CIPC for Young Artists Program Book

for Young Artists

July 5 - 16, 2023

In partnership with Presented by

WELCOME FROM OUR LEADERSHIP Dear Friends,

We are thrilled to welcome you to this summer’s celebration of the world’s brightest piano stars through the Cleveland International Piano Competition and Institute for Young Artists! This year’s youth competition has been redesigned to support young artists in today’s changing music world by offering unparalleled learning and performance opportunities for the next generation of classical pianists.

Known as one of the top competitions worldwide for young pianists, the CIPC for Young Artists has already launched the career of many exceptional artists, including Yunchan Lim (Second Prize, 2018 CIPC for Young Artists Junior Division), who took the music world by storm through his win at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition last year and Eva Gevorgyan, our 2018 Junior Division First Prize Winner, who has already built an impressive international career at only 19 years old.

Our 2023 contestants are no exception: as you will hear, the level of these young stars is almost indistinguishable from those in our signature adult competition, making the selection of 32 contestants from our record-breaking 217 applicants from 22 countries and regions extremely difficult. Our contestants may look like ordinary kids, but you will hear that they have truly extraordinary talent!

From the 32 contestants admitted to the First Round, only six were chosen as Finalists to perform for you live in Cleveland. Our Finalists this year have several unique opportunities as part of their experience: first, they will perform and learn side-by-side with members of The Cleveland Orchestra in their Chamber Music round, and second, they will take the Gartner Auditorium stage to perform concerto movements with conductor Steven Byess and the Canton Symphony Orchestra. For some, this may be the first time they perform as soloists with a professional orchestra, so we hope many of you will be there to experience their brilliance.

Our Finalists will also learn alongside participants in our newly minted Piano Institute, presented for the first time with the Cleveland Institute of Music and in partnership with the Lang Lang International Music Foundation. This exciting new collaboration offers top-tier training and pedagogical experiences for young pianists, where they have the opportunity to study with world-class faculty and get a glimpse of how to build a classical music career. We are particularly excited to extend some of this programming to local students and their families through PianoPals, generously sponsored by Kaulig Giving.

You will also benefit from the dynamism of our institute faculty, as Eva Gevorgyan and Gabriela Montero will both present stirring solo recitals that expand our ears and understanding of what classical music can be.

We at Piano Cleveland love to push the boundaries of piano music while enhancing your experience as an audience member and arts lover. As we look forward to our 50th anniversary next year, we can’t wait to share our innovative new design for our signature event, the 2024 Cleveland International Piano Competition. Stay tuned!

Thank you for being a part of the Piano Cleveland family and we hope you enjoy watching these young artists shine.

Greetings

WELCOME FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR

Welcome!

This summer, Piano Cleveland offers a wide range of programs that showcase the breadth of the piano’s capabilities and culminate in our exciting Clair de Lune Gala.

The centerpiece of our activities is the Cleveland International Piano Competition and Institute for Young Artists in partnership with the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Lang Lang International Music Foundation. Contestants and audiences alike will enjoy exceptional experiences during these twelve days - our young artists are extraordinary individuals whose talent and dedication promise to enhance the world of piano!

In addition, we have continued our outreach community activities with one-of-a-kind performances, pop-up concerts in various locations, and neighborhood “Watch Parties.” We are committed to looking for ways to connect our community with the opportunities and joy that piano can bring while continuing the rich tradition of our international competitions.

Do mark your calendars now for next year’s Cleveland International Piano Competition, our signature event, when we will celebrate our 50th Anniversary and bring the most promising international pianists ages 18-32 to Cleveland!

We extend our deepest thanks to our Board of Directors, President’s Council, supporting foundations, corporations and individuals for their generosity. We are also grateful to The Cleveland Orchestra, the Canton Symphony Orchestra, and Cleveland Institute of Music, who have helped us give these young artists an incredible experience this summer.

We hope you enjoy the magic of these talented young artists!

Lorem Ipsum

Schedule of Events

SATURDAY, JUNE 3

PIANO CLEVELAND LIVE

5:30PM

Van Aken District

Join us at our pop-up concerts to see funfilled piano performances around town.

THURSDAY, JUNE 8

PIANO CLEVELAND LIVE

5:30PM

Crocker Park

THURSDAY, JUNE 22

EASTSIDE WATCH PARTY

5:00PM

Beachwood Community Center

Check out our First Round contestants at one of our fun, family-friendly watch parties, complete with piano activities and tasty snacks. Hosted by Marshall Griffith.

FIRST ROUND BROADCAST, SESSION 1

7:30PM

Contestants perform their First Round solo recitals from around the world.

Junior Division

• Zhonghua Wei

• Yixin Shen

Senior Division

• Zhexiang Li

• Young Ho Shin

FRIDAY, JUNE 23

FIRST ROUND BROADCAST, SESSION 2

7:30PM

Contestants perform their First Round solo recitals from around the world.

Junior Division

• Ryan Huang

• Taige Wang

Senior Division

• Eugenia Sánchez Durán

• Jeongwoo Lee

SATURDAY, JUNE 24

FIRST ROUND BROADCAST, SESSION 3

2:00PM

Contestants perform their First Round solo recitals from around the world.

Junior Division

• Elisey Mysin

• Giulianna Chen

Senior Division

• Xuanyan Gong

• Seokyoung Hong

SUNDAY, JUNE 25

FIRST ROUND BROADCAST, SESSION 4

2:00PM

Contestants perform their First Round solo recitals from around the world.

Junior Division

• Anwen Deng

• Eddison Chen

Senior Division

• Zihan Jiang

• Fuyin Liu

THURSDAY, JUNE 29

WESTSIDE WATCH PARTY

5:00PM

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Check out our First Round contestants at one of our fun, familyfriendly watch parties, complete with piano activities and tasty snacks. Hosted by Vera Holzcer.

FIRST ROUND BROADCAST, SESSION 5

7:30PM

Contestants perform their First Round solo recitals from around the world.

Junior Division

• Bo-Wei Huang

• Xinran Shi

Senior Division

• Haerim Park

• Ryan Wang

FRIDAY, JUNE 30

FIRST ROUND BROADCAST, SESSION 6

7:30PM

Contestants perform their First Round solo recitals from around the world.

Junior Division

• Zihao Nan

• Qinyaoyao Ji

Senior Division

• Chih-Chun Lu

• Kai-Lang Yang

SATURDAY, JULY 1

FIRST ROUND BROADCAST, SESSION 7

2:00PM

Contestants perform their First Round solo recitals from around the world.

Junior Division

• Chaeryeong Kim

• Yujie Li

Senior Division

• Saehyun Kim

• Yanyan Bao

SUNDAY, JULY 2

FIRST ROUND BROADCAST, SESSION 8

2:00PM

Contestants perform their First Round solo recitals from around the world.

Junior Division

• Tian Xia

• Sophia Shuya Liu

Senior Division

• Guillermo Hernández Barrocal

• Valdemar Wenzel Most

Schedule of Events

JULY 5 - 15

PIANO PALS

Local piano students mix and mingle with their peers at the Institute through the Piano Pals program, sponsored by Kaulig Giving.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5

EVA GEVORGYAN

7:30PM

Mixon Hall

Cleveland Institute of Music

Kick off the summer competition with our First Prize Winner of the 2018 CIPC for Young Artists!

THURSDAY, JULY 6

INSTITUTE IN ACTION MASTERCLASS: ANTONIO POMPA-BALDI

4:30PM

Mixon Hall

Cleveland Institute of Music

Get an inside look into what our Institute participants are experiencing! See them learn from the best at a masterclass presented by CIM Faculty member Antonio Pompa-Baldi.

CONTESTANTS IN THE COMMUNITY

7:30PM

Guzzetta Hall University of Akron

Don’t miss your chance to catch these amazing young artists right in your own backyard!

FRIDAY, JULY 7

CONTESTANTS IN THE COMMUNITY

2:00PM

Tri-C Metro Campus Theater

Don’t miss your chance to catch these amazing young artists right in your own backyard!

SATURDAY, JULY 8

CONTESTANTS IN THE COMMUNITY

2:00PM

Temple-Tifereth Israel

Don’t miss your chance to catch these amazing young artists right in your own backyard!

SUNDAY, JULY 9

GABRIELA MONTERO

7:30PM

Reinberger Chamber Hall Severance Music Center

Experience one of today’s top pianists in a sparkling and engaging program of piano favorites and original improvisations.

THURSDAY, JULY 13

CHAMBER ROUND

7:30PM

Mixon Hall

Cleveland Institute of Music

Experience our six Finalists perform with leading members of The Cleveland Orchestra.

FRIDAY, JULY 14

INSTITUTE IN ACTION INSTITUTE

COMPETITION

1:30PM

Mixon Hall

Cleveland Institute of Music

Hear our international Institute participants shine in a minicompetition.

SATURDAY, JULY 15

CONCERTO ROUND

7:30PM

Gartner Auditorium

Cleveland Museum of Art

Our six Finalists showcase their best in concerto performances with The Canton Symphony Orchestra.

In Loving Memory of William P. Blair III

SUNDAY, JULY 16

CLAIR DE LUNE GALA

5:00PM

Founders Ballroom

InterContinental Cleveland

An evening of moonlight and magic celebrating the newly-awarded CIPC for Young Artists Medalists.

PRESENTED BY

Supporting those who strive for excellence to touch our souls.

fnb-online.com | 1-800-555-5455

MEMBER FDIC

For every care in the community.

Cleveland Clinic Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute proudly supports Piano Cleveland and the Clair de Lune Gala.

We honor Dr. Gösta and Ninna Pettersson, who have been supporters of Piano Cleveland for almost twenty years. Thank you for your dedication to organizations that invest in the Cleveland community and enhance the profile of our city.

Featured Artists

EVA GEVORGYAN

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5 | 7:30PM

Mixon Hall, Cleveland Institute of Music

PROGRAM

Étude-tableau in C Minor, Op. 39, No. 1

Étude-tableau in A Minor, Op. 39, No. 2

Étude-tableau in F-sharp Minor, Op. 39, No. 3

Étude-tableau in A Minor, Op. 39, No. 6

Sonata No. 2 in B-flat Minor, Op. 46

Allegro agitato

Non allegro-Lento

Allegro molto

Sonata No. 6 in A Major, Op. 82

Allegro moderato

Allegretto

Tempo di valzer lentissimo

Vivace

Intermission

Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)

Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)

Sergei Prokofiev (1881-1953)

LEARN ABOUT EVA

Critics rave at her “emotional eloquence and impeccable technique” combined with all “the important features of a mature master” (ICMA): 19-year old Armenian pianist Eva Gevorgyan has quickly established herself as one of the most promising talents in the pianistic world.

Eva Gevorgyan has performed with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, Mariinsky Orchestra, National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia, Russian National Orchestra, State Academic Symphony Orchestra “Evgeny Svetlanov”, Canton Symphony Orchestra, Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra, Malta Philharmonic and others. She has already performed at major concert venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Hamburg’s Laeiszhalle, the Mariinsky Concert Hall, Moscow Conservatory Great Hall, and KKL Lucerne. Eva has participated in the Verbier Festival, Duszniki International Chopin Piano Festival, Stars of the White Nights Festival, Eilat Chamber Music Festival, Palermo Classica Festival, the Perugia Piano Festival, ClaviCologne Festival and Klassik vor Acht, Jeune Chopin à Cannes, Ferrara Piano Festival, Elena Cobb Star Prize Festival, Fränkische Musiktage Alzenau and others. In January 2020 Eva was invited to perform in Yerevan in front of the President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian and his spouse. At the Alto Adige Festival she performed in the presence of Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella.

Eva has appeared with such conductors as Vladimir Spivakov, Lawrence Foster, Vasily Petrenko, Valery Gergiev, Alexander Sladkovsky, Roberto Beltrán-Zavala, Eduard Topchjan, Dimitris Botinis, Piotr Gribanov, Tigran Hakhnazaryan, Ruth Reinhardt, Anatoly Levin, Ilmar Lapinsh, and others.

At the XVIII International Chopin Competition in Warsaw Eva Gevorgyan was the youngest finalist. Evgeny Kissin chose Eva Gevorgyan as a scholar of the 2020 Klavierfestival Ruhr. Eva was also an ICMA Discovery Award winner at the 2019 International Classical Music Awards. She is a grand-prix winner of the Russian National Orchestra Competition in 2021. In total, Eva has received awards at more than forty international competitions for piano and composition in the United States, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, and Russia among others, including First Prize at the Cleveland International Piano Competition for Young Artists (incl. special prize for the best interpretation of Bach and Canton Symphony Orchestra Prize), First Prize at the Robert Schumann Piano Competition in Dusseldorf, Second Prize and the Press Award at the Cliburn Junior International Piano Competition, Grand Prix and special prize for best Chopin interpretation at the Chicago International Music Competition, and First Prize at the Jeune Chopin International Piano Competition in Martigny. She has been a laureate and received five special prizes at Moscow’s Grand Piano International Competition. Eva also won First Prizes at the Chopin International Piano Competition for Young Pianists in Szafarnia, Poland, and Portugal’s St. Cecilia International Piano Competition, and won the Grand Prix at the International Piano Competition of Giuliano Pecar in Gorizia, Italy. Eva was awarded the Junior Prize (City Prize) at the Eppan Junior Piano Academy (Italy).

Eva is a Young Yamaha Artist. She received a scholarship from the International Academy of Music in Liechtenstein and participates regularly in the intensive music weeks and activities offered by the Academy. She also holds scholarships from YerazArt Foundation, Foundation Artis Futura, and from the Armenian Assembly.

Eva Gevorgyan was born in April 2004. After studies with Natalia Trull at the Central Music School in Moscow, she joined the Reina Sofia School of Music in Madrid, where she continues to study with Stanislav Ioudenitch. Eva was invited to the International Piano Academy Lake Como, where she participated in masterclasses with Dmitry Bashkirov, Stanislav Ioudenitch and William Nabore. She has also participated in masterclasses with Pavel Gililov, Grigory Gruzman, Piotr Paleczny, Andrea Bonatta and Klaus Hellwig.

Featured Artists

GABRIELA

MONTERO

SUNDAY, JULY 9 | 7:30PM

Reinberger Chamber Hall

Severance Music Center

PROGRAM

Polonaise-Fantaisie in A-flat Major, Op. 61

Carnaval, Op. 9

Intermission

Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)

Robert Schumann (1810-1856)

Piano Sonata (1924) Improvisations

LEARN ABOUT GABRIELA

Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971)

Gabriela Montero

Gabriela Montero’s visionary interpretations and unique compositional gifts have garnered her critical acclaim and a devoted following on the world stage. Anthony Tommasini remarked in The New York Times that “Montero’s playing had everything: crackling rhythmic brio, subtle shadings, steely power…soulful lyricism…unsentimental expressivity.”

Recipient of the prestigious 2018 Heidelberger Frühling Music Prize, Montero’s recent and forthcoming highlights include debuts with the New World Symphony (Michael Tilson Thomas), Yomiuri Nippon Symphony in Tokyo (Aziz Shokhakimov), Orquesta de Valencia (Pablo Heras-Casado), and the Bournemouth Symphony (Carlos Miguel Prieto), the latter of which featured her as Artist-in-Residence for the 2019-2020 season. Montero also recently performed her own “Latin” Concerto with the Orchestra of the Americas at the Hamburg Elbphilharmonie and Edinburgh Festival, as well as at Carnegie Hall and the New World Center with the NYO2. Additional highlights include a planned European tour with the City of Birmingham Symphony and Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla; a second tour with the cutting edge Scottish Ensemble, this time with Montero’s latest composition Babel as the centrerpiece of the programe; her long-awaited return to Warsaw for the Chopin in Europe Festival, marking 23 years since her prize win at the International Chopin Piano Competition; and return invitations to work with Marin Alsop and the Baltimore Symphony, Jaime Martin and the Orquestra de Cadaqués for concerts in Madrid and Barcelona, and Alexander Shelley and the National Arts Centre Orchestra of Canada.

Celebrated for her exceptional musicality and ability to improvise, Montero has performed with many of the world’s leading orchestras to date, including: the Royal Liverpool, Rotterdam, Dresden, Oslo, Vienna Radio, and Netherlands Radio philharmonic orchestras; the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, NDR Sinfonieorchester Hamburg, NDR Radiophilharmonie Hannover, Zürcher Kammerorchester, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, and Australian Chamber Orchestra; the Pittsburgh, Detroit, Houston, Atlanta, Toronto, Baltimore, Vienna, City of Birmingham, Barcelona, Lucerne, and Sydney symphony orchestras; the Belgian National Orchestra, Württembergisches Kammerorchester

A graduate and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music in London, Montero is also a frequent recitalist and chamber musician, having given concerts at such distinguished venues as the Wigmore Hall, Kennedy Center, Vienna Konzerthaus, Berlin Philharmonie, Frankfurt Alte Oper, Cologne Philharmonie, Leipzig Gewandhaus, Munich Herkulessaal, Sydney Opera House, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Luxembourg Philharmonie, Lisbon Gulbenkian Museum, Manchester Bridgewater Hall, Seoul’s LG Arts Centre, Hong Kong City Hall, the National Concert Hall in Taipei, and at the Barbican’s ‘Sound Unbound’, Edinburgh, Salzburg, SettembreMusica in Milan and Turin, Lucerne, Ravinia, Gstaad, Saint-Denis, Violon sur le Sable, Aldeburgh, Cheltenham, Rheingau, Ruhr, Trondheim, Bergen, and Lugano festivals.

Montero is also an award-winning and bestselling recording artist. Her most recent album, released in autumn 2019 on the Orchid Classics label, features her own “Latin” Concerto and Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major, recorded with the Orchestra of the Americas in Frutillar, Chile. Her previous recording on Orchid Classics features Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2 and her first orchestral composition, Ex Patria, winning Montero her first Latin Grammy® for Best Classical Album (Mejor Álbum de Música Clásica). Others include Bach and Beyond, which held the top spot on the Billboard Classical Charts for several months and garnered her two Echo Klassik Awards: the 2006 Keyboard Instrumentalist of the Year and 2007 Award for Classical Music without Borders. In 2008, she also received a Grammy® nomination for her album Baroque, and in 2010 she released Solatino, a recording inspired by her Venezuelan homeland and devoted to works by Latin American composers.

Montero made her formal debut as a composer with Ex Patria, a tone poem designed to illustrate and protest Venezuela’s descent into lawlessness, corruption, and violence. The piece was premiered in 2011 by the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Montero’s first full-length composition, Piano Concerto No. 1, the “Latin“ Concerto, was first performed at the Leipzig Gewandhaus with the MDR Sinfonieorchester and Kristjan Järvi, and subsequently recorded and filmed with the Orchestra of the Americas for the ARTE Konzert channel.

Winner of the 4th International Beethoven Award, Montero is a committed advocate for human rights, whose voice regularly reaches beyond the concert hall. She was named an Honorary Consul by Amnesty International in 2015, and recognized with Outstanding Work in the Field of Human Rights by the Human Rights Foundation for her ongoing commitment to human rights advocacy in Venezuela. She was invited to participate in the 2013 Women of the World Festival at London’s Southbank Centre, and has spoken and performed twice at the World Economic Forum in Davos-Klosters. She was also awarded the 2012 Rockefeller Award for her contribution to the arts and was a featured performer at Barack Obama’s 2008 Presidential Inauguration.

Born in Venezuela, Montero started her piano studies at age four with Lyl Tiempo, making her concerto debut at age eight in her hometown of Caracas. This led to a scholarship from the government to study privately in the USA and then at the Royal Academy of Music in London with Hamish Milne.

Featured Artists of

YUN-TING LEE, VIOLIN

Taiwanese-American violinist Yun-Ting Lee joined the second violin section of The Cleveland Orchestra in 2013. He completed his Bachelor and Master degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where his principal teachers were David Cerone, William Preucil, and David Updegraff. He has also studied with Dr. Phyllis Skoldberg and Ming-De Zhang.

Yun-Ting has appeared as soloist with Spoleto Festival USA, Music Academy of the West, Cleveland Institute of Music, National Repertory, and Phoenix Symphony orchestras. A dedicated chamber musician, Mr. Lee received the Dr. Bennett Levine Memorial Award in Chamber Music from CIM. Yun-Ting has collaborated with Orion Weiss, Lyrica Baroque Ensemble, members of the Juilliard, Cavani, Verona, and Tokyo String Quartets.

Yun-Ting has performed with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the San Diego symphony, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. He is an alumnus of the New York String Orchestra Seminar, the Holland International Music Sessions, Encore School for Strings, and the Pacific Music Festival.

Members of The Cleveland Orchestra will collaborate with our Finalists for their Chamber Round performance on Thursday, July 13.

