Shai Wosner, and has studied privately with Maria João Pires.
FIRST ROUND
Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude and Fugue in d minor, No. 6, from The WellTempered Clavier, Book II, BWV 875 Frédéric Chopin: Étude in C Major, Op. 10, No. 1
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Étude-Tableau in D Major, Op. 39, No. 9
Fritz Kreisler (transcribed Rachmaninoff): “Liebesleid” (“Love’s Sorrow”)
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 28 in A Major, Op. 101
I. Etwas lebhaft und mit der innigsten Empfindung. Allegretto, ma non troppo
II. Lebhaft, marschmäßig. Vivace alla marcia
III. Langsam und sehnsuchtsvoll. Adagio, ma non troppo, con affetto
IV. Geschwind, doch nicht zu sehr, und mit Entschlossenheit. Allegro
QUARTERFINAL ROUND
Olga Kern: Status Animae (State of Soul)—Two Pieces for Solo Piano
I. Meditation
II. Rhythm Obsession
Robert Schumann: Kreisleriana, Op. 16
I. Äußerst bewegt
II. Sehr innig und nicht zu rasch
III. Sehr aufgeregt
IV. Sehr langsam
V. Sehr lebhaft
VI. Sehr langsam
VII. Sehr rasch
VIII. Schnell und spielend
Samuel Barber: Sonata in e-flat minor, Op. 26
I. Allegro energico
II. Allegro vivace e leggero
III. Adagio mesto
IV. Fuga: Allegro con spirito
SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC
Johannes Brahms: Piano Quintet in f minor, Op. 34
I. Allegro non troppo
II. Andante, un poco adagio
III. Scherzo: Allegro
IV. Finale: Poco sostenuto—Allegro non troppo—Presto, non troppo
FINAL ROUND
Sergei Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26
I. Andante—Allegro
II. Tema con variazioni
III. Allegro, ma non troppo
Sung Ho Yoo
KOREA
Pianist Sung Ho Yoo, born in Seoul, South Korea, has earned international acclaim for his profound artistry and technical brilliance.
He recently won First Prize at the 2024 Seoul International Music Competition and was awarded a Special Prize at the 2018 Geneva International Music Competition.
Yoo completed both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees with top honors at Korea National University of Arts, studying under Daejin Kim, and received the President’s Award in 2019. He earned a second Master’s degree at the New England Conservatory in Boston, where he studied with Dang Thai Son. Currently, he is pursuing the Konzertexamen at Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover with Arie Vardi.
As a soloist, Yoo has performed with leading orchestras including the KBS Symphony Orchestra, Tongyeong Festival Orchestra, Gunpo Prime Philharmonic, and DITTO Orchestra. He made his concerto debut at age 16 at Seoul Arts Center, performing Rachmaninoff with the Sunhwa Arts High School Orchestra. His performance of Chopin with the Novaya Rossiya State Symphony Orchestra in Moscow received particular acclaim.
Notable highlights include a duo recital with cellist Sung-won Yang at the M Classical Music Festival, and performances at the Seoul International Music Festival, Music in PyeongChang Festival, and Kumho Young Artist Series.
FIRST ROUND
Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude and Fugue in g minor, No. 16, from The WellTempered Clavier, Book II, BWV 885
Frédéric Chopin: Étude in A-flat Major, Op. 10, No. 10
Claude Debussy: Étude No. 7, “Pour les degrés chromatiques,” L. 136
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 28 in A Major, Op. 101
I. Etwas lebhaft und mit der innigsten Empfindung. Allegretto, ma non troppo
II. Lebhaft, marschmäßig. Vivace alla marcia
III. Langsam und sehnsuchtsvoll. Adagio, ma non troppo, con affetto IV. Geschwind, doch nicht zu sehr, und mit Entschlossenheit. Allegro
Fritz Kreisler (transcribed Rachmaninoff): “Liebesleid” (“Love’s Sorrow”)
QUARTERFINAL ROUND
Arnold Schoenberg: Suite for Piano, Op. 25
I. Präludium
II. Gavotte
III. Musette
IV. Intermezzo
V. Menuett. Trio
VI. Gigue
Franz Schubert: Piano Sonata in A Major, D. 664
I. Allegro moderato
II. Andante
III. Allegro
Yoo’s recital and chamber music appearances span China, Japan, Russia, Germany, Spain, and Switzerland.
Samuel Barber: Sonata in e-flat minor, Op. 26
I. Allegro energico
II. Allegro vivace e leggero
III. Adagio mesto
IV. Fuga: Allegro con spirito
Olga Kern: Status Animae (State of Soul)—Two Pieces for Solo Piano
I. Meditation
II. Rhythm Obsession
SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC
Antonín Dvořák: Piano Quintet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 81, B. 155
I. Allegro ma non tanto
II. Dumka: Andante con moto
III. Scherzo (Furiant): Molto vivace
IV. Finale: Allegro
FINAL ROUND
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3 in d minor, Op. 30
I. Allegro ma non tanto
II. Intermezzo: Adagio
III. Finale: Alla breve
Ai In Yoon
KOREA
South Korean pianist Ain Yoon showed extraordinary musical talent early, giving her first recital at age 4 and making her orchestral debut at 8.
