Thursday, July 18, 2024

Henry Courtney | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


Henry Courtney is a sophomore at the Orange County School of the Arts. He began playing the piano at age 4 and is currently studying with Craig Richey. His previous teachers were Margery Burger and Aleli Tibay. He is a Panel Honors winner of the Music Teachers’ Association of California (MTAC). He has garnered top prizes in the Southern California Junior Bach Festival (SCJBF) Regional Competition and Complete Works Audition, the California Association of Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT) Honors Competition and Contemporary Competition, the International Association of Professional Music Teachers (IAPMT) Concours International, and the Concordia Music Competition.

Henry is also a classical voice singer. He began singing when he was 7 years old with the All-American Boys Chorus. He has appeared in productions with the LA Opera and the Parnassus Society. This summer, he will participate in the music festival La Musica Lirica in Novafeltria, Italy.

Elegie in Eb Minor, op. 3, no.1, S. Rachmaninoff, 6:49

https://youtu.be/NbU0zDUKwv0

Sonata No. 17 in D Minor, op. 31, no. 2 (""Tempest""), I. Largo-Allegro, L. van Beethoven, 5:46

https://youtu.be/h8l-yAspd6Q

The Cat and the Mouse, A. Copland, 3:54

https://youtu.be/sHP4dgOZwus

Clara Zhang | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


Clara Zhang, 17, is a merit scholar at the Music Institute of Chicago, where she studies the piano with Dr. Matthew Hagle. 

Clara has performed extensively at piano concerts, chamber music recitals and music outreach programs. She has performed on the stages of Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, Ravinia’s Bennett Gordon Hall, Nichols Concert Hall, Chicago Culture Center, Northwestern University Galvin Recital Hall, and Indiana University Auer Hall. Clara was featured in the 2022-2023 Season Young Steinway Concert Series at the Illinois Skokie Library. In February 2024, Clara was invited to perform a solo concert on Chicago’s Classical Radio Station WFMT’s ‘Introductions’ program. 

Clara has won prizes and honors at the Illinois State Music Teachers Association Competition, the Walgreens National Concerto Competition, the Carmel Klavier International Piano Competition, the Piano Star International Piano Competition, the London Grand Prize Virtuoso International Piano Competition. As a winner of the Chicago Chamber Music Festival Concerto Competition, Clara has performed as a soloist with the Northeastern Illinois University Symphony Orchestra.

Clara is also an avid chamber musician, with extensive experiences playing with strings, flutes and saxophones.

In her spare time, Clara runs her ‘Music Ambassadors’ program with her musician friends, bringing classical music concerts to the doorsteps of senior communities. Since the start of the program in August 2022, ‘Music Ambassadors’ have brought more than 20 concerts to various senior communities in the greater Chicago area.

Prelude & Fugue in D Minor, WTC II, BWV 875, J.S Bach, 3:20

https://youtu.be/FzuOBC7vscc

Sonata No. 62 in Eb Major, Hob. XVI 52, Joseph Haydn, III. Presto, 4:23

https://youtu.be/ngOGAFYCZnA


David Sun | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


 David Sun, 17, is a junior at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South. David started learning the piano when he was six and currently studies with Rita Shklar at the Westminster Conservatory of Music. He has been named a prizewinner in numerous competitions in past years, such as the Westminster Conservatory's Achievement Award Competition, the NJMTA Young Musicians Competition, the Great Composers Competition Series competitions, and the International Music and Arts Society Competitions, among others. He has studied in masterclasses with pianists Awadagin Pratt, Seymour Bernstein, Daniel Epstein, and Natasha Paremski. David was accepted into and attended the Eastern Music Festival in 2023 and will be attending the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Piano Program this summer.

Etude in A minor Op 25 No. 11, Frédéric Chopin, 4'02",
https://youtu.be/GfDWYq9uRJw

Prelude & Fugue No. 3 in C-Sharp Major, BWV 848, WTC I, Johann Sebastian Bach, 3'48", https://youtu.be/cUDwibUkN_E

Ballade No. 2 in F major, Op. 38, Frédéric Chopin, 7'53",
https://youtu.be/Fb_vGaby6Sk

Zheng Hua Xia | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


Zhuang Zhuang”. That's me—yes, the nick name my folks bestowed upon me hoping I'd be as sturdy as an oak and as brilliant as Einstein. Instead, my earliest attempt at strength involved a dramatic showdown with a piano, where, in a fit of exasperation over a ridiculously difficult Liszt piece called La Campanella, I may have recreated the sound of a gong show gone wrong. My parents, ever supportive, assured me that my tendency to hammer the keys was just my Asperger’s peeking through—not full-blown, mind you, just a “tendency,” as the doctor put it.

Growing up shy and often the odd one out, I was that kid you found munching alone during lunch. But life has a funny way of turning tables, especially at a school talent show where, somehow, my Chopin etude wowed enough peers that they actually wanted to hang out with me! Making friends felt like discovering a new superpower, and I was hooked.

Driven by a burst of altruism and a hefty dose of naivety, I used my dad’s email (oops!) to launch a social website for classmates to strut their talents and snag some friends. My dad wasn’t thrilled when he found out—something about ""using personal credentials for public experiments""—and the school wasn’t a fan either. Shutdown ensued.