MARTHA BALDWIN, CELLO

A native of Calgary, Canada, Martha Baldwin has been a member of the cello section of The Cleveland Orchestra since 2001. Martha is a graduate of Rice University where she studied with Desmond Hoebig, and the Cleveland Institute of Music where she was a student of Stephen Geber. She has also spent time studying with Harvey Shapiro, Aldo Parisot, and Paul Katz. Martha has been broadcast nationally on NPR and CBC radio and has appeared as a soloist with a number of orchestras including the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Columbia Symphony, Canton Symphony, and National Repertory Orchestra.

A passionate educator, Martha serves as an artist/educator for The Cleveland Orchestra where she helps create programs and concert experiences for students and families of all ages. She was a long time member of the preparatory string faculty at the Cleveland Institute of Music where she served as String Department Chair for 5 years. Her students have been accepted to top conservatories and music programs including Curtis, The Juilliard School, Eastman, McGill University, Northwestern University, New England Conservatory, Rice University, Tanglewood, and the Aspen School of Music. She is regularly invited to teach in Canada and the U.S. at conservatories and summer festivals such as the C.I.M. International Academy, Mount Royal University Conservatory of Music, and the Cincinnati Young Artists at the University of Cincinnati College/Conservatory. Martha plays on a cello by Eugene Holtier of North Ridgeville, OH.

The Cleveland Orchestra

JESSICA LEE, VIOLIN

Violinist Jessica Lee has built a multi-faceted career as soloist, chamber musician, and now as Assistant Concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra since 2016. She was the Grand Prize Winner of the 2005 Concert Artists Guild International Competition and has been hailed as “a soloist which one should make a special effort to hear, wherever she plays”. Her international appearances include solo performances with the Plzen Philharmonic, Gangnam Symphony, Malaysia Festival Orchestra, and at the Rudolfinum in Prague. At home, she has appeared with orchestras such as the Houston, Grand Rapids, and Spokane symphonies.

Jessica has performed in recital at venues including Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, Ravinia “Rising Stars”, the Phillips Collection in WashingtonDC, and the Kennedy Center.

A long-time member of the Johannes Quartet as well as of the The Bowers Program (formerly the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Two), Jessica has also toured frequently with ‘Musicians from Marlboro’, including appearances at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Boston’s Gardner Museum, and with the Guarneri Quartet in their farewell season. Her chamber music festival appearances include Bridgehampton, Santa Fe, Seoul Spring, Caramoor, Olympic, and Music@ Menlo. She also put together a six-video chamber music series during the pandemic which was a collaboration between the Cleveland Orchestra and the Cleveland Clinic to bring chamber music from iconic spaces in Cleveland to the greater Cleveland community.

Jessica has always had a passion for teaching and has served on the faculties of Vassar College and Oberlin College, and now is on violin faculty at the Cleveland Institute of Music. She was accepted to the Curtis Institute of Music at age fourteen following studies with Weigang Li, and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree under Robert Mann and Ida Kavafian. She completed her studies for a Master’s Degree at the Juilliard School.

DANE JOHANSEN, CELLO

American cellist Dane Johansen performs throughout the world as a chamber musician and soloist and as a member of The Cleveland Orchestra. Praised for his “brave virtuosity” and “staggering aplomb” (The New York Times, New York Magazine), Dane made his debut under James Levine performing Elliott Carter’s Cello Concerto at Lincoln Center’s celebration of the composer’s centennial. Dane has performed extensively as an Artist of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and has appeared in recital at Carnegie Hall as the first winner of the Leo Ruiz Memorial Award.

More recent engagements include performances of Walton’s Cello Concerto with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and performances with the Jerusalem Symphony and Houston Symphony. Dane walked 600 miles of the famed Camino de Santiago with his cello on his back, performing Bach’s Cello Suites in thirty six concerts along the route. His experience is the subject of the documentary film, Strangers on the Earth, and his recording of Bach’s Cello Suites will be released in 2023.

Prior to joining The Cleveland Orchestra, Dane was a member of the Escher String Quartet, a recipient of the Avery Fischer Career Grant, and a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist. He studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music, the Conservatoire National Superieur de Paris and the Juilliard School where he received the Artist Diploma.

Featured Artists

STEVEN BYESS, CONDUCTOR

Steven Byess is a dynamic and passionate conductor, hailed by critics as “masterful and brilliant,” “creating the epitome of instrumental elegance,” and capturing “the full spirit and vitality of the score perfectly.” Recognized for his musical versatility, multi-faceted presence on the podium, and passion for music education, he is devoted to promoting a life-long love and enthusiasm for music and the arts.

Steven is the music director of the Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra (Oregon), the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra, and the North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra. He conducted the U.S. premiere of Russian violinist Alexander Markov’s Rock Concerto at Carnegie Hall in New York, and was selected by Walt Disney World Entertainment to conduct the 2000 NFL E*TRADE Super Bowl Halftime show, where he performed for a television audience of 88 million fans.

As a passionate advocate for the arts, Steven is sought after for his speeches on the arts, music, and education, and has organized collaborations with numerous choruses, chamber music ensembles, and festivals. He wrote and co-directed a PBS presentation, Count On It!, designed to connect music and mathematics for children grades K-3. Since 2013, he has shared this passion with over 80,000 children around the country as a conductor of the Carnegie Hall Weill Music Institute Link Up orchestral education concerts.

A prolific conductor of opera from grand to contemporary, his performances include Puccini’s La Bohème and a critically acclaimed production of Robert Ward’s The Crucible at the International Vocal Arts Institute in Tel Aviv, Israel; Puccini’s Madama Butterfly with Greensboro Opera; Bizet’s Carmen with Emerald City Opera (Colorado); Copland’s The Tender Land, Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore and The Pirates of Penzance, and a collaboration with composer Ricky Ian Gordon on his opera “27” with Intermountain Opera (Montana); and Weill’s Street Scene and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance with the Eastman School of Music Opera Theatre. Steven has been a guest conductor at the Pine Mountain Music Festival in Michigan for their productions of Le Tragédie de Carmen (Bizet/Brook), a highly acclaimed production of Leonard Bernstein’s Candide, collaborating with the composer’s daughter Jamie Bernstein, and Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte.

Steven is the former associate music director of the Ohio Light Opera where he conducted over 80 productions and 21 commercial recordings, including repertoire ranging from well- to little-known operas and operettas to blockbuster classic American musical theater works.

In addition to over 60 symphonic performances in the 2022-2023 season, Steven will conduct ballet productions of The Nutcracker, Giselle, The Sleeping Beauty, and Appalachian Spring.

CANTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Formed in 1937, the CSO has celebrated 85 years serving the community of Stark County and beyond. Giving its first concert on February 16, 1938 under the direction of Richard Oppenheim the CSO has boasted world-class talent under the direction of many Cleveland Orchestra Assistant Conductors followed by the appointment of long-time Music Director Gerhardt Zimmermann in 1980. Diversity, equity, and inclusion lead the artistic planning process as all MasterWorks programs contain at least one work on each concert by composers undiscovered, under-represented, and up-and-coming, and the Orchestrating Change podcast, which looks at the lack of diversity, equity, and inclusion in classical music and how to create actionable change. Supporting local organizations and talent is important through collaborations such as the Divergent Sound Series, which features local bands paired with musicians from the orchestra performing all original music.

Educational programming serves young audiences through free Young People’s Concerts, SymphonyLand, and Kinder Concerts each year. The Canton Youth Symphonies programs educate young musicians from over six surrounding counties and the Lighthouse Ministries Strings Program provides string training for free to students in southeast Canton. The Composer Fellowship program commissions a new work to be performed by the Advanced Youth Orchestra and the Artist in Residence Program identifies a local artist or group to create a classical music-related project.

Now completing its 85th Season, the Canton Symphony is a fully professional ensemble, and all of its members are members of the American Federation of Musicians. Their wages and working conditions are governed by a contract negotiated with Local 111 of the American Federation of Musicians.

music

Expanding

The playing was refined, alert and sensitive…BlueWater trademarks.

— CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER | CLEVELAND.COM

BlueWater Chamber Orchestra is a jewel in the local arts scene’s crown.

— CLEVELANDCLASSICAL.COM

the boundaries of what a chamber orchestra can be.

Daniel Meyer, Artistic Director and Conductor

IN TUNE WITH CLE

Cleveland-Cliffs looks forward to the spectacular performances of the best and brightest young musicians in this year’s competition. We salute Piano CLE for its continuing dedication to shaping the musicial landscape of tomorrow.

Proud Sponsor of Cleveland International Piano Competition and Institute for Young Artists 2023

The Competition

How the Competition Works

As one of the top competitions in the world for young pianists, the CIPC for Young Artists presents the highest-level international artists ages 11-18. This competition has helped launch the career of many of today’s rising stars, including the most recent winner of The Cliburn, Yunchan Lim (2018 CIPC for Young Artist Second Prize Winner, Junior Division), who has taken the world by storm!

Here’s what their road has been like so far

First Round

32 contestants from 9 countries and regions

Each contestant recorded a First Round performance at one of our partner Steinway galleries and affiliates worldwide. From Beijing to Seoul, London to Hamburg, and New York to Cleveland, each venue provided the highest quality pianos and technicians to ensure equity across all locations, led by our Head of Production, Mark Dumm.

Selection

213 applicants from 27 countries and regions

In December and January, our Screening Jury reviewed over 100 hours of performances, reading every impressive CV and recommendation from leading international faculty. From this recordbreaking pool of applicants, they selected the top 16 pianists for each age group (Junior 11-14 and Senior 15-18).

Final Round

6 contestants from (?) countries and regions

From these broadcasted First Round performances, our CIPC for Young Artists Jury selects the top three pianists in each age group to come to Cleveland for the Final Round in July.

The Final Round will have two parts: a Chamber Round with members of The Cleveland Orchestra, and a Concerto Round with the Canton Symphony Orchestra led by Maestro Steven Byess, culminating in crowning the winners of the CIPC for Young Artists.

Finalists will also be in Cleveland to perform free community concerts and work alongside professional musicians in a training capacity, gaining crucial skills needed for their future careers as artists.

Venue Partners

First Round performances were recorded in March 2023 at one of the following locations. We are grateful to our partners at Steinway & Sons for offering their beautiful spaces and pianos for the Competition!

The Competition Previous Winners

2012

WINNERS

SENIOR DIVISION

FIRST PRIZE

ARIANNA KÖRTING

SECOND PRIZE

ALBERT WANG

THIRD PRIZE

TRENTON TAKAKI

JUNIOR DIVISION

FIRST PRIZE

VANESSA MEILING

HAYNES

SECOND PRIZE

JARRETT TAKAKI

THIRD PRIZE

SEOYUN BAEK

2010 CIPC FOR YOUNG ARTISTS WINNERS

FIRST PRIZE IRIS JANG

SECOND PRIZE

ARTHUR ERLENDSSON

THIRD PRIZE

ARIANNA KÖRTING

2008 CIPC FOR YOUNG ARTISTS WINNERS

THIRD PRIZE MARGRET

ERLENDSDOTTIR

THIRD PRIZE

KEI NIEDRA

THIRD PRIZE

DAVID MAMEDOV

2006 CIPC FOR YOUNG ARTISTS WINNERS

FIRST PRIZE

YEJIN LEE

SECOND PRIZE

YIHAO (HAROLD) WU

THIRD PRIZE

KATRINA CELESTE BOBBS

2004 CIPC FOR YOUNG ARTISTS WINNERS

FIRST PRIZE

STEPHANIE YANG

SECOND PRIZE

PETER LIOU

THIRD PRIZE

KONRAD BINIENDA

2003 CIPC FOR YOUNG ARTISTS WINNERS

FIRST PRIZE

JI-YEON SHIN

SECOND PRIZE

JOYCE OH

THIRD PRIZE

PETER LIOU

First Prize

$10,000 USD

Presented by Robert Conrad

First Prize

$5,000 USD

Presented by Betsy and Tom Wheeler

Prizes

SENIOR DIVISION

Second Prize

$5,000 USD

Presented by Dr. Edward S. Godleski

JUNIOR DIVISION

Second Prize

$2,500 USD

Presented by Diana Wendy

Third Prize

$2,500 USD

Presented by Elaine and Beno Michel MD

Third Prize

$1,500 USD

Presented by Robert Goss, in memory of Margaret (Peg) L. Goss

SPECIAL PRIZES

Presented

Bach Prize

$500 USD

Presented by Iris and Tom Harvie

Beethoven Prize $500 USD

Presented by Linda and James Haynes, in memory of Ludwig van Beethoven

Presented by Lloyd Max Bunker and Anthony Bianchi

Performance Opportunities

Mozart Prize $500 USD

Presented by Ed Alix

In addition to monetary prizes, our Junior and Senior prizewinners will have several unique performance opportunities, including a featured solo performance with North Mississippi Symphony, invited performances as part of the 2024 International Keyboard Odyssiad® and Festival, and the opportunity to be invited back to work with Piano Cleveland.

VISUAL ARTS

THEATER

MUSIC

DANCE

For updates join the Cleveland Israel Arts Connection Facebook group or visit jewishcleveland.org/israelarts

Rules and Regulations

· The signing of the acceptance form constitutes acceptance by the contestant of all rules and regulations. The original English version of these rules governs all interpretations.

· The competition will consist of three separate rounds: preliminary (all applicants); first round (all selected contestants); final round (six contestants- three from each age group).

Preliminary Round

· Candidates aged 11-18 on or after July 16, 2023 are eligible to apply. All application rules found on the electronic application must be followed for consideration.

· Contestants will be divided into two age groups: 11-14 and 15-18. Contestants will only compete with fellow competitors in their age group. Age groups will be determined by the contestants’ age on July 16, 2023.

· Between twelve (12) and sixteen (16) contestants will be accepted to participate in each age group. Their names will be announced to the public in January 2023.

First Round

· First Round Competition performances will be prerecorded due to differences in time zones. During the recording process, contestants are only allowed to play through their performances once.

· Contestants will not be allowed to edit their First Round performances.

· Contestants will be allowed 10 minutes to warm-up before recording their First Round performances at the recording locations.

· Contestants accepted to participate will have to inform Piano Cleveland whether they plan to attend the First Round recording no later than a week after being notified of their acceptance.

· Candidates must assume financial responsibility for travel and stay for the First Round recording at their selected location.

· Contestants who do not advance to the final round may be invited to participate in the CIPC for Young Artists Institute, subject to application review by Piano Cleveland.

Final Round

· The six finalists will receive travel assistance to Cleveland of up to $1,000 each, showing travel receipts.

· While participating in the finals of the competition, all contestants will be provided with housing, meals, practice facilities, and transportation.

· One parent/guardian must travel with a finalist from the junior division; housing and meals will be provided for said parent/guardian. Contestants from the senior division must have a parent/guardian sign a waiver allowing them to travel. Parents/Guardians that would like to accompany a senior contestant may stay in Cleveland at a reduced rate; cost for housing and meals are assumed by the parent/guardian.

Performance

· All works are to be performed from memory and in their entirety, with the following exception: scores are permitted for the chamber music performance.

· Repertoire must be different for each round. Pieces recorded for the preliminary round may be repeated during the first round performance.

· Submitted repertoire is subject to review by competition officials.

· The order of appearance of pianists will be determined by a drawing conducted by competition officials that will be made available for viewing online.

Jury

· Jury members will not make contact with contestants while such contestant is continuing to compete.

· Contestants cannot be current students to any members of the jury. It is preferable that contestants have not had a masterclass with a member of the jury within the past year.

· Any jury member who has taught a contestant within the last five years, or who will teach a contestant in the immediate future, or has a family relationship with a contestant, must abstain from voting on that contestant. Jury members may also waive their vote for personal or professional reasons. All declarations of abstentions will be made the night before the competition begins and will be maintained throughout the competition.

· All ballots will be written and signed without discussion and submitted to the Jury Chairman. The Jury Chairman will review the ballots and then submit them to competition officials for scoring.

· Jury members will not discuss their opinions and decisions regarding proceedings, marks, or rankings outside the jury room.

· In the event of a tie, another vote will be held for the tied competitors.

· Jury members will vote at the end of the first round and the final round. For the vote following the first round, each of the jurors will submit their top six (6) contestants in order to advance to the next round. The competitors who receive the most votes from the jury will advance to the next round.

· To select the prizes, the members of the jury will rank the contestants in order of whom they prefer to be awarded each prize. Should none of the competitors attain a majority of votes, then a further ballot will be held to decide between the competitors with the most votes.

· The decision of the jury is final and not subject to questions, revisions, or appeal.

General

· The names of the candidates for the first and final rounds will be announced to the public in performance order without regard to rank. After the final round is completed, the names of the finalists will be announced in order of rank.

· All announced prizes will be awarded.

· Prizes may be subject to U.S. income tax laws.

· Piano Cleveland holds the right to broadcast all rounds of the competition, except for the preliminary round.

· If any unexpected situations arise in the execution of these guidelines, the Jury Chairman, the Chair of the Board of Directors, and the President will resolve such situations.

Required Repertoire

FIRST ROUND

Junior Division

15-20 minutes

Movement from any classical sonata

Romantic work

Remaining time is candidate’s choice of repertoire, if time allows.

FIRST ROUND

Senior Division

25-30 minutes

Full classical sonata by Beethoven, Haydn or Mozart

Piece by Brahms, Chopin, Schubert or R. Schumann

Remaining time is candidate’s choice of repertoire, if time allows.

FINAL ROUND - JUNIOR AND SENIOR DIVISIONS

Chamber Music

Piano Trios: 1-2 movements with approx. length up to 12 mins

BEETHOVEN

Trio in E-flat Major, Op. 1 No. 1 (1st or 4th movement)

Piano Trio in D Major, Op. 70 No. 1 “Ghost” (any movement)

BRAHMS

Piano Trio No. 1 in B Major, Op. 8 (1st movement)

Piano Trio No. 2 in C Major, Op. 87 (1st movement)

MENDELSSOHN

Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49 (1st, 2nd, or 4th movement)

Piano Trio No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 66 (1st, 2nd, or 4th movement)

Concerti (First movement only)

BEETHOVEN

Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15

Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 19

Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37

CHOPIN

Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 11

Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 21

GRIEG

Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16

MOZART

Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-flat Major, K. 271

Piano Concerto No. 12 in A Major, K. 414

Piano Concerto No. 17 in G Major, K. 453

Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K. 466

Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467

Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K. 488

Piano Concerto No. 27 in B-flat Major, K. 595

R. SCHUMANN

Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54

EXPERIENCE EXPRESSION

Merging precision & passion. Experience & expression. Artist & audience. One name has been hand-crafting pianos to perfection for perfectionists, by artisans for artists for over 160 years. And making it possible for you to close your eyes & soar.

STEINWAY PIANO GALLERY CLEVELAND

Boston Heights, OH 44236, United States

TEL. 1 800-356-0437

STEINWAY-OHIO.COM

Screening Jury

KATHRYN BROWN

Kathryn Brown has performed around the globe as concerto soloist, recitalist and chamber musician. She performed her New York Recital Debut at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, and has also appeared in concert at New York’s 92nd Street Y. She has been featured on the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series in Chicago, Cleveland’s Severance Hall as well as the German Embassy, the Philips Collection, and the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. International highlights include concerts at Prague’s Rudolfinum Hall, the University of London, and the National Theatre in Ghana, Africa. She has appeared on Columbia Artists’ Community Concert Series and performed an extensive tour of Sweden, Africa and Estonia as winner of the United States Information Agency (USIA) Artistic Ambassadour Program.

Kathryn Brown has also performed extensively as a chamber musician. Pianist and co-founder of the Myriad Chamber Players, a 17 member ensemble comprised of musicians of The Cleveland Orchestra and international soloists, Ms. Brown’s chamber music credits also include performances at the Marlboro Music Festival in collaborations with members of the Guarneri String Quartet and Beaux Arts Trio. She has also performed with members of the Lincoln Center Chamber Players, The Verdehr Trio and was featured with Dmitri Ashkenazy on Ravinia’s Rising Stars series. Brown also performed at Carnegie Hall with The Cleveland Orchestra as orchestral keyboardist under the baton of Christoph von Dohnanyi. She has been featured on the British Broadcasting Network, the PBS Artistry of... series, Chicago’s WFMT Radio, and NPR’s Performance Today.

An accomplished singer and recitalist, Kathryn Brown’s performance highlights include premieres at Severance Hall with The Cleveland Orchestra, as well as feature roles at the Aspen Music Festival and Tanglewood Music Center.

Kathryn Brown currently serves as Head of Piano Department and Keyboard Division at The Cleveland Institute of Music.

EMANUELA FRISCIONI

Emanuela Friscioni was born in Cantu’, Italy, where she started studying piano at the age of five. She obtained her Diploma in Piano Performance in 1997 at the “Giuseppe Verdi” Conservatory in Milan, with full marks, and then went on to study with famous professor Annamaria Pennella in Naples, Italy. Important musicians such as Paul Badura-Skoda, Aldo Ciccolini, and Bruno Canino have also provided guidance in her formative years.