Her artistry and technical skill have established her as a leading pianist of her generation.
She trained at the Central Music School of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and graduated from the Conservatory under the guidance of renowned pedagogue Eliso Virsaladze, with whom she continues advanced studies.
Ain is a laureate of numerous national and international competitions across Russia, the U.S., Estonia, Latvia, and South Korea. At 13, she recorded her debut solo album, demonstrating remarkable musical maturity.
Her active international career includes solo and orchestral performances with the Gyeonggi Philharmonic, Goyang Symphony, Incheon Symphony, and KT Chamber Orchestra in South Korea, as well as the Shumen Symphony (Bulgaria) and Kaunas Philharmonic (Lithuania).
In Russia, Ain has collaborated with the Volgograd, Naberezhnye Chelny, Kostroma, Samara, Petrozavodsk, and Novgorod symphonies, and performed with Moscow’s Musica Viva Academic Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra Kremlin, and Center Slobodkina Orchestra.
She regularly performs across South Korea, Russia, Italy, Bulgaria, the U.S., France, Singapore, Brazil, Spain, and beyond, continuing to expand her artistic reach worldwide.
FIRST ROUND
Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in G Major, K. 55
Scarlatti: Sonata in d minor, K. 141
Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 2, No. 2
I. Allegro vivace
II. Largo appassionato
III. Scherzo: Allegretto
IV. Rondo: Grazioso
Sergei Rachmaninoff: “Lilacs” from 12 Romances, Op. 21, No. 5
Franz Liszt: Grande Étude de Paganini No. 6 in a minor, S. 141
QUARTERFINAL ROUND
Olga Kern: Status Animae (State of Soul)—Two Pieces for Solo Piano
I. Meditation
II. Rhythm Obsession
Liszt: Rhapsodie espagnole, S. 254
Sergei Prokofiev: Sonata No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 28
Rachmaninoff: Six moments musicaux, Op. 16
I. Andantino
II. Allegretto
III. Andante cantabile
IV. Presto
V. Adagio sostenuto
VI. Maestoso
SEMIFINAL ROUND
Johannes Brahms: Piano Quintet in f minor, Op. 34
I. Allegro non troppo
II. Andante, un poco adagio
III. Scherzo: Allegro
IV. Finale: Poco sostenuto—Allegro non troppo—Presto, non troppo
FINAL ROUND
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 in c minor, Op. 18
I. Moderato
II. Adagio sostenuto—Più animato— Tempo I
III. Allegro scherzando
Ningxin Zhan
CHINA
Ningxin Zhan, 22, is a Chinese classical pianist committed to sharing music with diverse audiences worldwide.
She began piano studies at the age of 5 and was admitted at 9 to the Middle School affiliated with the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, where she received multiple scholarships. Ningxin currently studies under Dr. Steven Spooner and Professor Boris Slutsky at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University.
She was awarded Second Prize at the 2023 New York Franz Liszt International Piano Competition, which led to her Carnegie Hall debut at both Weill Recital Hall and Stern Auditorium, where she performed Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. Ningxin also won First Prize and the Best Scriabin Performance Award at the 2019 Virginia Waring International Piano Competition, after which she performed Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Gulf Coast Symphony in 2022. Additional prizes include top honors at the 2023 Jacob Flier Piano Competition, the 2022 Yale Gordon Competition, the 2020 Sviatoslav Richter International Piano Competition, and the 2021 Vladimir Krainev Moscow International Piano Competition.
A recipient of the 2023 Clara Wells Scholarship from the American Matthay Association, Ningxin has participated in leading summer programs such as the Aspen Music Festival, PianoTexas, Sarasota Music Festival, Rebecca Penneys Piano Festival, and PianoSummer at New Paltz. She has studied in master classes with Richard Goode, Robert Levin, Jerome Lowenthal, and Hung-Kuan Chen. As a chamber musician, she collaborates closely with cellist Michael Kannen.
FIRST ROUND
Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude and Fugue in F Major, No. 11, from The WellTempered Clavier, Book II, BWV 880
Joseph Haydn: Sonata in C Major, Hob. XVI:48
I. Andante con espressione
II. Rondo: Presto
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Étude-Tableau in f-sharp minor, “The Day of Wrath,” Op. 39, No. 3
Rachmaninoff: “Daisies,” from Six Romances, Op. 38, No. 3
Rachmaninoff: Sonata No. 2 in b-flat minor, Op. 36
I. Allegro agitato (1913 version)
II. Non allegro—Lento (1931 revision)
III. Allegro molto (1931 revision)
QUARTERFINAL ROUND
Joseph Haydn: Sonata in c minor, Hob.