After her debut recital at the prestigious “Carducci Society” in Como, music critic Maria Terraneo wrote: “Emanuela Friscioni’s depth reaches the true essence of expression and musical meaning.”

Since then, Emanuela appeared as soloist with orchestras in Italy and abroad, performing both traditional and contemporary repertoire. Notable performances took place in Italy (Milano, Roma, Como), Switzerland (Lugano), England, and France (Paris-Salle Cortot). In the US, she made her debut with a recital in Cleveland, Ohio, where she performed both solo and chamber music repertoire with The Cleveland Orchestra violinist Gino Raffaelli. This was followed by numerous appearances with The Cleveland Pops Orchestra at Severance Hall, the Canton Symphony, the Cleveland Women’s Orchestra, the Tupelo Symphony, the Lakeside Symphony, and the National Repertory Orchestra among others. Notable performances also include the South Shore Music Festival in Westport, CT, the Nevada Chamber Music Festival in Reno, the Music in the Mountains festival in Durango, CO, the North East Ohio Keyboard Festival (Universities of Youngstown and Akron), live performances on WGBH Radio in Boston, as well as numerous recitals throughout the US.

As a chamber musician, Emanuela played in various ensembles with members of The Cleveland Orchestra, and other esteemed musicians. She regularly performs with her husband, pianist Antonio Pompa-Baldi. Their four-hand and two-piano recitals have gained them many accolades, and wonderful reviews. Their recordings are regularly heard on radios throughout the country and beyond.

In addition to her performing career, Emanuela is an accomplished professor of piano. Still in her teens, she built a private studio in Italy, with many of her pupils winning prizes and scholarships. After moving to the United States, Emanuela was on the piano faculty of the Cleveland Institute of Music for 15 years. She is currently Director of the Creative Arts Academy at Cuyahoga Community College, where she creates, nurtures and manages orchestra, jazz, choir, photography, and dance programs with well over a thousand students. She is also the founder and artistic director of the Tri-C Piano Series.

Emanuela is a Steinway Artist.

Screening Jury

YARON KOHLBERG

Steinway Artist Yaron Kohlberg, born in Jerusalem, is among today’s top Israeli pianists. He is the President of Piano Cleveland, presenter of the Cleveland International Piano Competition, in which he was the silver medalist in 2007.

Kohlberg played in major halls in forty countries over five continents and has won over ten international prizes. His performances won critical acclaim. Kohlberg speaks six languages, including Mandarin Chinese, and uses them often during his performances worldwide. He has performed as soloist at the Carnegie Hall in New York, the Kremlin in Moscow, the UN Hall in Geneva, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Asahi hall in Tokyo, the Beethovenhalle in Bonn, the hall of the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Melbourne Recital Center, Teatro Coliseo in Buenos Aires, Residenz in Munich, Shanghai Symphony Concert Hall, Mann Auditorium in Tel Aviv, Phillipsaal in The Hague, Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, Salle Cortot in Paris, the Bellas Artes in Mexico City and elsewhere. He has also played in the Israel parliament (Knesset) and the residence of the Israeli president. His performances have been broadcast on major TV stations in China, Korea, Japan and Holland.

International piano competitions in which Kohlberg won top prizes include the Cleveland International Piano Competition (2007), The International Parnassos Competition in Monterrey (Mexico), the Shostakovich Competition (Hanover), The International Grieg Competition in Oslo, The International Competition in Andorra, the Top of the World Competition in Tromso (Norway), and the Tivoli Competition (Denmark). He won the young artist and Clairmont competitions in Israel and received various additional awards. Kohlberg appeared as soloist with numerous orchestras, including The Cleveland orchestra, the Copenhagen philharmonic orchestra, the Beijing symphony orchestra, the Oslo radio orchestra and the Palermo Orchestra in Italy. He also played with all the leading Israeli orchestras, including The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, The Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, Israel Camerata, Haifa Symphony Orchestra, Tel Aviv Soloist Ensemble and others.

In recent years Kohlberg has teamed up with his friend Bishara Haroni to form the highly successful Duo Amal piano duo. He also cooperates regularly with top musicians and ensembles around the globe. Kohlberg holds a graduate degree (with distinction) from the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music of Tel Aviv University and is a student of the late Luisa Yoffe as well as Eitan Globerson and Arie Vardi. He served on juries of international competitions in the US, China, Spain, Portugal, Taiwan, Singapore, Mexico and Israel. In some of his concerts he combines classical music with new arrangements of popular and world music. As President of Piano Cleveland, he creates original programming to engages audiences with classical music. His articles about the subject have been published in various international publications, such as International Piano Magazine, Musical America, Pianist Magazine, WFIMC publicity and GetClassical in NYC.

SPENCER MYER

American pianist Spencer Myer is one of the most respected artists on today’s concert stage. He has been a soloist with The Cleveland Orchestra, the Indianapolis Symphony and the Johannesburg Philharmonic, and has made two solo appearances at London’s Wigmore Hall. He is the winner of the First Prize in the 2008 New Orleans and 2004 UNISA (South Africa) International Piano Competitions, as well as the American Pianists Association’s 2006 Classical Fellowship.

After previously serving on the piano faculty of Boston’s Longy School of Music, he is now Associate Professor of Piano at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. He has released four CDs on the Steinway & Sons label, including Piano Rags of William Bolcom and three CDs with cellist Brian Thornton, encompassing repertoire of Brahms, Debussy and Schumann.

PAUL SCHENLY

Winner of the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant, pianist Paul Schenly has been a soloist with major United States orchestras, including the Atlanta Symphony, The Cleveland Orchestra, Chicago Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony and New York Philharmonic. Born in Munich, Mr. Schenly lived in South America before coming to the U.S. at age five. Mr. Schenly has served on the juries of several national and international competitions and is on the advisory board of the American Pianists Foundation and on the nominating committee for the Gilmore Piano Foundation. He has recorded for Sine Qua Non and RCA. Mr. Schenly is artistic director of the Cleveland International Piano Competition and Founder/Director of Pianofest in the Hamptons.

CIPC for Young Artists Jury

RAN DANK

Technically dazzling and intellectually probing artistry exemplify Ran Dank‘s pianism and musicality—captivating audiences and critics alike.

A prolific soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician, Mr. Dank’s recent performances have included recitals at the San Francisco Performances Series, Gilmore, Ravinia, Carnegie Hall’s Zankel and Weill Halls, Steinway Hall, Gardner Museum, Kennedy Center, Town Hall, Yale School of Music, Library of Congress, Philips Collection, Morgan Library, Pro Musica in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, Portland Ovations, and have garnered critical acclaim from the New York Times and The Washington Post. Mr. Dank has performed as a soloist with the orchestras of Cleveland, Sydney, St. Luke’s, Portland, Eugene, Toledo, Hawaii, Kansas City, Vermont, Charleston, Jerusalem, Valencia, Phoenix, Hilton Head, among others, working under the batons such as Michael Stern, Jahja Ling, Michael Christie, Kirill Karabits, Jun Märkl, Pinchas Zukerman, Jorge Mester, Jaime Laredo, and Ken-David Masur. His chamber music festival appearances have included Santa Fe, Seattle, Chanel in Tokyo, Great Lakes, Bridgehampton, Cooperstown, Mänttä, Bowdoin, Maverick, Skaneateles, and Montreal, and he has collaborated with luminaries of the field such as Paul Watkins, Augustin Hadelich, Eugene Drucker, Jaime Laredo, Sharon Robinson, James Ehnes, and The Orion, Shanghai, Takács, and Dover String Quartets. Mr. Dank’s recent performance of the monumental set of variations “The People United Will Never Be Defeated!” at the University of Chicago has been selected as one of the top ten performances of 2017 by the Chicago Classical Review.

Mr. Dank is an ardent advocate for contemporary music, and has performed in recent seasons Kevin Puts’ piano concerto “Night,” the Tobias Picker concerto, “Keys to the City,” Frederic Rzewski’s “The People United Will Never Be Defeated,” William Bolcom’s Pulitzer-winning set of “Twelve New Etudes,” and has given, alongside pianist and wife, Soyeon Kate Lee, the world premieres of Frederic Rzewski’s “Four Hands,” Alexander Goehr’s “Seven Impromptus” and Marc-André Hamelin’s “Tango” for piano four-hands.

Ran Dank is the Co-Artistic Director and Founder of Music by the Glass, a concert series held in a New York SoHo art gallery, dedicated to bringing together young professionals in NYC.

Mr. Dank has received his Bachelors of Music the from Tel-Aviv University, his Masters of Music and Artist Diploma from the Juilliard School, and his Doctorate of Music from the Graduate Center in CUNY. His teachers and mentors include Emanuel Ax, Joseph Kalichstein, Robert McDonald, Richard Goode, and Ursula Oppens. He is the recipient of numerous honors, including prizes in the Naumburg, Sydney, Cleveland, and the Hilton Head International Piano Competitions.

He serves as an Assistant Professor of Piano at the University of Cincinnati, College Conservatory of Music and is on the faculty of the Bowdoin International Music Festival.

Ran Dank is generously supported by the Cleveland Israel Arts Connection.

KEVIN KENNER

Recognized as one of the top Chopin interpreters of our time, Kevin Kenner was the top prize winner in the 1990 Chopin Competition in Warsaw, as well as top prizes in the Tchaikovsky Competition and the Terrance Judd Competition, among others.

Born in California, Kenner was introduced early to the classical music traditions of Poland and studied as a teenager with Poland’s eminent professor Ludwik Stefański in Cracow. When he returned to the U.S. he continued his studies with Leon Fleisher at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore and worked with Leonard Bernstein at the Tanglewood Music Center. Following a concert tour with conductor Stanisław Skrowaczewski, who frequently performed and recorded with Artur Rubinstein, described his collaborations with Kenner to be the most sensitive and beautiful he remembered.

He has performed and recorded with violinist Kyung-Wha Chung and concertized with the Tokyo, Escher, Belcea, Mosaiques, Apollon Musagete, Endellion and Vogler Quartets. In addition, he has frequently been invited to appear at the Verbier Festival and Warsaw’s “Chopin and His Europe” Festival.

A distinguished recording artist, Kenner’s interpretations of works by Paderewski and Chopin were each picked as recordings of the month by Grammophone magazine.

Other recordings were heralded by Diapason, Fanfare and Polish National Radio. After teaching for more than a decade as professor at London’s Royal College of Music, Kenner accepted a post at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, where he continues to prepare many young talented pianists for international performance careers.

He has served as juror at the Busoni Competition in Bolzano and at the Chopin International Competition in Warsaw among many others.

CIPC for Young Artists Jury

ALEXANDER KORSANTIA

Alexander Korsantia is one of the leading pianists of our time. A “major artist” (Miami Herald) and a “quiet maverick” (Daily Telegraph), Alexander Korsantia has been praised for a “piano technique where difficulties simply do not exist” (Calgary Sun).

In recent seasons Mr. Korsantia performed with the Stuttgart Philharmonic, Boston Philharmonic and Xiamen Philharmonic, Israel Symphony and Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra. With The Far Cry Chamber Group he played Galina Ustvolskaya’s Piano Concerto in Boston and Tblisi.

Ever since winning the First Prize and Gold Medal at the Artur Rubinstein Piano Master Competition and the First Prize at the Sydney International Piano Competition, Korsantia’s career has taken him to many of the world’s major concert halls, collaborating with renowned conductors such as Christoph Eschenbach, Gianandrea Noseda, Valery Gergiev, and Paavo Järvi, with such orchestras as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Mariinsky Orchestra, Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale della RAI in Turin, Cincinnati Symphony, and Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

Alexander Korsantia is a frequent guest in many of the world’s leading concert series including in Warsaw, Boston, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Vancouver, Calgary, San Francisco, Lodz, St. Petersburg, and Blaibach and at major international festivals in Tanglewood and Verbier. A passionate chamber musician, he has collaborated with other leading soloists such as Vadim Repin, Miriam Fried, Kim Kashkashian, Sergei Nakariakov and the Stradivari Quartet. His award-winning recordings include works by Beethoven, Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff, and Copland. In 2020 his recording of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 was released to great critical acclaim (with Stuttgart Philharmonic under Dan Ettinger, at German label Hänssler). His solo piano transcription of Ravel’s La valse was published by Sikorski.

Born in Tbilisi, Alexander Korsantia began his musical studies at an early age with his mother, and later became a pupil of Tengiz Amiredjibi, Georgia’s foremost piano instructor. In 1992, he joined the famed piano studio of Alexander Toradze at Indiana University in South Bend, USA. In 1999, then-President Eduard Shevardnadze awarded him the Order of Honor. Mr. Korsantia is a recipient of the Golden Wing award (2015) and Georgia’s National State Prize (1997). Korsantia resides in Boston where he is a Professor of Piano at the New England Conservatory.

JANET LANDRETH

Dr. Janet Landreth, Professor Emerita of Piano and Keyboard Area Coordinator at Colorado State University, is Founder and Executive Director of the International Keyboard Odyssiad® & Festival, U.S.A.

Dr. Landreth combines an active career as an artist-teacher, performer, and administrator with international research and travel. She has lived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where she studied the music of Heitor Villa-Lobos at the Museu Villa Lobos, and in London, England studying Alexander Technique. The recipient of numerous performance awards, she has given recitals and masterclasses and/or presented her research in France, Spain, Brazil, Bolivia, Italy, China, South Korea and the U.S. She has appeared as a guest in the Deià International Music Festival at Son Marroig in Mallorca, Spain, the III International Latin American Piano Music Conference in Cochabamba, Bolivia, and the 1st International Villa-Lobos Conference in Paris, France. Janet studied with Jeanne-Marie Darré and Pierre Barbizet at the Académie Internationale d’Eté in Nice, France; John Perry at the Aspen Music Festival & School; Busoni winner, Aldo Mancinelli at the University of Tulsa; and MTNA President, Cecilia Mae Bryant at the University of Oklahoma. Janet retired as Professor Emerita in 2019 after 44 years of teaching at Colorado State University where she was known as a gifted artist-teacher whose students won numerous competitions and awards, including ten that performed as soloists with the Denver (Colorado) Symphony.

Dr. Landreth was inducted into the Steinway & Sons Teacher Hall of Fame in New York City in October of 2019, and in December of 2019 she performed the Rachmaninov 2nd Piano Concerto with the Changwon Philharmonic Orchestra in Changwon, South Korea. 2022 marks the 11th Anniversary of the International Keyboard Odyssiad® & Festival, U.S.A., which she founded in 2011. The Odyssiad®: “A Journey to the Performance of a Lifetime.

CIPC for Young Artists Jury

VANESSA LATARCHE

After studying at the Royal College of Music and completing her training in the USA and Paris, Vanessa Latarche was awarded many scholarships and prizes from international competitions.

Vanessa Latarche’s concert career has taken her to Europe, the USA and the Far East, as well as many festivals within the UK, including Cheltenham, Harrogate and Huddersfield. Her interest in Bach led to a performance of the complete 48 Preludes and Fugues at the Lichfield International Festival in 1992, the performances being given over four consecutive evenings. She has performed as a soloist with international orchestras and those in the UK including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, and BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra, working with many leading conductors. She is a Steinway Artist.

She has broadcast for over 30 years for BBC Radio 3 and has also broadcast extensively on the BBC World Service and BBC Radio 4. She has been a juror for international competitions in China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Serbia, Italy, New Zealand, and Hong Kong and has adjudicated the national keyboard final of the BBC Young Musician of the Year, which was broadcast on BBC television. In 2007 she was an advisor to the BBC TV programme ‘Classical Star’. Vanessa frequently travels to give masterclasses, to such institutions as Moscow Tchaikovsky State Conservatory, Hong Kong Academy for the Performing Arts, Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Beijing Central Conservatory, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore, Tokyo College of Music, Seoul National University as well as to other UK conservatoires and specialist music schools. She is an advisor to Lang Lang’s music school, Lang Lang Music World, in Shenzhen, China.

Since September 2005, Vanessa has been Head of Keyboard at the Royal College of Music, having been previously a professor of piano at the Royal Academy of Music for 14 years, where she was made an Honorary Associate in 1997.

A renowned pedagogue, with many international piano competition prize-winners amongst her students, Vanessa was made a Fellow of the Royal College of Music, for outstanding services to music, an honour conferred on her by HRH Prince of Wales in May 2010. In September 2011, she was granted a Personal Chair at the RCM, which gave her the title of Chair of International Keyboard Studies. In 2017, as an extension to her keyboard faculty work, Vanessa was made the Associate Director for Partnerships in China, which involves managing the RCM’s collaborative work in China.

YONG HI MOON

Accomplished pianist and teacher Yong Hi Moon made her solo debut with the Seoul Philharmonic at age 10 as winner of the National Korean Broadcasting Competition. Ms. Moon has won top prizes in the Elena-Rombro Stepanow Competition in Vienna, the Viotti International Competition in Vercelli, Italy, the Vienna da Motta Competition in Lisbon, Portugal, and also received the Chopin Prize from the Geneva International Competition in Switzerland.

Ms. Moon performs extensively throughout Asia, Europe and the US as recitalist and soloist, having appeared with the Korean National Symphony and the Osaka, Seoul, and Tokyo Philharmonics.

To celebrate Mozart’s bicentennial year in 1991, she participated in a cycle of the composer’s complete piano concerti with the Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1997, Ms. Moon undertook the complete solo piano works of Schubert, performing them in six recitals in both Korea and the US. The summer of 2000 marked her first extensive concert tour of Korea, which included solo recitals in five cities.

In addition, she performed with all the major orchestras in Korea and participates regularly in such summer festivals as Bowdoin International Music Festival and the Art of Piano in Cincinnati among others.

Ms. Moon is in high demand as a guest masterclass teacher and adjudicator. In 1993, she released a popular teaching video in Korea entitled Artistic Piano Playing. In addition, she is a frequent visitor to Beijing where she regularly gives masterclasses at the China Conservatory as well as the Middle School of the Central Conservatory.

She has served on the juries of the CCC Toronto International Piano Competition, Senigallia International Piano Competition in Italy, Gilmore International Piano Competition, Gina Bachauer International Competition, the Virginia Waring International as well as numerous MTNA competitions throughout the US. She has also served as a screening judge in the William Kapell and the Hilton Head International Competition. In March of 2014, she chaired the jury at Seoul International Piano Competition.

Ms. Moon was a Professor of Piano at Michigan State University School of Music for fifteen years, and since 2002 she has been a Professor of Piano at Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University.

Ms. Moon studied at the Vienna Academy, graduating with the highest honors. She continued her studies in London before pursuing an Artist Diploma at Indiana University in Bloomington. Her major teachers include Dieter Weber, Maria Curcio, György Sebok, Leon Fleisher, Wilhelm Kempff and Fou T’song, who have always been inspirations in her work.

CIPC for Young Artists Jury

ROBERT SHANNON

As a performer, educator, and recording artist, pianist Robert Shannon has traveled across the world performing and teaching a diverse repertoire ranging from Bach to John Adams. A double-degree alumnus of Oberlin, Shannon earned a Master of Music at the Juilliard School. He has studied with Klaus Goetze, Arthur Dann, Jack Radunsky, Ania Dorfmann, Dorothy Taubman, and Vladimir Ashkenazy.

In recent seasons, he has appeared in Beijing, London, Hamburg, New York, San Francisco, and Caracas. His numerous performances and recordings on the Bridge label of 20th- and 21st-century composers such as George Crumb, Carla Bley, and John Harbison have been met with critical praise, particularly his penetrating interpretations of such American composers as Charles Ives.

He has appeared at the Grand Teton, Tibor Varga, and Sacramento American Music festivals; as a guest artist with the Chicago Contemporary Chamber Players; and in duo recitals with his wife, Haewon Song, who also is a piano professor at Oberlin Conservatory. He is the founder and director of the Cooper International Competition at Oberlin, an important international youth competition by virtue of the participation of The Cleveland Orchestra.

“JUST WHAT THE WEARY WORLD NEEDS NOW” “JUST WHAT THE WEARY WORLD NEEDS NOW”

Calfee, Halter & Griswold is proud to support Piano Cleveland and the 2023 Clair de Lune Gala!

For 120 years, Calfee attorneys have provided sound legal counsel to support individual, family, and business clients’ growth objectives while also supporting organizations committed to promoting arts and culture in our local communities. Community support and service are an integral part of our history — and our future.

All programs and artists are subject to change without notice

Announcing the Cleveland Pops Orchestra 2023/2024 Season!

Call to purchase tickets: 216.765.7677

Ask about our Subscription Packages!

A Night in Hollywood

Sat , 10/21/23 - 8pm - Severance

Music from your favorite blockbuster movies including Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Titanic and more.

Holiday Cheer!

Sun., 11/26/23 - 2pm - Connor Palace

Making spirits bright with this annual concert featuring the Pops Chorus, Dancing Santas, adoptable shelter pets and more holiday magic!

A Tribute to the Beatles

Sat., 2/3/24 - 8pm - Severance

Celebrating 60 years of the Beatles! Hear music from the early days through the solo years performed by the Pops and Classical Mystery Tour, four musicians who sound and look just like the Beatles.

A Mediterranean Cruise

Sat., 11/18/23 - 8pm - Severance

A stay-cation with the Pops! Enjoy the enchanting sounds of France, Italy, Spain, and Greece with French songstress Gay Marshall.

New Years Eve: Concert & Party

Sun., 12/31/23 - 9pm - Severance

End 2023 with song and dance. After the concert, enjoy a cash bar as you dance the night (and year!) away and count down to the midnight balloon drop.

Champagne & Shamrocks

Fri., 3/1/24 - 8pm - Severance

Kick off March with the songs and dances of Ireland featuring Cleveland’s own Murphy’s Irish Dancers and vocalist Connor Bogart O’Brien.

Broadway Rocks

Fri., 4/12/24 - 8pm - Severance

Shining the spotlight on musical theatre as Broadway vocalists perform selections from shows including Wicked, The Book of Mormon, Hairspray, Rent, The Wiz and more.

A Tribute to our Armed Forces Sat., 6/1/24 - 8pm - Severance For

Saluting our heroes with stirring patriotic music and a special tribute to NASA featuring videos from space flights, furnished by NASA Glenn in Cleveland.

Jones Day proudly supports Piano Cleveland and applauds its vision in presenting innovative programming and international musical excellence that inspires local audiences.

Why Jones Day? Formidable legal talent across specialties and jurisdictions available upon client command.

Contestants

Giulianna Chen is currently an eighth-grade student at Mulgrave School in West Vancouver, BC, Canada. At the age of six, she began to learn to play piano with Ms. Cindy Liu and then with Dr. Sun Sung Kong of KL Piano Academy in North Vancouver, and she has been studying piano with both teachers ever since. At the age of eight, she won the Grand Prize (ages 7-10) at the 60th Canadian Music Competition in Montreal and First Place (Junior Section) at the 2018 Steinway Piano Competition in Vancouver. Her most recent awards include the Gold Award in Junior Group B at the Vancouver International Piano Competition (2022); First Prize in the Second Group (ages 10-12) of the 29th Fryderyk Chopin International Piano Competition for Children and Youth in Szafarnia, Poland (2022); First Prize in the “Piano Talents” category at the 2021 VI Krystian Tkaczewski International Piano Competition; and many more over the past five years from local, national, and international piano competitions. Giulianna also joined a student chamber music group under the guidance of distinguished Professor Taras Gabora as its youngest member. In July 2020, Giulianna performed her Virtual Concert@Home on YouTube during the lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic.

GIULIANNA CHEN

AGE: 13 CANADA

Program

FIRST ROUND

Beethoven Sonata No. 6 in F Major, Op. 10, No. 2

I. Allegro

Chopin Andante spianato et grande polonaise brillante in E-flat Major, Op. 22

FINAL ROUND

Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49

I. Molto allegro agitato

Grieg Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16

I. Allegro molto moderato

Junior Division

Eddison Chen began studying the piano at the age of four and a half. He is a seventh grader at Oxford Middle School in Overland Park, Kansas, and is currently studying with Dr. Steven Spooner (principal teacher) and Sean Chen.

Eddison has won top prizes in many major competitions, including First Prize at the 2019 Chicago International Piano Competition and the Special Jury Discretionary Award of the 2019 Kaufman Music Center International Youth Piano Competition. Despite being only 12 when he competed in the Junior Division, he was named Third Prize Winner of the 2022 MTNA National Piano Competition and Honorable Mention at the University of Minnesota School of Music’s prestigious e-Piano Junior Competition in 2021. He is also the winner of the 2022 KCMTA Junior Concerto Competition, the 2018 Steinway Junior Piano Competition, and Third Prize winner at the 2019 International Young Artist Piano Competition in Washington, D.C.

Aside from piano, Eddison enjoys studying math and playing chess. He was a Finalist of the MATHCOUNTS National Competition in 2022, as well as the 2023 AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Examination) Qualifier. He is also a USCF-rated chess expert. He loves to read books on science and watch BBC Earth and the 3Blue1Brown math channel.

Program

FIRST ROUND

Haydn Sonata in A-flat Major, Hob. XVI:46

I. Allegro moderato

Chopin Nocturne in D-flat Major, Op. 27, No. 2

Liszt Grandes études de Paganini, S. 141, No. 6 Ligeti Études, Book 1, No. 4 (“Fanfares”)

FINAL ROUND

Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49

I. Molto allegro agitato

II. Andante con moto tranquillo

Mozart Concerto No. 27 in B-flat Major, K. 595

I. Allegro

AGE: 13

UNITED STATES

AGE: 14

Contestants

Fourteen-year-old pianist Anwen Deng was born in Brisbane, Australia. She began her piano study at the age of three. At six years old, she was the youngest piano student to be accepted into The Juilliard School’s pre-college program. She is currently studying with Dr. Yoheved Kaplinsky. Anwen is the recipient of top prizes in numerous national and international piano competitions, including First Prize in the 26th Chopin International Piano Competition for Children and Youth in Szafarnia, Poland; Grand Prize in the 9th Chopin International Piano Competition in Hartford, CT; First Prize in the 2018 Steinway & Sons Piano Competition; and First Prize in the 2022 Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Young Artists’ Competition. Anwen has been featured on 7News, ABC’s documentary program “Making Child Prodigies” and NBC’s “Little Big Shots”, among others, for her talent beyond her years.

Anwen has performed several times at the Aspen Music Festival, including a concerto performance under the baton of Arie Vardi. She has also been invited to perform with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra, and the Little Orchestra Society of New York. Additionally, Anwen is studying composition at Juilliard with Dr. Ira Taxin. She has composed over 30 pieces including nocturnes, sonatas, ballades, études, waltzes, a violin suite, a string quartet, a symphony, a piano trio, and a woodwind quartet. Aside from music, Anwen also enjoys singing, dancing, reading, writing, drawing, and calligraphy.

Program

FIRST ROUND

Beethoven Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57 (“Appassionata”)

I. Allegro assai

Chopin Nocturne in F-sharp Minor Op. 48, No. 2

Chopin Étude in A Minor, Op. 25, No. 11 (“Winter Wind”)

FINAL ROUND

Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49

I. Molto allegro agitato

Chopin Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11

I. Allegro maestoso

Junior Division

Ryan Huang is a full scholarship student of The Phil and Eli Taylor Academy under Dr. Michael Berkovsky. Previously, he studied piano with Dr. Olga Chichova beginning at age six. Ryan is enthusiastic about performing on stage. He has already performed with many orchestras including The Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra (Russia), The Wuhan Philharmonic Orchestra (China), The Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra (Canada), and will soon play with a full symphony orchestra in Vienna (Austria) as one of the finalists in the Classicalia, Global Televised Music Competition. Ryan has performed several times in Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall in New York City. In July 2019, he held his first full length solo concert, “Sounds of Summer by Ryan Huang,” at Shanghai Symphony Hall.

Ryan is a top prize winner of many international music competitions, including: First Prize, the XXII “The Nutcracker” International Televised Music Competition in Moscow; First Prize, the Young Euregio Piano Award IPC (Germany); Grand Prize, Steinway & Son Junior Competition; Second Prize, 27th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition for Children and Youth; Third Prize, Jeune Chopin. In addition to piano, Ryan likes violin, math, and language arts. He was admitted by John Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth with Highest Awards for both math and language arts. He has also been a member of Mensa International since age seven. In his leisure time, he likes to play chess and ice hockey.

Program

FIRST ROUND

Haydn Sonata in C Major, Hob. XVI:50

I. Allegro

Rachmaninoff Étude-Tableaux Op. 39, No. 6

Liszt Paraphrase de concert sur Rigoletto, S. 434

FINAL ROUND

Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49

I. Molto allegro agitato

Beethoven Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 19

I. Allegro con brio

RYAN HUANG

AGE: 12

CANADA/UNITED STATES

Bo-Wei Huang

AGE: 12 TAIWAN

Contestants

Bo-Wei Huang currently resides in Taichung, Taiwan. He is a lively and sunny boy, always carrying a cheerful and confident smile. He has been passionate about music since childhood and started learning piano at the age of four. He studied with Prof. I-Chun Chao and is now a student of Prof. Chiao-Han Liao.

He has demonstrated his musical talent in various contests and has won multiple prizes in a variety of piano competitions. In 2022, he won First Prize at the 6th Steinway Youth Piano Competition of Taiwan and the South-East Asia Pacific Regional Finals, and will thus be invited to Hamburg, Germany for the Steinway Music Festival. He has twice won First Prize at the Taiwan National Student Competition of Music Piano Solo.

He loves performing on stage and has performed at many joint concerts including at Wiener Konzerthaus in Vienna, Austria. He also performed with the Taipei Symphony Orchestra in Saint-Saens’ The Carnival of The Animals as Piano Duet I.

As a lover of classical music, he often attends concerts, operas and lectures, all of which have richly informed his piano playing. In recent years he has also begun to compose, in order to turn the melody of his heart into notes. He is instructed in composing by Prof. Wan-Jen Huang. His wish is to share his passion and promote classical music to the world.

Program

FIRST ROUND

Bach Allemande, Courante, Sarabande and Gigue from French Suite No. 6 in E Major, BWV 817

Beethoven Sonata No. 10 in G Major, Op. 14, No. 2

I. Allegro

Chopin Variations Brillantes, Op. 12

FINAL ROUND

Beethoven Piano Trio No. 1 in E-flat Major, Op. 1, No. 1

I. Allegro

Grieg Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16

I. Allegro molto moderato

Junior Division

Qinyaoyao Ji, from China, began her piano studies at the age of three. She was admitted to the Music Middle School affiliated with the Shanghai Conservatory of Music with the highest honors. She currently studies with Dr. Zhe Tang at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.

Qinyayayo has won multiple awards both domestically and internationally. Her recent accomplishments include laureate of Rachmaninov International Youth Piano Competition in 2023, as well as the Special Prize of the Governor of Novgorod Region, First Prize of the 2022 ShenZhen Youth Concerto Competition, First Prize and Grand Jury Prize of the 2022 Shanghai Piano Open Competition, First Prize of 2019 Melbourne International Youth Music Competition, Second Prize at 2018 ClaviCologne International Piano Competition, and First Place in Professional Group A of the Ninth Mendelssohn Piano Competition Asia Pacific Finals.

She has toured the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and other countries, and has performed concertos with the Shenzhen Philharmonic Orchestra, the Cross-Strait Art Youth Symphony Orchestra, and the Xiyu Neoclassical Orchestra. In 2021, she participated in a large-scale outdoor symphony concert commemorating the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party, where she was the leading piano performer.

Program

FIRST ROUND

Mozart Sonata No. 13 in B-flat Major, K. 333

I. Allegro

Schumann Abegg Variations, Op. 1

Rachmaninoff/

Mendelssohn Scherzo from A Midsummer Night’s Dream

FINAL ROUND

Beethoven Piano Trio No. 1 in E-flat Major, Op. 1, No. 1

I. Allegro

Grieg Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16

I. Allegro molto moderato

AGE: 13

CHINA

Chaeryeong Kim

AGE: 11

SOUTH KOREA/UNITED STATES

Contestants

Chaeryeong Kim has been studying piano since the age of seven in Korea. She attended the Young Talented Music Academy at the Daejeon Art Center Korea from 2019 to 2022 and now attends the Amadeus Music and Art Academy at the Amadeus International School Vienna with a prestigious scholarship. She was taught by Prof. Soo-Jung Shin and Han-Sol Noh in Korea and now studies with Adrian Cox and Clara Shin in Austria. She was also admitted to the Course for Gifted Children in the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst (MDW) Wien.

She has earned high awards in many competitions. She won the First Prize at 6th Jenö Takács International Competition in Austria, the Encouragement and Young Talented Awards at 18th Ettlingen International Competition in Germany, and Second Prizes at Ewha & Kyung Hyang Concours Korea. She appeared and performed on many stages in Korea and Austria from 2021 to 2022, including in the Jenö Takács International Competition Winners Concert, 12th Liszt Gala Concert Korea, Haydn Avent, 39th Young Musicians Festival, 6th Daejeon Youth Music Festival, Recital by PoAH Piano Society, and with the Classimo Philharmonic Orchestra. She will debut her first solo recital in Bösendorfer Salon Wien in March 2023.

Program

FIRST ROUND

Beethoven Sonata No. 7 in D Major, Op. 10, No. 3

I. Presto

Chopin Étude in C-sharp Minor, Op. 10, No. 4

Schumann Abegg Variations, Op. 1

Takács Toccata No. 1, Op. 54

FINAL ROUND

Beethoven Piano Trio No. 1 in E-flat Major, Op. 1, No. 1

I. Allegro

Chopin Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 21

I. Maestoso

Junior Division

Yujie Li is an 8th grade student at the Central Music School affiliated with the Moscow Academy of Performing Arts. She started piano lessons with her mother at the age of four and was admitted to the Moscow Central Music School in 2018. She currently studies with Daniil Tsvetkov.

Yujie Li is a laureate of the Clara Schumann International Piano Competition (First Prize, 2017, China); Piano Competition of the 2nd Moscow International Winter Music Festival (First Prize, Moscow, 2019); International Youth Piano Competition

“Noor Muusik” (First Prize, Estonia, 2019); the 17th “Davorin Jenko” International Piano Competition (First Prize, Serbia, 2020); 10th International Piano Competition

“Memorijal” (First Prize, Serbia, 2021); 11th Beethoven Days Festival at the Moscow International Competition in the piano ensemble category (First Prize, Moscow, 2022); and 11th International Multi-Genre Competition named after A. Nemtin for piano (First Prize, Russia, 2022).

Yujie Li has participated in IKOF International Piano Festival (USA, 2018) and has performed with the Estonian National Academic Chamber Orchestra. She has performed in the Grand, Small, and Rachmaninoff Halls of the Tchaikovsky State Conservatory, the Estonian National Concert Hall, the America Colorado Griffin Concert Hall, the Chinese Tianjin Grand Theater, and the Chinese ShengJing Grand Theater.

Program

FIRST ROUND

Beethoven Sonata No. 16 in G Major, Op. 31, No. 1

III. Rondo: Allegretto - presto

Schumann Fantasie in C Major, Op. 17

I. Durchaus fantastisch und leidenschaftlich vorzutragen; Im Legenden-Ton (Quite fantastic and passionately delivered; in the tone of a legend)

Bolcom New Etude, No. 5 (“Butterflies, hummingbirds”)

FINAL ROUND

Beethoven Piano Trio No. 5 in D Major, Op. 70, No. 1 (“Ghost”)

I. Allegro vivace e con brio

Grieg Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16

I. Allegro molto moderato

AGE: 14 CHINA

AGE: 14 CANADA

Contestants

Sophia Shuya Liu was born in Shanghai and currently lives in Montreal, Canada. She has been studying piano with Professor Dang Thai Son since she was nine years old. Sophia began to learn the piano just before turning four years old and began to participate in international competitions at the age of five. She has won prizes in piano competitions such as the Chinese Piano Compositions International Competition in Hangzhou, China, the Canada Music Competition, the Hartford International Chopin Competition and the Philadelphia International Piano Competition in the United States. In 2020, she was the youngest competitor to make the Semi-Final Round of the Gina Bachauer International Junior Competition. In August 2022, she won First Prize in Category A of the 18th Ettlingen Piano Competition in Germany.

She has given many recitals and concerts around the world, including North and South America, Asia and Europe, and has performed with symphony orchestras multiple times, performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 and Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 2. She has also participated in several high-level music festivals and masterclasses and received guidance from many notable pianists such as Gary Graffman, Lydia Artymiw, and Meng-Chieh Liu. She has also been featured on several news channels, including NBC and ABC News in the United States. Sophia speaks English, French and Chinese fluently. In addition to practicing the piano, she also enjoys composing, psychology, mathematics, writing, and visiting art museums.

Program

FIRST ROUND

Mozart Sonata No.9 in D Major, K. 311

I. Allegro con spirito

Chopin Variations on Là ci darem la mano from Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Op. 2

FINAL ROUND

Beethoven Piano Trio No. 5 in D Major, Op. 70, No. 1 (“Ghost”)

I. Allegro vivace e con brio

Chopin Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 11

I. Allegro maestoso

Junior Division

Born in Stavropol, Russia, Elisey Mysin began to study piano at the age of four. He currently studies at the Central Music School in Moscow with Professor Natalia Trull and Professor Daniil Tsvetkov.

Elisey is a prizewinner of several international competitions, such as the Astana Piano Passion International Piano Competition (2017, Kazakhstan); Vladimir Krainev Online International Piano Competition (First Prize, 2020, Moscow); Vladimir Krainev International Piano Competition (First Prize, 2021, Moscow); and 4th Zhuhai International Mozart Competition for Young Musicians (First Prize, 2022, China).

Elisey has performed with orchestras such as the State Academic Svetlanov Symphony Orchestra, National Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, Vladimir Symphony Orchestra, State Symphony Orchestra of Leningrad, and the Russian National Youth Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed in prestigious concert venues such as Tchaikovsky Concert Hall (Moscow), Zaryadye Moscow Concert Hall, Bolshoy Theatre (Moscow), Moscow International House of Music and many others.

He has appeared in prestigious festivals such as Russian Seasons (Italy, 2018); The Amadeus Weekend at the Salzburg Music Festival (Austria, 2018); Classical Young Stars (Austria, 2018); Arturo Michelangeli International Music Festival (Trento, Italy, 2019); Baikal Stars, InClassica International Music Festival (Dubai, UAE, 2021); and Bieszczady bez granic (Sanok, Poland, 2022, main prize of the festival).

In addition, Elisey has participated in masterclasses with Mikhail Voskresensky, Andrzej Yasinsky, and Eugen Indjic. Elisey is a scholarship recipient and an active participant of the Vladimir Spivakov International Charity Foundation, New Names International Charity Foundation and Yamaha Foundation.

Program

FIRST ROUND

Mozart Sonata No. 7 in C Major, K. 309

III. Rondo: Allegretto grazioso

Schumann Selections from Bunte Blätter, Op. 99

Moszkowski/

Volodos Étude Op. 36, No. 6 (“Étincelles”)

FINAL ROUND

Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 66

I. Allegro energico e con fuoco

Mozart Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K. 488

I. Allegro

Elisey Mysin

AGE: 12

RUSSIA

AGE: 12 CHINA

Contestants

Zihao Nan was born in 2010, and began learning piano from several excellent instructors, including Han Han, Zhong Li and Tianyang Wang. He currently studies with Mr. Ruoyu Huang of the Central Conservatory of Music Beijing, China, where he is a student at the Piano Primary School affiliated with the conservatory.

As a young student, Zihao received several prestigious awards, including First Prize in Group B, amateur children Group B of the 17th Xinghai Cup Piano Competition in Beijing (2018) and First Prize of Children’s Group C of the 2021 Singapore International Piano Competition. He built on this success in 2022, winning Second Prize of the Millersville Keyboard Division International Piano Competition (Junior), Second Prize of the Beethoven Young Musician Competition (Junior), and Special Gold Medal for the preliminary competition of professional group A of the 2022 Golden Hall Piano Invitational Competition. Further building on this success in early 2023, he won First Prize of Children’s Open Group of 2023 Singapore International Piano Competition in China and Third Prize of the Professional Group 1 of the Schimmel China Youth Piano Competition.

Program

FIRST ROUND

Liszt

Transcendental Étude, S. 139, No. 5 (“Feux Follets”)

Beethoven Sonata No. 11 in B-flat Major, Op. 22

I. Allegro con brio

Schumann Sonata No. 1 in F-sharp Minor, Op. 11

I. Un poco adagio - Allegro vivace

FINAL ROUND

Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49

I. Molto allegro agitato

IV. Finale

Chopin Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11

I. Allegro maestoso

Junior Division

Yixin Shen is from Shanghai, China and began her piano studies at age five. She began to perform in public soon after and is currently studying with Professor Kuanwen Wang at the Music Middle School affiliated with the Shanghai Conservatory of Music (Elementary Department).

She has won top prizes of several major competitions, including First Prize of 2022 Irvine Conservatory International Music Competition (Piano Category C), Silver Medalist of the 9th GOCAA San Francisco International Music Competition 2022 (Junior Division D), Gold Prize of 2021 St. Petersburg International Music Competition (Junior Class), and First Place of 2019 USMCE Piano Open Competition and Asia -Pacific Division (Junior Class). She was named the “Little Musician of Shanghai” by the Shanghai Children’s Foundation in 2017.