XVI:20
I. Moderato
II. Andante con moto
III. Finale: Allegro
Franz Liszt: Impromptu “Nocturne,” S. 191
Liszt: Sonata in b minor, S. 178
Olga Kern: Status Animae (State of Soul)—Two Pieces for Solo Piano
I. Meditation
II. Rhythm Obsession
SEMIFINAL ROUND
Antonín Dvořák: Piano Quintet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 81, B. 155
I. Allegro ma non tanto
II. Dumka: Andante con moto
III. Scherzo (Furiant): Molto vivace
IV. Finale: Allegro
FINAL ROUND
Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, S. 124
I. Allegro maestoso
II. Quasi adagio
III. Allegretto vivace—Allegro animato
IV. Allegro marziale animato
Monica Zhang
ITALY
Praised for her deeply musical soul, natural artistry, and extraordinary technique, Monica Zhang was born in Milan in 2007.
She has won prizes in more than 30 piano competitions, including the Livorno International Piano Competition, Scriabin International Piano Competition Junior, Euregio Piano Award, and Prix du Piano Bern. After winning the Italian Steinway Competition, Monica represented Italy at the 19th International Steinway Festival in Hamburg.
Monica performs regularly as a soloist and chamber musician at prestigious festivals and venues across Germany, Italy, the U.S., Iceland, Austria, France, Russia, Switzerland, Spain, England, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco. Her notable performance venues include Sala Verdi in Milan, Gustav Mahler Saal, Van Cliburn Concert Hall and Ed Landreth Hall in Fort Worth, Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza, Bösendorfer Salon in the Musikverein in Vienna, and Teatro Verdi in Pisa. She has performed for the Bocelli Foundation and had the honor of playing for the President of the Italian Republic. Monica has been an artist-in-residence at La Società dei Concerti in Milan and was a guest on the 2021 RAI TV show Prodigi, where she won the contest as Best Musician.
Her orchestral collaborations include performances with the Fort Worth Symphony, Bodensee Philharmonie, Orchestra del Teatro Goldoni of Livorno, and Orchestra Antonio Vivaldi. In 2024, she stepped in at short notice for the 2022 Cliburn Gold Medalist Yunchan Lim in Sala Verdi, Milan. Renowned pianist Evgeny Kissin has praised Monica’s talent. Also in 2024, her debut album was released by Da Vinci Classics.
Monica began her musical journey at age 8 and currently studies with Cristina Frosini at the Milan Conservatory. She has attended master classes and festivals including PianoTexas Festival, Accademia Chigiana in Siena, Eppan Piano Academy, Stauffer Academy in Cremona, and the Theo Lieven Foundation in Vienna.
FIRST ROUND
Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in F Major, K. 438
Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in f minor, K. 466
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Sonata No. 18 in D Major, K. 576
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Allegretto
Frédéric Chopin: Étude in e-flat minor, Op. 10, No. 6
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Élégie in e-flat minor, Op. 3, No. 1 (from Morceaux de fantaisie)
Rachmaninoff: Étude-Tableau in c minor, Op. 39, No. 1, “The Sea”
QUARTERFINAL ROUND
Robert Schumann: Symphonic Études, Op. 13
Olga Kern: Status Animae (State of Soul)—Two Pieces for Solo Piano
I. Meditation
II. Rhythm Obsession
Rachmaninoff: Variations on a Theme of Chopin, Op. 22
SEMIFINAL ROUND—CHAMBER MUSIC
Antonín Dvořák: Piano Quintet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 81, B. 155
I. Allegro ma non tanto
II. Dumka: Andante con moto
III. Scherzo (Furiant): Molto vivace
IV. Finale: Allegro
FINAL ROUND
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in b-flat minor, Op. 23
I. Allegro ma non troppo e molto maestoso—Allegro con spiritoso
II. Andantino semplice—Prestissimo— Tempo I
III. Allegro con fuoco—Molto meno mosso—Allegro vivo
Dalí Quartet
NATIONAL HISPANIC CULTURAL CENTER
ALBUQUERQUE, NM • OCTOBER 18, 2025
String Quartet in A major, Op. 18, No. 5
I. Allegro
II. Menuetto - Trio
III. Andante cantabile (Theme with variations)
IV. Allegro
Tango Ballet (1956)
I. Titulos
II. La Calle
III. Encuentro – Olvido
IV. Cabaret
V. Soledad
VI. Retorno a Calle
Langsamer Satz (1905)
INTERMISSION
String Quartet No. 11, Op. 95, F minor (Serioso)
I. Allegro con brio
II. Allegretto ma non troppo
III. Allegro assai vivace ma serioso
IV. Larghetto espressivo
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992)
Anton Weber (1883–1945)
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Board & Staff
BOARD
Maureen Baca
President
Olga Kern
Artistic Director & President of the Jury
Roland Gerencer, MD
Vice President
Thomas Bird
Secretary-Treasurer
Art Gardenswartz
Marian Tanau
Executive Director
STAFF
Olga Kern
Artistic Director & President of the Jury
Marian Tanau
Executive Director
Nancy Pressley-Naimark
Business Manager
Lori Newman
Editor
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Generous Support
Volunteers, Expertise, Services, & Equipment.
The Olga Kern International Piano Competition would like to thank the following people for their support and in-kind donations of volunteer time, expertise, services, products, and equipment.
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