Program

FIRST ROUND

Mozart Sonata No. 12 in F Major, K. 332

I. Allegro

Chopin Étude in A Minor, Op. 25, No. 11 (“Winter Wind”)

Chopin Scherzo No. 2 in B-flat Minor, Op. 31

FINAL ROUND

Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49

I. Molto allegro agitato

Chopin Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 21

I. Maestoso

Yixin Shen

AGE: 12

CHINA

AGE: 13 UNITED STATES

Contestants

Xinran Shi lives in San Jose, California. She began playing piano at four and a half and currently studies with Hans Boepple. Xinran was a 2020-2022 Young Scholar of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation.

Xinran has won top prizes in many national and international competitions, such as the Kaufman Music Center International Youth Piano Competition, the Ettlingen International Piano Competition, the MTAC State Solo/Concerto Competition, the International e-Piano Junior Competition, Aloha International Piano Competition, Chicago International Music Competition, San Jose International Piano Competition, Chopin International Piano Competition in Hartford, CT, the Steinway Piano Competition Regionals and Nationals, Philadelphia International Piano Competition, China Grand Canal Piano Art Festival, and Seattle International Piano Competition, among others.

Xinran has attended various music programs such as Morningside Music Bridge, the PYPA Piano Festival, the Aspen Music Festival and School 2020 Virtual Program, the John Perry Academy Summer Festival, and the Grand Piano Series. She appreciates having had the opportunity to learn from great teachers, musicians, and pianists including Lang Lang, Gary Graffman, Arie Vardi, Antonio Pompa-Baldi, Jerome Lowenthal, Hung-Kuan Chen, Ching-Yun Hu, Kathryn Brown, John Perry, Ruth Slenczynska, and Jay Sun, among others. Besides playing piano, Xinran enjoys dancing, reading, swimming, and traveling.

Program

FIRST ROUND

Beethoven Sonata No. 3 in C Major, Op. 2, No. 3

I. Allegro con brio

Chopin Ballade No. 4 in F Minor, Op. 52

FINAL ROUND

Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49

I. Molto allegro agitato

Chopin Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 11

I. Allegro maestoso

Junior Division

Taige Wang started learning piano at age four and gave his first public performance that same year. Only a year after, he performed in a live masterclass on China Central Television and received regional First Place at China Steinway & Sons International Junior Piano Competition. By seven, he had performed his first solo recital by invitation from Steinway & Sons, Dalian. In the following years, he performed on From the Top as well as part of their 2022 Virtual Gala. Both NPR and Steinway & Sons’ social media have shared his performances several times.

Taige has had various unique performance opportunities, such as a performance at Carnegie Hall Stern Auditorium; collaborating with Maestro David Miller; being featured in the documentary celebrating 30 Years of LA International Liszt Competition; performing at Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. He presented his London solo recital in the presence of HRH The Duke of Kent in November 2022. In 2023, Taige’s solo recitals will be at the American Church in Paris in April; Rudolf Steiner House, London in May; and Palazzo Pitti, Florence in June. He will also perform at Lincoln Center in April.

Taige has received prizes in numerous competitions including First Prize and Best Mendelssohn Prize at the Piano E-Competition; First Prize and Best Concert Étude and Hungarian Rhapsody prizes for all age categories at the LA International Liszt Competition; Grand Prize Winner of Professional Category and Bach Prize at the Chicago International Music Competition. In addition, as the youngest finalist of Rosalyn Tureck International Bach Piano Competition, he received the First Prize at Category II and V, Best Contemporary Award, and Olga Kern Foundation Award.

Taige is also a composer, winning First Place at the Composer Today Contest. He is currently writing a commission for Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society’s Meet the Music. Taige currently studies at The Juilliard School, where he has studied with Yoheved Kaplinsky, William Grant Nabore, and Ariel Yang.

Beyond music, Taige is also enthusiastic about serving the community, receiving the Gold President’s Volunteer Service Award presented by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation. Taige is also a Rubik’s cube expert.

Program

FIRST ROUND

Beethoven Sonata No. 4 in E-flat Major, Op. 7

I. Allegro molto e con brio

Mendelssohn Variations sérieuses, Op. 54

FINAL ROUND

Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49

I. Molto allegro agitato

Mozart Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K. 466

I. Allegro

Taige Wang

AGE: 13

UNITED STATES

AGE: 14 CHINA

Contestants

Zhonghua Wei was born in Guangzhou, China and began his piano studies at the age of five with Chinese-American pianist Jay Pengjie Sun, Piano Department Chair at Xinghai Conservatory Middle School in Guangzhou. He has also studied with Dr. Vivian Li and Professor Qi Li.

Now just 14 years of age, Zhonghua is a carefree yet thoughtful boy who has enthusiastically studied significant titles in the piano repertoire including the 48 Preludes and Fugues of Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier, Mozart’s complete piano sonatas and the complete études of Chopin and Liszt. He has taken numerous prizes at the national level including First Prize at the Pearl River Kayserburg National Piano Competition in 2022, First Prize at the Xinghai Cup in 2020 and Second Prize at the Steinway National Piano Competition in 2019. Most recently, Zhonghua won First Prize and the Peter Takács Classical Sonata Prize at the 2023 Hilton Head International Piano Competition.

In 2017, he was invited to Bad Homburg to perform two separate half recitals, and in 2018 he gave his first solo piano recital at Yamaha Hall in Guangzhou. In 2022, he was accepted to the prestigious Morningside Music Bridge program which he will also attend in 2023. In his spare time, he enjoys watching films, reading books, outdoor recreation and music improvisation.

FIRST ROUND

Bach/Hess Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring from Cantata BWV 147

Mozart Sonata No. 14 in C Minor, K. 457

I. Molto allegro

Brahms Variations on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 35, Book 1

FINAL ROUND

Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 66

I. Allegro energico e con fuoco

Beethoven Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37

I. Allegro con brio

Junior Division

Tian Xia is currently a fifth-grade primary school student at Nantong Chenzhong Primary School, where he is part of the Institute of Music Elites in Nanjing, China. Tian started playing piano at age five with Professor Xiaohong Wang from the Art Academy of Nantong University, and now studies with Mr. Lin Ye, who holds an Artist Diploma from the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Tian’s past awards included the Gold Prize of 2018 Jiangsu Jasmine Piano Competition, the First Prize of 2019 Steinway Piano Competition Eastern China Final, Second Prize of 2021 Pearl River Kayserburg Competition, top 12 finalist of 4th Lang Lang Shenzhen Cup International Piano Competition and First Prize of 2022 Xiamen International Piano Open Competition.

Tian Xia has also held recitals in Nanjing Poly Grand Theatre, and Nantong GengSu Theatre. Tian

Program

FIRST ROUND

Liszt Étude de Concert, S. 145, No. 2 (“Gnomenreigen”)

Beethoven Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 2, No. 1

I. Allegro

Glinka Variations on Alyabyev’s Romance The Nightingale

Chopin Nocturne in C-sharp Minor, Op. posth.

FINAL ROUND

Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49

I. Molto allegro agitato

Mozart Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K. 488

I. Allegro

AGE: 11

Contestants

Yanyan Bao displayed artistic sensitivity from her earliest years and began piano lessons at the tender age of four. Her early musical precocity led her to begin more disciplined studies at the age of seven with Chinese-American pianist Jay Pengjie Sun, Piano Department Chair at Xinghai Conservatory Middle School in Guangzhou. After being admitted into the Xinghai Conservatory Middle School at age 11 with an outstanding ranking, Yanyan continued her piano study with Professor Sun’s wife, Dr. Vivian Li, Chinese-Canadian pianist and Professor of Piano at Xinghai Conservatory.

Since then, Yanyan has emerged as one of the most promising young pianists in China. Now 16 years of age, Yanyan is already a veteran of the concert stage, having presented solo recitals in numerous cities in China, Italy, and Germany. Yanyan has also selectively taken part in music competitions with prizes including Third Prize at the Zhuhai Mozart Youth International Piano Competition, First Prize at the Shenzhen Lang Lang Futian International Piano Competition, Young Talent Award at the Ettlingen International Piano Competition, Second Prize and Best Chinese Work at the Beijing Chopin International Competition, and First Prize and Best Schubert Prize at the Aspire Category of 2021 E-Piano Junior Competition.

She has also been fortunate to have taken masterclasses with celebrated pianists such as Gary Graffman, Arie Vardi, Lev Natochenny, Antonio Pompa-Baldi, Stanislav Ioudenitch, Dmitri Alexeev, Li Qi, and Wu Ying. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, drawing, swimming, and of course, listening to music.

Yanyan

CHINA

Program

FIRST ROUND

Mozart Sonata No. 3 in B-flat Major, K. 281

Ravel Ondine from Gaspard de la Nuit, M. 55

Chopin Ballade No. 4 in F Minor, Op. 52

FINAL ROUND

Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49

I. Molto allegro agitato

Chopin Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 21

Senior Division

Guillermo Hernández Barrocal was born in Valladolid, Spain, and began playing piano at the age of eight. He currently studies with Andrey Yaroshinsky, who he has worked with since 2018. After finishing Professional Piano Studies at the Valladolid Conservatory at age 13, he is continuing his studies at the Katarina Gurska Superior Conservatory in Madrid.

He completed his training with courses and masterclasses with Josep Colom, Joaquín Soriano, Vincenzo Balzani, Ana Guijarro and, Pavel Gililov, among others. In the summer of 2022, he was awarded a scholarship to study at the Luzerne Music Center in New York.

Guillermo has won First Prize at several competitions, including the Santa Cecilia Piano Competition (Segovia, 2017); María Herrero (Granada, 2017); Gran Klavier (Madrid, 2019); Pernik (Bulgaria, 2019); and Estepona Rotary Competition (Málaga, 2021). In addition, he won Second Prize in the César Franck Piano Competition (Brussels, 2017); 4th classified in the Nutcracker (Moscow, 2020); and was a semifinalist at the FrechillaZuluaga in Valladolid in the absolute category (2021). Most recently, he won Second Prize in the Jeune Chopin Competition in Switzerland in January of this year.

Guillermo has played more than 50 solo recitals, including performances with several chamber groups and six different concertos as a soloist with orchestra. He has performed in many important venues, such as the National Auditorium of Spain, Gustav Mahler Hall in Dobbiaco (Italy) and the Cap Roig Festival with Ainhoa Arteta. Important concerts also include solo recitals in International Jesús López Cobos Festival (Zamora) and a solo recital at the Madrid Piano City festival in CondeDuque Auditorium, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in Málaga with the Málaga Philharmonic Orchestra (October 2022), and Bach Keyboard Concerto in D Minor in Sofia and Pernik (Bulgaria) with the Orfeo String Orchestra.

Guillermo recorded his first album in 2021, featuring repertoire from the Romantic period (Liszt, Schumann, and Chopin).

Program

FIRST ROUND

Beethoven Sonata No. 26 in E-flat Major, Op. 81a (“Les Adieux”)

Chopin Ballade No. 3 in A-flat Major, Op. 47

Rachmaninoff Étude-Tableaux, Op. 39, No. 9

FINAL ROUND

Brahms Piano Trio No. 1 in B Major, Op. 8

I. Allegro con brio — Tranquillo — In tempo ma sempre sostenuto

Chopin Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 11

I. Allegro maestoso

Guillermo Hernández

AGE: 15

SPAIN

Eugenia Sánchez Durán

AGE: 18

SPAIN

Contestants

Eugenia Sánchez Durán was born in Murcia, Spain. She started playing piano at age six and since 2016, studies with Professors Leonel Morales Alonso and Leo de María at the Alfonso X El Sabio University in Madrid.

She has won numerous prizes, including most recently, First Prize in the 22nd International Piano Competition “Spanish Composers” (CIPCE) in Las Rozas, Madrid (2022) and Preisträgerkonzert Prize in Internationale Sommerakademie of the Mozarteum University in Salzburg (2022).

She has participated in courses such as the International Masterclass Leonel Morales Granada (2016 to 2021), Internationale Sommerakademie Universitat Morzarteum Salzburg (2017, 2019 and 2022) and Hotchkiss Piano Summer Portals (2018) in Lakeville, CT, USA. She also has played in masterclasses with Natalia Trull, John Perry, Pavel Gililov, Vincenzo Balzani, Yuri Didenko, Yuri Bogdanov, Fabio Witkowski, Gisele Witkowski, Wu Ying, Andrea Bonata, Frank Fernández, Tensy Krismant and Leonel Morales, among others.

Recently, she was invited to play in the Max-Schlereth Saal at the Salzburg International Festival in August 2022. Moreover, she has played in important halls in Spain and abroad, such as Carnegie Hall (New York), Mozarteum University (Salzburg), Solitär Hall de Salzburg (Austria), Katherine M. Elfers Hall in Hotchkiss School (Lakeville, Connecticut), Cultuurraad Kraainem Saal in Brussels, La Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando (Madrid), Ateneo (Madrid), and Auditorio Joaquín Rodrigo de Las Rozas (Madrid).

Program

FIRST ROUND

Mozart Sonata No. 4 in E flat Major, K. 282

Chopin Scherzo No. 4 in E Major, Op. 54

Scriabin Étude in F-sharp Major, Op. 42, No. 4

Liszt Transcendental Étude, S. 139, No. 10 (“Appassionata”)

FINAL ROUND

Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49

I. Molto allegro agitato

Chopin Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 11

I. Allegro maestoso

Senior Division

Xuanyan Gong was born in Shanghai, China. Music entered Xuanyan’s life at the age of five. Before she knew it, an indissoluble bond had forged between her and music. In 2018, Xuanyan moved to the United States together with her parents and brother to study at The Juilliard School pre-college division with Professor Matti Raekallio and later on with Professor Ernest Barretta. In 2022, Xuanyan participated in masterclasses with Professor Oleg Volkov and Shai Wosner. In the same year, Xuanyan Gong became a fellow of NPR’s From the Top program, performed for a children’s hospital, and made an appearance in one of From the Top’s shows. Xuanyan also became a member of the Artemisia Foundation and won the First Prize, Senior Division in the Kaufman Music Center International Piano Competition.

Xuanyan’s friends often ask her, “How are you not bored of playing the piano?” to which she replies, “Music has become a part of me and my life.” To Xuanyan, the piano is a sibling of hers, someone with whom she can converse and share all her thoughts. Music is her form of communication with her inner world, with the composers, and with the world in which the composers lived.

Program

FIRST ROUND

Haydn Sonata in C Major, Hob. XVI:50

Chopin Ballade No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 23

Rachmaninoff Étude-Tableaux, Op. 39, No. 6

FINAL ROUND

Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49

I. Molto allegro agitato

Beethoven Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37

I. Allegro con brio

AGE: 16

CHINA

AGE: 15 SOUTH KOREA

Contestants

Seokyoung Hong is from South Korea and currently studies at the Walnut Hill School for the Arts and New England Conservatory Preparatory School with Professor Haesun Paik.

His awards and prizes include First Prizes at the Korea Steinway Competition, the Ehwa and Kyunghyang Concours, and the Dong-A Junior Music Competition; Second Prizes at the Jeune Chopin International Youth Piano Competition and the Kosciuszko Foundation Chopin Competition for Young Pianists; and honorable mention at the University of Minnesota School of Music 2001 e-Piano Junior Competition.

Seokyoung writes: “When I was young, I wanted to play and enjoyed listening to ‘fast’ pieces like études. But the tempo of a piece does not feel like an important aspect for me nowadays. I now prefer pieces that are emotional and ‘musical’, as studying piano has helped me realize that performances only focused on tempo do not really make sense. Furthermore, I also realized that how fast a piece is does not determine how good the piece is.”

An avid composer as well, Seokyoung treats the act of writing music as a meditational practice, selecting each note after careful consideration to create a holistic work. He is thrilled to be a contestant in the Cleveland International Piano Competition for Young Artists.

Program

FIRST ROUND

Haydn Sonata in E Major, Hob. XVI:31

Chopin Ballade No. 2 in F Major, Op. 38

Dutilleux Sonata, Op. 1

III. Choral Variations

FINAL ROUND

Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49

I. Molto allegro agitato

Chopin Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 11

I. Allegro maestoso

Senior Division

Zihan Jiang was born in Fujian, China, and began to study piano at the age of four. From 2015 to 2022, she studied at the Music Middle School affiliated with the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, under the tutelage of Prof. Natalia Filippova. Currently, she is pursuing further artistic training in Germany with Professor Stephan Imorde, Roland Krueger and Gerrit Zitterbart. She was a recipient of Niu Ende Piano Scholarship, and her previous teachers include Shuhua Chen, Zhe Tang, and Tianying Zhao.

Zihan has been awarded a number of First Prizes in international competitions, including the International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition for Children and Youth in China, Young Verona Piano Competition, Danubia Talents Liszt International Music Competition, Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition Online, International Keyboard Olympiad in Hanover, Scriabin International Arts Festival-Piano Competition, KAWAI Asia Piano Competition, Pearl RiverKayserburg International Youth Piano Competition, Shanghai International Youth Piano Competition, and Shanghai Piano Open Competition, among others.

In 2022, she successfully held three piano solo concerts in Shanghai. She has captured audiences with her charismatic stage presence, sensitive musicality, emotional depth, and astounding technique. In 2021, she performed Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Wuhan Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Yifan Sun. She has performed in such iconic venues as the Shanghai Steinway Hall, Parsons Yangtze River Artist Center, Phoenix Voice Grand Theater, and Silk Road International Exchange Center.

Zihan has also participated in many music festivals and masterclasses, including Shanghai International Piano Festival & Institute and Mallorca International Piano Masterclass. She performed in masterclasses for such artists as Maxim Mogilevsky, Kathryn Brown, Douglas Humpherys, Antonio Pompa-Baldi, Matti, Raekallio, Andrzej Jasnski, Jerzy Sterczynski, Ewa Poblocka, Alexander Schimpf, Gerrit Zitterbart, Roland Krüger, Henri Sigfridsson, Konrad Maria Engel.

Aside from music, Zihan enjoys reading and writing, exploring new cities, and meeting new people.

Program

FIRST ROUND

Beethoven Sonata No. 17 in D Minor, Op. 31, No. 2

Chopin Étude in C Major, Op. 10, No. 1

Stravinsky Trois mouvements de Petrushka

I. Danse Russe (Russian Dance)

II. Chez Pétrouchka (Petrushka’s Room)

FINAL ROUND

Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49

I. Molto allegro agitato

Chopin Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 11

I. Allegro maestoso

Zihan Jiang

AGE: 17

CHINA

AGE: 16 SOUTH KOREA

Contestants

Saehyun Kim is a pianist from Seoul, South Korea, currently residing in Massachusetts. In 2022, he won First Prize at both the Morningside Music Bridge International Concerto Competition and the New England Conservatory (NEC) Preparatory School Concerto Competition. In his first-ever international competition, the 2019 International Tchaikovsky Online Piano Competition for Young Musicians, he won Second Prize as the youngest finalist. Additionally, he won First Prize at both the 2021 New York International Classical Music Competition and the 2018 Ewha & Kyunghyang Music Concours, the most prestigious young artist music competition in Korea.

Over the past seven years, Saehyun has performed at major concert venues in South Korea—such as the Seoul Arts Center, Mozart Art Hall, and TLI Art Center— and beyond. At the age of 10, he had his first solo recital at Kumho Art Hall as a part of the Kumho Prodigy Concert Series. During the 2021–2022 season, he performed twice at Jordan Hall as part of two renowned concert series: First Monday at Jordan Hall and NEC Composers: Piano Music by NEC Alumni and Faculty. This season, he performed at Yamaha Hall Ginza in Tokyo as a part of the Yamaha Rising Pianists Concert Vol. 7 and will have his U.S. concerto debut with the NEC Youth Philharmonic Orchestra at Jordan Hall.

Kim has appeared as a soloist with the Sendai Philharmonic, Korean Symphony, and more, collaborating with Maestros Ken Takaseki and Chi-Yong Jung. He was also invited to give interviews and performances for national music channels such as JTBC Classic Today and KBS Classic FM. Currently, he is a Young Scholar of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation and a junior at Walnut Hill School for the Arts, studying with HaeSun Paik, faculty at New England Conservatory.

Program

FIRST ROUND

Haydn Sonata in D Major, Hob. XVI:42

Ravel Scarbo from Gaspard de la Nuit, M. 55

Chopin Polonaise-fantaisie in A-flat Major, Op. 61

FINAL ROUND

Brahms Piano Trio No. 1 in B Major, Op. 8

I. Allegro con brio — Tranquillo — In tempo ma sempre sostenuto

Chopin Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 11

I. Allegro maestoso

Senior Division

Jeongwoo Lee currently studies piano at the Yewon School, the most prestigious secondary education institution for the arts in South Korea. After beginning to study the piano at the age of 7, Jeongwoo soon became deeply passionate about the instrument and focused all attention on practicing. As Jeongwoo writes, “Every new piece I learn strengthens my love for the instrument.” He received First Prize at the 69th Ewha Kyunghyang Music Concours held in 2020 as well as First Prize at the Romania Pitesti “Dinu Lipatti” International Music Competition in 2022. He recently performed at the Kumho Prodigy Concert in July 2022. Jeongwoo is honored to be participating in the Cleveland International Piano Competition for Young Artists and hopes that the audience will feel his enthusiasm and dedication through his performances. Jeongwoo believes that this experience will continue to push his musical and artistic boundaries and hopes that his playing will touch the hearts of many. Jeongwoo

Program

FIRST ROUND

Haydn Sonata in E-flat Major, Hob. XVI:52

Chopin Étude in A Minor, Op. 10, No. 2

Scriabin Fantasie in B Minor, Op. 28

FINAL ROUND

Brahms Piano Trio No. 1 in B Major, Op. 8

I. Allegro con brio — Tranquillo — In tempo ma sempre sostenuto

Chopin Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 21

I. Maestoso

AGE: 15 SOUTH KOREA

AGE: 17 CHINA

Contestants

Zhexiang Li was named the “Best of Best” in the top-notch innovative talent program of the Central Conservatory of Music. He currently studies under Professor Xinning Zhang, Rector of Teaching and Research Office of Piano Department of Central Conservatory of Music. In 2016, he was admitted to the Central Conservatory of Music Affiliated Primary School with excellent performance, and in 2019, he was admitted to the Central Conservatory of Music Middle School with a First Place score on his entrance exam. In the field of chamber music, he has studied under Professor Gefang Yang, Director of the Chamber Music Teaching and Research Section of the Central Conservatory of Music.

Zhexiang has performed and held solo concerts in renowned concert halls and theaters around the world, such as Beijing, China Central Television, Macau, Manchester, London, Nagoya, Los Angeles, Kiev, Nanjing, Shenzhen, Hefei, Ningbo, Chengdu, Zhuhai, Xiamen, Hangzhou, Fuzhou, and Qingdao. In addition, he has performed with the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, Manchester Camerata Orchestra, Salzburg Soloist Chamber Orchestra, China Philharmonic Orchestra, Central Conservatory of Music Symphony Orchestra, Ningbo Symphony Orchestra, Inner Mongolia Symphony Orchestra, and the Cross-Strait Arts Youth United Symphony Orchestra.

In addition to winning many Chinese piano competitions for young pianists, Zhexiang also has been a prize winner for several international competitions, including Third Prize in the 5th Manchester International Piano Concerto Competition in 2017, Second Prize in the 2nd Zhuhai Mozart International Young Music Week Piano Group A in 2017, First Prize of the Junior Division in the 6th Nagoya International Young Pianist Competition in 2018, First Prize in the Junior Group of The 2nd Beijing International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition For Young Pianists in 2019, Best Performance of Polonaise Award, the Special Award of the Chopin Academy and the Special Award of the Mitzkiewicz Academy in 2019, and was a Finalist of the Junior Group in the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition for Young Pianists in 2021.

Program

FIRST ROUND

Beethoven Sonata No. 4 in E-Flat Major, Op. 7

Chopin Polonaise in A-flat Major, Op.53 (“Heroic”)

FINAL ROUND

Beethoven Piano Trio No. 5 in D Major, Op.70, No. 1 (“Ghost”)

I. Allegro vivace e con brio

Grieg Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16

I. Allegro molto moderato

Senior Division

Fuyin Liu was born in Beijing, China, and began his piano studies at the age of five. After completing his early education in China, he traveled to Germany to study at the Bach Music Gymnasium in Berlin. Throughout his career as a young pianist, Fuyin has earned several awards and prizes, including First Prizes at the 2018 Vienna Grand Music Competition, the 2019 German-Chinese International Competition in Berlin, and Third Prize at the 2021 Junior Saint Cecilia International Piano Competition. Fuyin has participated in masterclasses with many notable artists and pedagogues such as Galyna Popova, Ewa Poblocka, Andrezej Jasnksi, Klaus Bassler, Matti Raekallio, Rieko Aizawa, and Anna Polonsky. Fuyin is currently a student at the Munich University of Music and Performing Arts, where he studies with Professor Yuka Imamine. Fuyin

Program

FIRST ROUND

Beethoven Sonata No. 6 in F Major, Op. 10, No. 2

Chopin Ballade No. 4 in F Minor, Op. 52

Debussy Étude No. 12 (“Pour les accords”) from 12 Études, L. 136

FINAL ROUND

Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49

I. Molto allegro agitato

Chopin Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 21

I. Maestoso

AGE: 17 CHINA

AGE: 16 TAIWAN

Contestants

Pianist Chih-Chun Lu was born in Taiwan and began studying the piano at the age of six. Passionate about piano and chamber music, Chih-Chun has given several solo recitals and chamber concerts over the past few years. He has participated in international music festivals in Taiwan and Italy, as well as being awarded top prizes in competitions such as the Second Prize at the 5th Steinway Junior Piano Competition in 2020, First Prize and Best Prokofiev Performance at the International Music Competition in 2021, Grand Prize at the Enkor International Competition 8th Edition in 2021, First Prize at the Taipei Taiwan International Piano Competition in 2021, and Third Prize at the 6th Steinway Junior Piano Competition in 2022.

In 2020, Chih-Chun was invited by Prof. Shuhan Ye to perform a concerto in collaboration with the National Taiwan Normal University Symphonic Band. Having recently won the Taipei Symphony Orchestra (TSO) Concerto Competition, ChihChun performed the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 with the TSO in February 2023.

Chih-Chun Lu previously studied with Prof. Jeannie Cheng and is currently studying with Prof. Grace Chung at The Affiliated Senior High School of National Taiwan Normal University.

Program

FIRST ROUND

Beethoven Sonata No. 6 in F Major, Op. 10, No. 2

Chopin Ballade No. 2 in F Major, Op. 38

Liszt Mephisto Waltz No. 1, S. 514

FINAL ROUND

Brahms Piano Trio No. 1 in B Major, Op. 8

I. Allegro con brio — Tranquillo — In tempo ma sempre sostenuto

Chopin Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 21

I. Maestoso

Senior Division

Valdemar Wenzel Most is from Nyborg, Denmark, and was born into a musical family. He began playing the piano at the age of four, and later he began playing the cello as well, primarily in the youth orchestra “The Zapolski Strings”. At the age of nine, he started at the singing-school at Sankt Annæ Gymnasium, where he later became a soloist in the famous Copenhagen Royal Chapel Choir with which he toured all of Europe. As a boy soprano, he has performed as one of the three boys in Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” at the Royal Danish Opera in Copenhagen. These many musical experiences have helped shape Valdemar’s musicality to this day.

Valdemar is even more renowned as a pianist, which is his primary musical discipline. He has won a number of awards and competitions, including First Prize at the Steinway Festival Piano Competition, where he was chosen as the representative of Denmark for the international Steinway Festival 2023 in Hamburg and will play in the prestigious Laeiszhalle. He also received Second Prize at the Nordic Junior Piano Competition.

Valdemar was awarded the Jacob Gade Foundations Talent Prize in 2018 and was admitted into their talent program. As a result of this award, he has played many concerts as a soloist and as a chamber musician, among these the Mendelssohn Trio in D minor with the internationally acclaimed cellist Andreas Brantelid.

Valdemar has also performed as a soloist with orchestra, including the first movement from Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, which he will perform again with Copenhagen Philharmonic and South Denmark Philharmonic this August.

Since 2014, Valdemar has studied with Professor Bella Zapolski at Copenhagen Music School. In addition, he has played at masterclasses for Ewa Pobłocka, Péter Nagy, Julia Mustonen-Dahlkvist, Aristo Sham, Mirosław Herbowski and Per Tengstrand.

Program

FIRST ROUND

Chopin Andante spianato et grande polonaise brillante in E-flat Major, Op. 22

Haydn Sonata F major, Hob. XVI:23

FINAL ROUND

Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49

I. Molto allegro agitato

II. Andante con moto tranquillo

Grieg Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16

I. Allegro molto moderato

AGE: 18

DENMARK

AGE: 16

SOUTH KOREA

Contestants

Born in 2006 in Busan, South Korea, Haerim Park began learning the piano at Myeongryun Elementary School. Since 2019, she has been studying at the Yewon School, Seoul Arts High School, and Korean National Institute for the Gifted in Arts under Jinsang Lee and Hyojoo Lee.

Haerim has appeared at such festivals as Busan Maru International Music Festival (2015), Great Mountains Music Festival & School in Korea (2015, 2016), and Stars on the Baikal by Denis Matsuev (2017). She also gave a recital in Seoul as a Kumho Foundation Fellow (2019, 2022).

In addition, she is a laureate of the Tongyeong International Music Festival (First Prize, 2014) and numerous international competitions, including Little Mozart Audition (First Prize, 2014), Samick-Seiler Piano Competition in Korea (First Prize, 2015), Astana Piano Passion in Kazakhstan (First Prize – Junior Division and Denis Matsuev Special Prize, 2017), Ettlingen International Competition for Young Pianists in Germany (Second Prize, 2020), Grand Piano Competition in Russia (Diploma, 2021), and the 4th Zhuhai International Mozart Competition for Young Musicians (First Prize, 2022).

Program

FIRST ROUND

Mozart Sonata No. 8 in A Minor, K. 310 Liszt Transcendental Étude, S. 139, No. 5 (“Feux Follets”)

Chopin Scherzo No. 2 in B-flat Minor, Op. 31

FINAL ROUND

Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 66

IV. Finale: Allegro appassionato

Beethoven Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37

I. Allegro con brio

Senior Division

Young Ho Shin currently majors in piano at the Seoul Arts High School in South Korea. He began playing piano when he was five years old and had his debut recital at Kumho Art Hall at age 14. At 15, he performed Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Gyeonggi Provincial Philharmonic Orchestra, and the First Movement of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Yewon School Student Orchestra.

In addition, Young Ho has performed at many other concerts, such as Korea Liszt Competition Prizewinners’ Concert, the Samick Art Foundation Prodigy Scholarship Concert, and the GCCF Music Competition First Prize Winners Concert. In the competition world, he has also won many prizes at Korea’s competitions, including Ewha & Kyunghyang Music Competition, Korea Liszt Piano Competition, GCCF Music Competition, and Yewon Music Competition.

Young Ho has received scholarships for every semester he has attended Yewon School. He has also been selected for the Lee Dae-Ung Foundation Scholarship, and the Samick Art Foundation Prodigy Scholarship.

Program

FIRST ROUND

Mozart Sonata No. 14 in C Minor, K. 457 Chopin Étude in A Minor, Op. 10, No. 2

Balakirev Islamey: Oriental Fantasy, Op. 18

FINAL ROUND

Brahms Piano Trio No. 1 in B Major, Op. 8

I. Allegro con brio — Tranquillo — In tempo ma sempre sostenuto

Beethoven Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37

I. Allegro con brio

Young Ho Shin

AGE: 16

SOUTH KOREA

AGE: 15

Contestants

From Vancouver, Canada, Ryan Wang started playing piano at the age of four, and performed his first solo recital at the age of six. In 2013, he began his musical studies under the tutelage of Professor Lee Kum Sing and Dr. Sunsung Kong. He is currently studying on a music scholarship with Mr. Gareth Owen at Eton College in the United Kingdom and is in the Artist Diploma program with Professor Marian Rybicki at Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris in France.

Ryan has performed in many important and prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, Fazioli Concert Hall, RTHK radio 4 in HongKong, CCTV 4 (China), CBC Music, and live on FM96.3 Toronto’s Radio Station at Zoomer Hall. He was invited to perform as part of the cultural component of Canada’s participation in the APEC Summit in Beijing in 2014, and he was also invited to perform a private recital in the Canadian Prime Minister’s home. Orchestral appearances include those with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Festival Orchestra, Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra, Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra, West Coast Symphony Orchestra, and many more. He is also a successful chamber musician.

Among his awards are as a prize winner in the Canadian Music Competition, Seattle International Piano Competition, Young Euregio Piano Award Competition, the 29th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition for Youth in Szafarnia (Poland), Chicago International Music Competition, Paderewski International Piano Competition, Ettlingen International Piano Competition, the International Piano Competition ‘SAMSON FRANCOIS’, and Jeune Chopin International Piano Competition in Switzerland. In 2017 and 2019, Ryan was the recipient of the Emerging Artist Grant from the Vancouver Academy of Music.

Program

FIRST ROUND

Haydn Sonata in C Major, Hob. XVI:50

Chopin Nocturne in B major, Op. 62, No. 1 Ravel La Valse

FINAL ROUND

Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49 I. Molto allegro agitato

Chopin Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 11 I. Allegro maestoso

Senior Division

Kai-Lang Yang is currently a student of Chiao-Han Liao at the Junior High division of the affiliated senior high school of National Taiwan Normal University. His international competition awards include the Junior Gorodnitzki Prize in the Gina Bachauer 2021 International Junior and Young Artist Competition, the Second Prize in the International Maestro Piano Competition 2020 in Taiwan, and the Third Prize in the Zhuhai International Mozart Competition for Young Musicians 2019 in China. These competitions provided opportunities for him to perform with the Salzburg Chamber Soloists and National Symphony Orchestra Taiwan (NSO). He was selected as a participant in the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra (NTSO) International Music Talent Initiative for 2022-2023.

Program

FIRST ROUND

Mozart Sonata No. 11 in A Major, K. 331

Chopin Andante spianato and grande polonaise brillante in E-flat Major, Op. 22

FINAL ROUND

Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49

I. Molto allegro agitato

Chopin Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 21

I. Maestoso

Kai-Lang Yang

AGE: 15

TAIWAN

The Institute

The Institute

CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL PIANO INSTITUTE FOR YOUNG ARTISTS

Young piano stars from all over the world will experience Cleveland’s art and culture while studying at the Cleveland International Piano Institute, presented with the Cleveland Institute of Music in partnership with the Lang Lang Foundation. This innovative pre-collegiate program provides students ages 11-18 the chance to work with world-renowned faculty and guest artists through masterclasses, lessons, and workshops.

Join us at the following events to see the Institute participants in action!

THURSDAY, JULY 6 | 4:30PM

Masterclass: Antonio Pompa - Baldi

CIM Distinguished Professor of Piano and CIPC winner Antonio Pompa-Baldi leads participants in a masterclass.

FRIDAY, JULY 14 | 1:30PM

Institute Competition

Institute participants perform and compete for special prizes.

Mixon Hall, Cleveland Institute of Music

PIANO PALS

Local piano students mix and mingle with their peers at the Institute through the Piano Pals program, sponsored by Kaulig Giving. Through this program, local students and Institute participants between the ages of 11 - 18 learn from each other and forge new international friendships. Program participants get to know each other as pen pals, meet and mingle at social outings, and encourage each other to learn and grow as young pianists. Local participants get a behind-the-scenes look at the Cleveland International Piano Competition and Institute with exclusive access to concerts and performances, masterclass observations, and even the opportunity to serve on a “Junior Jury” to award prizes during the Competition.

Institute Faculty

KATHRYN BROWN Cleveland Institute of Music Co-Directors, Cleveland International Piano Institute

YARON KOHLBERG Piano Cleveland

Learn more about Kathryn and Yaron on p.36 and p.38

ANTONIO POMPA-BALDI

Born and raised in Foggia, Italy, Antonio Pompa-Baldi won the Cleveland International Piano Competition in 1999 and embarked on a multifaceted career that continues to extend across five continents. A top prize winner at the 1998 Marguerite Long-Jacques Thibaud Competition of Paris, France, Antonio Pompa-Baldi also won a silver medal at the 2001 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Mr. Pompa-Baldi appears at the world’s major concert venues including New York’s Carnegie Hall, Cleveland’s Severance Hall, Milan’s Sala Verdi, Boston’s Symphony Hall, Shanghai’s Grand Theatre, and Paris’ Salle Pleyel, to name a few. He has collaborated with leading conductors including Hans Graf, James Conlon, Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Theodore Kuchar, Benjamin Zander, Louis Lane, and Keith Lockhart. He has performed with ensembles and colleagues such as Takacs String Quartet, Alison Balsom, Sharon Robinson, and principals of The Cleveland Orchestra, Dallas Symphony, New York Philharmonic, and Juilliard Quartet, among others.

Mr. Pompa- Baldi has recorded over 30 CDs to date, for various labels including Centaur Records, Harmonia Mundi, Steinway, TwoPianists, Azica, and Brilliant Classics. Antonio Pompa-Baldi has been a Steinway Artist since 2003. He is often invited to judge international piano competitions such as the Cleveland, Hilton Head, E-Competition (Minneapolis), BNDES Rio de Janeiro, and Edward Grieg (Bergen), among many others. He has served as President of the Jury and Artistic Advisor for the San Jose International Piano Competition since 2006. Pompa-Baldi is on the Piano Faculty of the Cleveland Institute of Music.

In 2015, Pompa-Baldi founded the Todi International Music Masters festival, of which he is also Artistic Director and Faculty Member. This summer festival takes place every August in the beautiful Italian town of Todi. It features 15 concerts in 15 days, with internationally renowned faculty members, and students from all over the world.

DANIEL SHAPIRO

Daniel Shapiro continues to gain recognition as a leading interpreter of Schubert, Beethoven, Mozart, Schumann, and Brahms, and as a teacher and coach at the Cleveland Institute of Music. He has given critically acclaimed performances across the United States, in Brazil, Britain, Ireland, Spain, France, Italy, Korea, and China, at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, and at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. During the 2020/21 season he performed his third complete cycle of the 32 Beethoven piano sonatas in honor of the composer’s 250th birthday; links to these performances can be found on YouTube.com. His DVDs of all of Schubert’s major piano sonatas and his CD of Beethoven’s “Diabelli” Variations have received enthusiastic reviews.

He has taught at CIM for the past 24 years, during which time he has become known as an inspiring teacher who helps students achieve profound understanding and develop vivid interpretations of the great masterworks. His students have won important competitions and obtained teaching posts at prestigious universities and schools of music.

As a chamber musician, Shapiro has had the great fortune of collaborating with some of the world’s leading musicians, including Jaime Laredo, Shmuel Ashkenasi, Joseph Silverstein, Cho-Liang Lin, Roberto Diaz, Ronald Leonard, Franklin Cohen and Frank Rosenwein. He has performed regularly with members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony and the Cleveland Orchestra. He has also performed with the Cavani, Mirò, and Linden Quartets, and has released chamber music CDs on the Harmonia Mundi and ASV labels. His Beethoven sonata collaborations with violinist Jaime Laredo can be found on youtube.com.

His musical scope also includes the study of conducting: he has worked with Daniel Lewis, Victor Yampolsky, Fritz Zweig, and Gustav Meier. He made his conducting debut at 16 at Tanglewood and conducted Mozart’s Don Giovanni with the Akron Lyric Opera.

His musicianship has been enhanced and deepened by extensive collaboration with singers: listening to and working with them has been a source of tremendous inspiration. He studied art song with Gwendolyn Koldofsky and opera with Natalie Limonick, and was an opera and art song coach at UCLA.

A native of southern California, Shapiro began the study of piano at the age of six. His teachers included Leon Fleisher, John Perry, Russell Sherman, Joanna Graudan, and Reginald Stewart. He studied at the University of Southern California and at the Peabody Conservatory, where he received his doctorate.

Institute Faculty

SEAN SCHULZE

Sean Schulze is on the piano faculty of the Cleveland Institute of Music where he teaches piano pedagogy and piano literature to conservatory graduate and undergraduate students and serves as Chair of CIM’s nationally recognized Preparatory Piano Department. In addition, Schulze is on the faculty of the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music where he serves as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Piano Literature.

After receiving his early training in South Africa where he studied with two of that country’s most renowned pedagogues, Moira Birks and Isabella Stengel, he was invited to pursue a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Arizona on full scholarship where he studied with Nicholas Zumbro (a student of the famed Rosina Lhévinne). He undertook further studies with Brazilian pianist Caio Pagano and has performed in masterclasses for many of today’s leading pianists and pedagogues including Yoheved Kaplinsky, Bela Siki, Nelita True, John Owings, Martin Canin, Tamás Ungár, and Joseph Banowetz. He has appeared as a concerto soloist with many orchestras – the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra, The Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, The University of Arizona Symphony Orchestra, the Suburban Symphony Orchestra and the Eastern Arizona Symphony Orchestra – and has performed as a solo and chamber musician throughout Ohio and the US, collaborating frequently with violinist Stephen Sims and pianist Shuai Wang. A sought-after teacher, adjudicator and clinician, Sean Schulze’s students have performed as concerto soloists on more than 30 occasions with various orchestras and continue to win prizes regularly in competitions throughout the United States. In 2015, Schulze was invited to serve on the International Jury of the Cleveland International Piano Competition’s Young Artist Competition. Schulze continues to direct Summer Sonata, an intensive program of lessons and masterclasses for talented pianists aged 12-18 which takes place annually on the CIM campus.

GERARDO TEISSONNIÈRE

Regarded by international critics and audiences as an artist of extraordinary musicianship and rare sensibility since his acclaimed solo recital debut at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, pianist Gerardo Teissonnière brings to the concert stage an exciting amalgam of the diverse and important musical traditions he represents. From the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado, Lincoln Center in New York to concert halls in Asia, Europe, North and Latin America, Mr. Teissonnière appears in recital, with orchestra and chamber music performances in concert series as well as in radio and television broadcasts throughout the world.

Concert highlights include solo recital debuts in Munich, Paris and Vienna, as well as solo and chamber music performances in Italy, in the United States with members of The Cleveland Orchestra, a performance for an audience of twenty thousand and a solo recital at the Diaoyucheng International Music Festival in Chongqing, China, his solo recital and concerto debuts in Beijing, and all-Chopin concerts in Poland. Mr. Teissonnière’s recording of the last three Beethoven sonatas for the Steinway & Sons record label has received wide critical acclaim and has been hailed as “a landmark recording” by the press.

Tracing his pedagogical roots to Alfred Cortot, Artur Schnabel and Alexander Siloti, Gerardo Teissonnière is in great demand for his mentoring of young musicians, and conducts masterclasses and piano pedagogy seminars throughout the world. His students have performed as soloists on numerous occasions with some of the world’s most important orchestras such as The Cleveland Orchestra, and in solo recital at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Mr. Teissonnière is a Steinway Artist.

Invited Faculty

ZSOLT BOGNÁR

Pianist, host, and author Zsolt Bognár is known to many around the globe in musical and cultural circles. As a pianist, he has performed in Europe, Asia, and the United States, and recorded a highly-praised debut album of works of Schubert and Liszt. He has appeared at New York’s Lincoln Center and 92nd Street Y, and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. With notable performances in Berlin, Vienna, Munich, Amsterdam, Tokyo, Chicago, and Los Angeles, he has appeared on many NPR programs including full-length recital programs and interviews; he hosts broadcasts including Live with Carnegie Hall. As producer and host of the award-winning series Living the Classical Life, he has shared the stories of legendary musical figures through rarely-told stories in nearly 100 episodes filmed as of 2021. Mr. Bognár’s speaking engagements explore diverse subjects; his two TEDMED presentations in San Francisco were broadcast live in 164 countries. Zsolt Bognár studied with Sergei Babayan and Paul Schenly at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

SOYEON KATE LEE

First prize winner of the Naumburg International Piano Competition and the Concert Artist Guild International Competition, Korean-American pianist Soyeon Kate Lee has been lauded by The New York Times as a pianist with “a huge, richly varied sound, a lively imagination and a firm sense of style,” and by the Washington Post for her “stunning command of the keyboard.”

Highlights of recent seasons include appearances at the National Gallery, Library of Congress, Gina Bachauer Concerts, Purdue Convocations, San Francisco Performances, and the Cleveland Museum of Art. She was a member of Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society Two residency program, and is a regular participant in numerous chamber music festivals including the Great Lakes, Santa Fe and Music Mountain Chamber Music Festivals. Ms. Lee has collaborated with conductors Carlos Miguel Prieto, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, Jahja Ling, and Jorge Mester with the London, San Diego, Hawaii, Louisiana, Naples symphony orchestras among others.

Ms. Lee’s discography as a Naxos artist spans the works of Scarlatti, Liszt, Scriabin, and Clementi, and her eco-awareness album on E1, Re!nvented, garnered her the Classical Recording Foundation’s Young Artist of the Year Award.

She has commissioned works by prominent composers of our time, and has given world premieres of works written by Frederic Rzewski, Marc-Andre Hamelin, Alexander Goehr, Gabriela Lena Frank, Texu Kim, and Huang Ruo.

A laureate of the Santander International Piano Competition and the Cleveland International Piano Competition, Ms. Lee is a graduate of The Juilliard School, where she earned her Bachelors and Masters degrees and the Artist Diploma. She earned her Doctorate at the Graduate Center, CUNY. She has worked extensively with Richard Goode, Jerome Lowenthal, Robert McDonald, and Ursula Oppens.

Ms. Lee is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Music by the Glass, a concert series dedicated to bringing together young professionals in New York City. She joined the piano faculty of The Juilliard School in 2022, and is an Associate Professor of Music in Piano at the Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music where she received the 2021 University of Cincinnati Mrs. AB Dolly Cohen Award for Excellence in Teaching. She serves on the piano faculty of the Bowdoin International Music Festival, and makes her home in Cincinnati with her husband, pianist Ran Dank, and their two children, Noah and Ella.

Invited Faculty

CHING-YUN HU

“…that elusive superstar quality that everybody looks for… Musical, energetic and full of flair.”Jerusalem Post

Hailed by The Philadelphia Inquirer as a “first class talent… superb pianist” and by International Piano (London) for “praises follow her around the world”, TaiwaneseAmerican pianist Ching-Yun Hu is a unique presence on the international concert scene.

Ms. Hu made her concerto debut at the age of 13 on a tour in Japan and Taiwan. She made her Aspen Music Festival debut at age 16, playing Prokofiev Concerto No. 3. A year later, she performed the Grieg Piano Concerto to a sold-out house at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia with the Philadelphia Orchestra. After her successful Lincoln Center recital debut at Alice Tully Hall in 2007, she has continued to perform at prestigious concert halls and music festivals across the globe.

Ching-Yun Hu is the winner of the Arthur Rubinstein and Concert Artists Guild Competitions, and since her debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, she has continued to perform internationally at major concert venues: Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Wigmore Hall, Concertgebouw, Frankfurt Opera House, Taipei National Concert Hall, Klavier-Ruhr Festival, Aspen Music Festival, Oregon Bach Festival, to name just a few.

Her debut album, “Ching-Yun Hu plays Chopin”, (ArchiMusic) won the prestigious Golden Melody Award for “Best Classical Album of the Year”. Her collaboration with the renowned Boston Modern Orchestra Project resulted in a critically acclaimed recording for BMop Sound. “Ching-Yun Hu: Rachmaninoff” (2019), received “five stars” by Pianist Magazine and was called “essential listening for Rachmaninoff admirers”.

A native of Taipei, Ching-Yun Hu studied with Herbert Stessin at The Juilliard School, Sergei Babayan at the Cleveland Institute of Music and received further guidance from Karl-Heinz Kammerling at the Hochschule für Musik Hannover in Germany. Renowned as a presenter, curator, and educator, she is the Founder and Artistic Director of Philadelphia Young Pianists’ Academy (PYPA). She serves on the piano faculty at Temple University in Philadelphia. Ching-Yun Hu is a Steinway Artist. www.chingyunhu.com

Workshop Artists

EVA GEVORGYAN GABRIELA MONTERO

JOHN ZION

John Zion serves as the Managing Director of MKI Artists, one of the leading classical music management agencies in the United States where he directs the careers of a prestigious roster of artists, ensembles, and composers. He is also a cofounder of OurConcerts.live that produced and streamed more than 300 concerts during the pandemic and continues to provide access to live music to audiences around the world.

Also an active consultant, John works with artists, administrators, and arts organizations on career development, project management, and digital marketing. John serves on the board of Chamber Music America and has guest lectured and presented on arts-related issues at the Colburn School of Music, University of Michigan, Manhattan School of Music, Banff Centre, APAP|NYC, and Chamber Music America’s National Conference. He was named one of the “Rising Stars in the Performing Arts” by Musical America in 2012 and received a BM in Violin Performance from the Hartt School of Music.

Education and Community

PIANO CLEVELAND LIVE

Piano Cleveland Live brought the piano out of the concert hall and into the community! These outdoor pop-up concerts showcased Cleveland’s best musicians as they presented a mix of catchy piano tunes in the open air. Piano Cleveland Live events are always free and open to the public.

SATURDAY, JUNE 3RD AT 5:30PM at Van Aken District

THURSDAY, JUNE 8TH AT 5:30PM at Crocker Park

FIRST ROUND WATCH PARTIES

Friends and neighbors experienced the exceptional artistry of these young pianists on the big screen! At these community events, we screened selections of the exquisite First Round of the competition, hosted by a leader in the local piano world. Audiences enjoyed piano-themed activities and delicious snacks while they learned about the music and what it’s like to be a contestant.

THURSDAY, JUNE 22ND AT 5:00PM at Beachwood Community Center

THURSDAY, JUNE 29TH AT 5:00PM at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

CONTESTANTS IN THE COMMUNITY

Don’t miss your chance to catch these amazing young artists right in your own backyard! Finalists from our 2023 CIPC for Young Artists hit the road to bring the concert to you. These free performances are your chance to hear the finalists performing solo piano works before they compete for our top prizes in the Chamber and Concerto Final Round!

THURSDAY, JULY 6TH AT 7:30PM at Guzzetta Hall University of Akron

FRIDAY, JULY 7TH AT 2:00PM at Tri-C Metro Campus Theatre

SATURDAY, JULY 8TH AT 2:00PM at Temple-Tifereth Israel

Engagement at Piano Cleveland

PIANO AND KEYBOARD DONATION PROGRAM

The piano is one of the most musically-accessible instruments— without a single lesson, almost everyone can play a melody on the piano. However, due to its size and expense, the instrument is physically and financially inaccessible for many. The Piano and Keyboard Donation Program aims to break down these barriers by re-homing pianos and keyboards to local students in need. To donate or request an instrument, please visit pianocleveland.org.

Since the program started in 2021, Piano Cleveland has donated 22 acoustic pianos and 13 full-sized keyboards to schools, students and organizations in need.

IN-SCHOOL PROGRAMS AT CLEVELAND METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT

Piano Cleveland provides a variety of in-school and after-school programming at Cleveland Metropolitan School District. From the musical storytelling of PianoKids Stories to the songwriting exercises of Keys to Read, students of all ages and abilities can discover the joys of the piano in its many forms.

AFTER-SCHOOL PIANOLAB PROGRAM

Launched in January 2023, the PianoLab program offered after-school group keyboard instruction using a stateof-the-art keyboard lab for children enrolled at Paul Dunbar Elementary, a Cleveland Metropolitan School District elementary school on Cleveland’s near west side. For 10 weeks, students in grades K-8 were immersed in high-quality keyboard instruction and were provided Casio keyboards to take home and practice. By the end of the program, 15 students graduated the first semester of instruction. These students will have the option to continue their studies with the second semester of PianoLab when they return to school in the fall.

Special thanks to our Education and Community Engagement sponsors:

2,200

35 students engaged in education programming

instruments donated since 2021, including 22 acoustic pianos and 13 full-sized keyboards

Event Sponsors

We are so grateful to the following foundations and corporations for their support of the 2023 Cleveland International Piano Competition and Institute for Young Artists.

TABLEAUX

BOURRÉE

FANTASIE

CO-CHAIRS

Lori Bakaeen

Mimy Tong

GALA COMMITTEE

Suzanne Blaser

Jill Clark

Kathy Coleman

Sue Corsaro

Barbara A. Davis

Linda Glynias

Ted Good

Teresa Good

Iris Harvie

Linda McDonald, Ph.D.

Debbie Neale

Mary Pahk Omotoye

Beth Rankin

Nancy Sin

Martha Towns

Clair de Lune Gala

The Clair de Lune Gala celebrates the culmination of the 2023 Cleveland International Piano Competition and Insitute for Young Artists as the newly-awarded Medalists perform a whimsical selection of French classics alongside their mentors. This evening of moonlight and magic is presented by the Cleveland Clinic Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute and held in honor of Dr. Gösta and Ninna Pettersson.

We’d like to extend a special thank you to Marianne and Christian Bernadotte for their support of Konstantin Soukhovetski who created the evening’s beautiful transcriptions.

Sponsors

FANTASIE

Zeda Blau

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.

InterContinental Cleveland

Kaulig Giving

KeyBank

Beth and Clay Rankin

Astri Seidenfeld

Steinway Piano Gallery Cleveland

Herb and Jody Wainer

Stephen and Penni Weinberg

Morry and Judy Weiss

BALLADE

Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP

Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP

Gertrude K. and Homer D. W. Chisholm

CM Wealth Advisors

First National Bank

Mady Friedman and Norman Levin

Goodyear

Jones Day

Cookie and Herb Marcus

Linda McDonald, Ph.D.

Mr. Charles Michener and Mrs. Marguerite B. Humphrey

Peter and Sue Osenar

Mrs. Alfred M. Rankin

Stern Advertising

The University of Akron

ÉTUDE

Anne B. and Richard S. Ames

Dr. Faisal and Mrs. Lori Bakaeen

BakerHostetler

Suzanne Blaser

Jill and Paul Clark

Kathleen A. Coleman

Diane Collier and Robert Gura

Robert A. and Susan H. Conrad

Joe and Sue Corsaro

Linda and Manuel Glynias

Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP

Mrs. Graham Hall

John and Lori Herman

Bonnie and Bill Ivancic

Kent State University College of the Arts

Peta Moskowitz

One Seven

George H. L. and Carol Arnold Porter

Enid and David Rosenberg

Margaret and Larry Singerman

Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel T. Smith

Dr. Michael and Mrs. Mimy Tong

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Towns

Weinberg Capital Group

September 22 - October 8, 2023 / Hanna Theatre

October 20 - November 5, 2023 / Hanna

Northeast Ohio’s Favorite Holiday Tradition

The Famous Hercule Poirot Mystery

AGATHA CHRISTIE’S MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

February 9 - March 3, 2024 / Hanna Theatre

Shakespeare’s Uproarious Battle of the Sexes

THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR

March 22 - April 7, 2024 / Hanna Theatre

William Shakespeare

Our Generous Donors

INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT

Institutional Support

Piano Cleveland is extremely grateful to the following governmental sources, foundations, and corporations that make our work possible. This list includes gifts and pledges received from January 1, 2022 through May 1, 2023 as outright donations, in-kind gifts, and/or attendance at fundraising events.

Foundation and Government Support

$100,000 and above

Cuyahoga Arts and Culture

$50,000-$99,999

Cleveland Foundation

The George Gund Foundation

Horizons Fund

The Venner Family Foundation

Penni & Steve Weinberg Family Fund at the Joseph and Florence Mandel Family Foundation

$25,000-$49,999

Paul M. Angell Family Foundation

Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation

The Wheeler Foundation

$10,000-$24,999

The B. Charles and Jay G. Ames Foundation

William O. and Gertrude Lewis Frohring Foundation

Florence Kahane Goodman Family Donor Advised Fund^

Leonard and Joan Horvitz Foundation

Leonard Krieger Fund of the Cleveland Foundation

The Roy Minoff Family Fund^

David and Inez Myers Foundation

The Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation

Morry & Judith Weiss Philanthropic Fund^

$5,000-$9,999

Cleveland Israel Arts Connection^

Robert R. and Gay C. Cull Family Foundation

$2,500-$3,499

Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation

$1,000-$2,499

Jeff and Jodi Gottlieb Donor Advised Fund^

Lorin and Alan Gottlieb Family Donor Advised Fund^

Stephen & Judith Kovach Philanthropic Fund^

The Milton and Tamar Maltz Family Foundation

S. Livingston Mather Charitable Trust

Michel Family Foundation

George A. Misencik Living Trust

The Albert B. & Audrey G. Ratner Family Foundation

Reyzis Family Foundation

Turtle Plastics Foundation

$500-$999

Bernadotte Charitable Fund

The Clearstead Foundation

Fox Family Foundation

Michael & Shari Perlmuter Donor Advised Fund^

Rosencrans Family Foundation

Robert L. and Eileen C. Sill Philanthropic Fund^

Marjorie Simon Donor Advised Fund^

The Triple T Foundation

$100-$499

Marilyn M. Bedol Philanthropic Fund^

Ann G. Freimuth Philanthropic Fund^

Peter L. & Barbara Y. Galvin Family

Philanthropic Fund^

Marion C. and William B. Risman Family

Philanthropic Fund

Tricia L. and Robert G. Risman Family

Philanthropic Fund

Joseph H. and Ellen B. Thomas Foundation

^ Generously hosted at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland

Corporate Support

$50,000-$99,999

Clampco, Inc.

$25,000-$49,999

Cleveland Clinic Sydell and Arnold Miller

Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute

Cleveland Institute of Music

Kaulig Giving

Steinway Piano Gallery Cleveland

$10,000-$24,999

Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.

CM Wealth Advisors

The Equity Engineering Group, Inc.

InterContinental Hotels of Cleveland

Jones Day

KeyBank

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.

The University of Akron

$5,000-$9,999

Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan and Aronoff, LLP

First National Bank

Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP

Kent State University

One Seven

Stern Advertising

$3,500-$4,999

BakerHostetler

Glidden House

Hyster-Yale Materials Handling Inc.

Zinner & Co. LLP

$2,500-$3,499

Anonymous

$1,000-$2,499

Hughie’s Event Production Services

McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal & Liffman Co., LPA

Music and Drama Club

Thyme Catering Co.

Our Generous Donors

Peggy and Thomas Demitrack

$3,500-$4,999

$500-$999

Glenmede

$100-$499

Apple

Cleveland Council on World Affairs

McMaster-Carr

INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT

Individual Support

Piano Cleveland is extremely grateful to the following individuals who make our work possible. This list includes gifts and pledges received from January 1, 2022 through May 1, 2023 as outright donations, in-kind gifts, and/or attendance at fundraising events.

Leadership Society

$100,000 and above

Linda and Jim Venner

Herb and Jody Wainer

$50,000-$99,999

Astri Seidenfeld

Stephen and Penni Weinberg

$25,000-$49,999

Ms. Jan R. Lewis

Beth and Clay Rankin

Morry and Judy Weiss

Betsy and Tom Wheeler

$10,000-$24,999

Anne B. and Richard S. Ames

William P. Blair III†

Zeda Blau

Brenda and Marshall Brown

Gertrude K. and Homer D. W. Chisholm

Jill and Paul Clark

Kathleen Coleman

Robert Conrad

Terry DeBacco

Raffaele Di Lallo and David Reimer

Regina and Gregg Eisenberg

Michael Frank and Pat Snyder†

Mady Friedman and Norman Levin

Dr. Edward S. Godleski

Florence Goodman

James Graham and David Dusek

Ida and Irwin Haber

John and Lori Herman

Richard Horvitz and Erica Hartman-Horvitz

Bonnie and Bill Ivancic

Dr. Linda McDonald

Mr. and Mrs. Peter R. Osenar

Dr. Gösta and Ninna Pettersson

Clara T. Rankin

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Schwarz

Mary and Nathaniel Smith

Claudia Woods and David Osage

$5,000-$9,999

Anonymous (2)

Edward Addicott

Mark and Masha Andreini

Helen† and Gene Beer

Christian and Marianne Bernadotte

Suzanne R. Blaser

Brian and Gretchen Colleran

Mr. Robert A. Conrad and Susan H. Conrad, Ed.D.

Joseph and Susan Corsaro

Barbara Ann Davis

Char and Chuck Fowler

Iris and Tom Harvie

Mady Friedman and Norman Levin

Jeffrey and Norma Glazer

Roe Green

Thomas Hartshorne

Cynthia Knight

Mark and Ellen Levine

Cookie and Herb Marcus

Elaine and Beno Michel MD

Charles Michener and Marguerite Humphrey

Mrs. Roland Moskowitz

Debbie Neale

Daniel and Linda Silverberg

Jan Stern

Jeff and Sue Weiler

Diana Wendy

Robin and Luke Baum

Lloyd Max Bunker and Anthony Bianchi

Diane L. Collier and Robert J. Gura

Rand and Beth Curtiss

Rebecca F. Dunn

Nancy Griffith

Charles A. and Donna Nemer

George H.L. and Carol Arnold Porter

Noha and Philip Ryder

Jeffrey and Celia Sinclair

Margaret and Larry Singerman

Dr. Wulf and Moira Utian

Donors

$2,500-$3,499

Mark Avsec and Yvette Williams

Faisal and Laurice Bakaeen

Irad and Rebecca Carmi

Avroy and Roslyn Fanaroff

Stephen H. Gariepy and Nancy Sin

Robert Goss

Howard and Sandi Hoffman

Peter and Susi Meisel

Kenneth and Patricia Nilsestuen

Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Pendleton

Michael and Mimy Tong

Rose Wong and Bernard Lee

Daniel and Ellen Zelman

$1,000-$2,499

Edward Alix

Sarah Baley

Brent and Ann Ballard

Laura Bauschard

Francine and Jules Belkin

James E. Bennett III and Kathie Brandt

Laura and John Bloomberg

Michael and Carlotta Boeschstein

Ruth Anna Carlson and Albert Leonetti

Reneé and Kerry Chelm

Mr. and Mrs. William Colvin

Karen and Kenneth Conley

Marti and Jeff Davis

Randeep Dhiman

David and Frances Dickenson

Bruce Dunbar

David and Marilyn Elk

Gerald and Sara Jane Goldstein

Jeff and Jodi Gottlieb

Lorin and Alan Gottlieb

Mr. and Mrs. Graham Hall

Seth and Lilli Harris

Paul and Janet Havener

Stephen and Amy Hoffman

Brian and Gina Jeckering

Betty and John Kemper

John and Christine Knific

Eric and Emily Ludwig

Milton and Tamar Maltz

Megan Mehalko

Mr.† and Mrs. A. Malachi Mixon III

Nicholas and Anne Ogan

Linda and John Olejko

Alfred and Viki Rankin

Hedy Rapeport and Jim Irwin

Albert B. and Audrey G. Ratner

Marjorie Reimer

Michael and Zoya Reyzis

Barbara S. Robinson†

Michael and Mikki Rocker

David and Enid Rosenberg

Peter and Jocelyn Saltz

Jerry and Louise Seligman

Paul and Divya Sequeira

Dr. Jordan and Jeanne Tobin

Carol Vandenberg

Karen Wagner

Margaret Wat

Dan Weidenthal

Peter and Laurie Weinberger

Neil Weinberger

James and Debra Wert

Barbara and David Wolfort

Donald and Katie Woodcock

$500-$999

Dale and Susan Bass

Jeffrey and Margie Biggar

Edgar and Elizabeth Boles

James and Mary Bright

Jeanette G. Brown

Lesley and Stephen Brown

Frances Seiberling Buchholzer

Barry and Betty Clifford

Dr. Diane M. De Grazia

Nancy and Richard Dotson

Robert Fischer and Kristin French

Dr. Sanford A. and Ms. Melissa Fox

Patricia Franklin

Joy E. Garapic

Teresa and Ted Good

Martha S. Harding

Linda and James Haynes

Jeffrey Higerd

Martin and Maria Hoke

David and Linda Holzheimer

Peter Lawson Jones and Lisa Payne

Kenneth and Audrey Koblitz

Julianne Kurdila

Anthony and Lilly LaPlaca

Dick and Barbara Lederman

Norma Lerner

Bridget MacMillan and Dave DiCicco

Peter and Ellen Nordell

Richard and Cheri Pace

Amanda Parker

Michael and Julie Pasternak

Brent and Trudy Patmos

Michael and Shari Perlmuter

Cathy Pollard and Alan Markowitz

Chuck and Kris Riley

Robert and Tricia Risman

Robert and Barrie Rosencrans

Michael Ruffing

Mary K. Schneider

Drs. Joanne and Michael Schwartz

Eileen Sill

Marjorie Simon

Dr. Daniel Simon and Dr. Marcy Schwartz

Mrs. Linda Cornell Smythe

Steve Szilagyi and Jodi Kanter

Jim and Jill Taylor

Martha and Edward Towns

Ronald and Robyn Ullman

MaryLou Vermerris and Jim Pivarski

Drs. Felix and Inna Vilinsky

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Weltman

Steven and Trudy Wiesenberger

John and Peg Zitzner

$300-$499

Douglas Bunker

Younjung Cha and Dr. Justin Guan

Ryan Cross

Faye L. D’Amore

Ruth A. DiMare

Linda Harper

Erica Hughes

Robert and Susan Hurwitz

Linda Lee

Stephen and Lillian Levine

Kurt and Mary Anne Liljedahl

Harriet McLeod

Charlene Moon

Grafton Nunes and Effie Tsengas

Mrs. Margaret B. Ocepek

Joseph and Karen Peter

Dr. Linda Robertson

Alex and Raffaela Rokakis

Roger and Cheri Shumaker

Karen Strang

Drs. Pierre and Sophiè van der Westhuizen

Mr. Patrick Warczak, Jr.

Steve and Ellen Young

$200-$299

Steve and Maria Alex

Victoria Anderson

Bonnie M. Baker

Marilyn Bedol

Marcie Bergman and Alan Rauss

Dr. Erol and Laura Beytas

Charles and Christy Bittenbender

Vincent Black and Roger Barnhard

Robin Blossom

Carole Brown

Ellen B. Cohn & Steven L. Cohn

Laurie Coyle

Gary Davis

Vladimir and Luba Deninzon

Peter and Margaret Dobbins

Fred and Kathy Eisner

Chris Fornadel

Traci Forrester

Mark and Judy Frankel

Greg and Kathy Freeh

Ann Freimuth

Ann and Bob Gillespie

Dale and Janice Good

Robert Hale

Lawrence and Linda Hatch

Wade Farley and Bettyann Helms

Ann Highley

Don and Lynda Insul

Harriet Jakob

Michael and Nella Kamerman

Maxine Karns

Kregg Kish

Sue Ellen Korach

Michael Lederman and Sharmon Sollitto

Daniel Gilbert and Donna Lee

Richard and Susan Leiken

Dr. Stephen and Lillian Levine

Susan and James Loveman

Theresa and John Minelli

David Muniak

Kurt and Laura Nisi

Wayne Pearsall

Stephen Petras

Roger and Alison Rankin

Mr. and Mrs. Clifford A. Reeves, Jr.

Richard and Joan Rivitz

Stewart and Bonnie Roll

Irving and Ileen Rosner

Donald Bingham Schmitt

Lisa Shikora

Richard Shirey

Sam and Sandy Smith

Bill Stigelman

Joel and Ginny Stolz

Maryann Thomas

Joe and Ellen Thomas

Susan Van Vorst

Marilyn Weiss

Gregory Wilson

$100-$199 Anonymous

Carol Abrams

Sarah Anderson

Les Artman

Dr. Mayukh Babu and Dr. Christina Trillis

Anthony Bacevice

Lynne Bajec

Mitchell Balk

Elaine B. Bercu

Our Generous Donors

John Blaser

David and Vivian Bowditch

Catherine and Nathan Brulport

Dr. Dale and Susan Cowan

Rosemary Deioma

Susan Delaney

Jeanine Donaldson

Ann Dornback

Gene and Eileen Drust

Emily and Howard Edelstein

Edward Erbach

Joel and Julie Rabin Falck

Carmel Fantelli

Barbara Y. Galvin

Richard and Diane Gent

Ralitsa Georgieva-Smith

David Gilson

Faye Glazer

Carol N. Gray

Tom and Gretchen Green

Mary Ann and Richard Greiner

Gail Grizzell

Tom and Rachel Heines

Sofia Henry

Naoko Hosoi

Jing Hu

Jim and Jane Jenkins

Sean and Marta Kelleher

Ursula Korneitchouk

Philip and Judy Kushner

Susan and Howard Levin

Mrs. Joan C. Long

Claudia Mateescu

Lloyd and Noreen Mazur

Virginia McCormac

Tim Mcdonnell

Terrence and Karen McHugh

Cathy and Tilden Mendelson

Stanley W. Morgenstern

Bonnie Morosi

Ron and Judy Neuger

Jeanne and Tony Paras

Virginia Perkins

Lawrence Peskin

Howard and Sally Price Ross

Mrs. Marjorie I. Roth

Mr. and Mrs. Barry Sands

Theresa Dye Schoettler

Glenn E. Schreiber

Amy Shurtz

Jay and Toby Siegel

Cynthia and Larry Snider

Paul E. Staker

Jonathan and Catherine Stamler

Robert and Renae Strohmeyer

Frederick and Betsy Stueber

Ari Terjanian

Kevin Timm

Isabel Trautwein

Frank Turk

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Uria

Teresa White

Sasha Yasinow

Philip Young

Dr. Richard E. and Mrs. Mary Zigmond

Endowment Fund

Piano Cleveland is grateful to the following individuals for giving to the endowment fund to aid in our continued growth. These contributions have a long-lasting impact on the future of Piano Cleveland and the Cleveland International Piano Competition. Gifts to the endowment fund include both general endowment support and named endowment support.

$250,000 and Above

Anonymous

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Manuel†

$100,000 - $249,999

Dr. and Mrs. John A. Flower†

Linda and James Venner

$25,000 - $99,999

Horizons Fund

The Marilyn and Sheldon MacLeod Estate

Mr. and Mrs. Peter R. Osenar

Frank H. and Nancy L. Porter Fund at the Cleveland Foundation

Astri Seidenfeld

The Vincent K. and Edith H. Smith Memorial Trust

$10,000 - $24,999

Anne B. and Richard S. Ames

William P. Blair III†

Rita W. Buchanan†

Robert and Eunice Bray

The Cairns Family Foundation

Gertrude K. and Homer D. W. Chisholm

Jill and Paul Clark

Barbara Evenchik†, in memory of Marvin Evenchik

Dr. and Mrs. Bruce Evenchik, in memory of Barbara Evenchik

The William O. and Gertrude Lewis Frohring Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. William V. Ivancic, in memory of Barbara Evenchik

Dr. and Mrs.† Richard S. Kaufman

Michael and Zoya Reyzis

$5,000 - $9,999

Peggy and Thomas Demitrack

Mrs. Roland Moskowitz

Dr. and Mrs. Wulf H. Utian

$1,000 - $4,999

Laura Bauschard

Zeda Blau

Alice and Don† Cairns

Brian and Gina Jeckering

Teresa and Ted Good

Mr.† and Mrs. Joseph A. Harrison

Stanley W. Morgenstern, in memory of Claire F. Morgenstern

Bonnie and Dieter Myers†

Kenneth and Patricia Nilsestuen

Dr. Gösta and Ninna Pettersson

Jack D. Strang

Carole Hershey Walters

Jeffry and Susan Weiler

$100 - $999

Anonymous

Berkshire Eye Center

Kitty Davis Blom†

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen R. Brown

Cataract Laser Center

Oscar L. Crawford

Rand and Beth Curtiss

Allyn and John Davies

Judith Fowler

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Gaul, Jr.

Graham Grund†

Iris and Tom Harvie

Hermes Foundation

Martha Joseph†

June Kosich

William† and Hilda Mattlin

Lee Maxwell and Michael Prunty

Mr. and Mrs.† George Milbourn

Barbara S. Robinson†

Mr. and Mrs. Victor J. Scaravilli

Dr. and Mrs. William Sheldon

Marie Strawbridge†

Richard Tomsick and Mery deHaas Tomsick

Martha and Ed Towns

Mr. and Mrs. Edwin S. Weiner

Martha Joseph Society

Martha Joseph played a pivotal role in the creation of the Robert Casadesus International Piano Competition, which ultimately became the Cleveland International Piano Competition we know today. Her voice was among several that sought to create an international music event for Cleveland, but hers was the steadiest, the most practical, and the most visionary. Martha’s quiet authority was felt throughout the Casadesus years, through the transition to the Cleveland International Piano Competition, and until her death in 2006. For more than 20 years, she dedicated herself in many ways to ensure the future of a then fledgling organization. Piano Cleveland continues to thrive in large measure due to her vision, commitment, and deeply felt love of classical music.

The Martha Joseph Society honors individual patrons who have made lifetime contributions of $100,000 or more to Piano Cleveland and the Cleveland International Piano Competition. These generous individuals have had a significant and longterm impact on the stability and growth of the organization. The leadership and altruistic commitment of these patrons helps to ensure that the artistry of young pianists from around the world is heard and enjoyed by our audiences in the Greater Cleveland Community and around the world, and that the friendships and goodwill created through the competition process will last for their lifetimes.

Zeda Blau

Gertrude K. and Homer D. W. Chisholm

Jill and Paul Clark

Robert Conrad

Dr. and Mrs. John Flower†

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Manuel†

Mr.† and Mrs. A. Malachi Mixon III

Mr. and Mrs. Peter R. Osenar

George H.L. Porter and Carol Arnold Porter

Clara T. Rankin

Mr. and Mrs. Albert B. Ratner

Michael and Zoya Reyzis

Astri Seidenfeld

Mr. and Mrs. George Sievila†

Linda and James Venner

Herb and Jody Wainer

Legacy Society

The Legacy Society honors donors who support Piano Cleveland and the Cleveland International Piano Competition through their wills or other types of deferred giving. Piano Cleveland extends its gratitude to Legacy Society members for their commitment to ensuring the future of the organization.

Anonymous (3)

Rita Buchanan †

Mark H. Curley

Rand M. Curtiss

Elizabeth Day

Marjorie Day†

Raffaele Di Lallo and David Reimer

William R. Joseph†

Karen and Les† Knowlton

Marilyn and Sheldon MacLeod†

Kenneth and Patricia Nilsestuen

Cynthia Reece

Claudia Woods and David Osage †Deceased

Board of Directors and President s Council

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERS

Beth Rankin CHAIR

Linda L. McDonald, Ph.D.

FIRST VICE CHAIR

Stephen H. Gariepy

SECOND VICE CHAIR

Bonnie Ivancic SECRETARY

Robin L. Baum

TREASURER

Herb Wainer

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR

Zeda W. Blau

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mark Andreini

Mark Avsec

Sarah Baley

William P. Blair III†

Catherine Good Brulport

Kathleen A. Coleman

Terry DeBacco

Peggy Demitrack

David Dusek

Regina Eisenberg

Iris Harvie

John E. Herman

Charles Michener

Charles A. Nemer

Kenneth R. Nilsestuen

Linda Olejko

Alec Pendleton

Ninna Pettersson

David J. Reimer

Astri Seidenfeld

Paul Sequeira

Mary Smith

Jan Stern

Wulf Utian

Jeffry L. Weiler

Rose Wong

HONORARY DIRECTORS

J. Donald Cairns†*

Jill Goubeaux Clark*

Rand Curtiss*

James E. Gibbs*

Ted Good*

Teresa Good*

Malachi† and Barbara Mixon

Dieter H. Myers†* and Bonnie Myers†

Jeffry L. Weiler*

Edwin Weiner†*

*Past Chair

PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL

Suzanne R. Blaser, Co-Chair

Lloyd Max Bunker, Co-Chair

Ed Alix

Anne B. Ames

James J. Balaguer

Lesley M. Brown

Gertrude K. Chisholm

Robert Conrad

Joseph G. Corsaro

Dr. Mark H. Curley

Patricia Gaskins

Jeanette Gaul

Martha H. Hale

Janet W. Havener

Vera Holczer

Gina Jeckering

Ronnie Lerner

M. Lee Maxwell

Hedy Milgrom

Stanley W. Morgenstern

Peta Moskowitz

Amy B. Mullin

Debbie Neale

Joan Ostendorf

Carol Arnold Porter

George H.L. Porter

Rayka Radivoyevitch

Clara T. Rankin

Michael Reyzis

Zoya Reyzis

Linda Rocker Silverberg

William C. Sheldon MD

Susan Stagno

Steve Szilagyi

Ryan J. Terrano

Jeanne Tobin

Rick Tomsick

Martha C. Towns

James R. Venner

Linda Anne Venner

Elaine Weiner

EX OFFICIO

PRESIDENT

Yaron Kohlberg

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dr. Marissa Glynias Moore

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Paul Schenly

DIRECTOR EMERITUS

Karen Knowlton

Dr. Pierre van der Westhuizen

ARTISTIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Sergei Babayan

Jerome Lowenthal

Alexander Ghindin

Ursula Oppens

Richard Goode

Antonio Pompa-Baldi

Daejin Kim

Margarita Shevchenko † Deceased

We proudly support Piano Cleveland for its commitment to helping young pianists develop their unique artistic voices.

bakerlaw.com

Benesch is a proud supporter of Piano Cleveland Cleveland International Piano Competition

and the

www.beneschlaw.com

AUDIENCE COMMITTEE

Zeda Blau, Chair

Mark Andreini

Gertrude K. Chisholm

Terry DeBacco

Ted Good

Teresa Good

Bonnie Ivancic

Michael Ruffing

Noha Ryder

Mary Smith

Jeanne Tobin

Martha Towns

Debbie Yasinow

CONTESTANT HOST COMMITTEE

David Reimer, Chair

Raffaelle Di Lallo, Chair

Laura Beytas

Ralitsa Georgieva-Smith

Kathy and Dan Gisser

Beverly Ingram

Dr. Katherine Jackson

Jay Leitson

Martha Towns

DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

John E. Herman, Chair

Linda L. McDonald, Ph.D., Chair

Anne B. Ames

Sarah Baley

Zeda Blau

Catherine Good Brulport

Regina Eisenberg

Linda Olejko

Beth Rankin

Astri Seidenfeld

Jan Stern

Jeanne Tobin

Herb Wainer

Committee Members

EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Iris Harvie, Chair

Catherine Good Brulport

Peggy Demitrack

Vera Holczer

Linda Lee

Madeline Levitz

Judith Ryder

Paul Sequeira

Irwin Shung

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Beth Rankin, Chair

Robin L. Baum

Zeda Blau

Suzanne Blaser

Lloyd Max Bunker

Kathleen A. Coleman

Stephen H. Gariepy

Bonnie Ivancic

Iris Harvie

John E. Herman

Linda L. McDonald, Ph.D.

Herb Wainer

FINANCE AND INVESTMENT COMMITTEE

Robin L. Baum, Chair

Kenneth R. Nilsestuen

Stanley W. Morgenstern

Linda Olejko

Peter Osenar

Alec Pendleton

Cindy Resch

Paul Sequeria

Mary Smith

Wulf Utian

Herb Wainer

Jeffry L. Weiler

GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

Kathleen A. Coleman, Chair

Regina Eisenberg

Stephen H. Gariepy

Debbie Neale

Charles A. Nemer

David Reimer

Jeffry L. Weiler

JURY HOST COMMITTEE

Zeda Blau, Chair

Max Bunker

Bonnie Ivancic

Peta Moskowitz

Astri Seidenfeld

Rose Wong

STRATEGIC PLANNING STEERING COMMITTEE

Beth Rankin, Chair

Sarah Baley

Zeda Blau

Jill Goubeaux Clark

Stephen H. Gariepy

Linda L. McDonald, Ph.D.

Alec Pendleton

Paul Sequeira

Special Thanks

PRODUCTION TEAM

Mark Dumm

Alan Bise

Max Porter

STEINWAY HALL BEIJING

Emily Hao

Zhuye Lu

Chen Yongru

Yin Hezhen

STEINWAY PIANO

GALLERY CLEVELAND

Catherine Brulport

Nick Schrantz

MIRALLES SAAL

Karola Perry

Leoni Leitz

Tim-Oliver Thede

STEINWAY & SONS LONDON

Wiebke Greinus

Simon Weir

Tristan Hackney

Sue Newman

STEINWAY HALL NEW YORK

Vivian Chiu

James Sapione

Alexandra Scheer

Luke Dumm

STEINWAY PIANO

GALLERY SEOUL

Harry Kim

Jin Choi

Kyung-Wook Kim

Ga-eul Kim

Jiwon Jung

CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF MUSIC

Scott Harrison

Donna Yoo

Jennifer Call

Fred Peterbark

Andrew Hosler

Rachel Rose

Kathleen Drohan

Abigayle Williams

LANG LANG INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FOUNDATION

Lukas Barwinski-Brown

Angeline Lau

Ron Boling

Oli Rose

WEIBER CONSULTING

Wei Zhou

Yu Cao

PARTNERS

Rachel Wilson, Severance Music Center

Susan Merdler, Beachwood Community Center

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Theron Brown and Joe Leaman

Lisa Gallowitz and Jeff Judge, Cleveland Museum of Art

Jennifer Mendelson, Temple Tifereth Israel

Marc Reed and William Cole, Jr., University of Akron

Emanuela Friscioni, Cuyahoga Community College

Zsolt Bognár

Katherine Sucha

David Rothenberg

Gregory Wilson, Photographer

Tom Speaks and The Impact Group

Front Porch Solutions

ROLLING BACK INTO CLEVELAND THIS SEPTEMBER!

September 5 - 15, 2023

Don’t miss your chance to see pop-up concerts around Cleveland, when The Concert Truck rolls to fifteen outdoor locations across the city! This mobile concert venue will bring exciting performances to Playhouse Square, the Cleveland Metroparks, Lakewood Park, and more!

Establish Cleveland as an International Piano Destination

We present innovative programming and international musical excellence that inspires local audiences while raising the global profile of our city.

Our Vision

Cultivate The Future of Piano Music in All Forms

We support the development of all pianists dedicated to shaping the musical landscape of tomorrow.

Invest In Our Community

We create experiences for piano enthusiasts of all ages, cultures, and socio-economic backgrounds that showcase the transformative power of music.

INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION. LOCAL IMPACT.