But my social experiments were far from over. Then came my ""Bach enlightenment."" Initially, I was all about the drama of Liszt and the romance of Chopin, dismissing Bach as old school—literally. But tackling his Prelude and Fugue in B-flat minor opened my eyes. Bach wasn’t just about notes; he was weaving parallel universes with his harmonies, making five distinct voices chat like old friends at a high school reunion.

I was buzzing to share my newfound Bach obsession, but turns out, rambling about music theory is a great way to clear a room. Not one to be deterred, I teamed up with my piano teacher and cooked up Social Experiment 2.0: a platform for fellow music nerds to dive deep into the harmonious world of Bach and beyond. Guess what? It clicked! Over 5,000 users are now using our app to unravel the mysteries of music theory.

Moving forward, my goal is to dive deeper into the music I play and the projects I undertake, exploring how they can reveal more about humanity itself. By skillfully blending the arts and sciences, I aim to express the profound and intense stories that unite us all. Music and science are not just about notes on a page or data in a lab; they are mirrors reflecting our collective experiences and emotions. Through these lenses, I hope to gain a better understanding of the world around us and connect more deeply with others. My journey into the harmonies of Bach and the structures of music theory has just begun, and I'm eager to see where this symphony of discovery takes me.


Jessica Wang | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


Jessica Wang, 17, is a Junior at the Magnet Program of Richard Montgomery High School in Maryland, USA. She has been playing piano for over 13 years. She is a student at Levine Music School in Washington DC. Jessica has won first places in numerous national and international piano competitions, such as Asian Music Associate Music (AAMS) International Piano Competition, VIVO International Music Competition, International Music Competition Bonn “Grand Prize Virtuoso”, Great Composers Competition (Best Chopin Performances), Concert Artists International Virtuoso Competition, Young Musicians Inspiring Change Global Piano Competition, Maryland State Music Teacher Association (MSMTA) Piano Solo Competition, Baltimore Music Teacher Association (BMTA) Helena Zurstadt Senior Piano Competition, Washington DC Music Teacher Association (WMTA) Hartman Piano Competition, and Northern Virginia Achievement Award Competition. She is also a top prizewinner at Knabe International Piano Competition, ENKOR International Music Competition, Thomas F. Hulbert International Piano Competition, Washington DC Ruth P. Cogen Concerto Competition, Virginia Robert Spencer Concerto Competition and many more. She has performed in Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, the US Department of State, the Hungary Embassy, the Bulgarian Embassy, and the George Mason Performing Arts Center. 

During the past summers, Jessica attended Indiana University Jacobs Summer Piano Academy, Boston University Tanglewood Institute and Brevard Music Center Piano Institute, and was awarded merit scholarships from these prestigious programs. She had masterclasses with renowned professors and world-class pianists. She is a frequent performer in local hospitals and senior living communities.  Besides piano, she is also an activate ballet dancer, performing in John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and many local communities.

1. Schumann Abegg Variations, Op. 1 [7:58]

https://youtu.be/33ERWvAQKRQ

2. Bach Prelude and Fugue No. 17 in A-flat Major BWV 862 [3:35]

https://youtu.be/R827ntiGHrQ

3. Kapustin 8 Concert Etudes, Op. 40: III. Toccatina [2:21]

https://youtu.be/w00FECeEMS0




Sarah Li | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


 Sarah Li, 17, began studying piano at the age of 4 under the tutelage of Tomoko Harada, to whom she continues to this day. Sarah developed a passion for music at an early age, making her Carnegie Hall debut at 6. Since then, she has gone on to win numerous piano competitions, including Steinway Society Classical Competition, New Jersey Music Teachers Association Young Musicians Competition, West Chester Pre-College Piano Competition, Bellagrande International Music Competition, American Virtuoso International Music competition and Radda Rise International Piano Competition. Outside of piano, Sarah enjoys playing violin, reading, and figure skating. 

Rhapsody in B Minor Op.79 No.1,  Johannes Brahms, 7'57"
https://youtu.be/Juag0PWUVyw

Rondo in A Minor Op.59, Dmitry Kabalevsky, 6'04"

Annette Lin | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition0


 Annette Lin is a classical pianist born and raised in Arcadia, California. She started piano lessons at the age of five and has since received honors from organizations like the Los Angeles International Liszt Competition and the Southern California Junior Bach Festival, as well as the Music Teachers’ Association of California, under which she is a member of the Young Artist’s Guild. Annette is a student of Jenny Shin and a participant at the Chamber Music Institute under the Colburn School, where she has previously studied with Jeff Lavner. A rising senior at Arcadia High School, she serves as the president of a creative writing club, as well as the sole editor of its literary magazine. Outside the academic realm, Annette writes poetry, collects dictionaries, and takes advantage of the student discounts offered at her local symphony orchestra. 

Piano Sonata No. 3 in C major, Op. 2, No. 3, iv. Allegro assai, Beethoven, 5:23

La Valse, Ravel, 11:52

Owen Smith | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition

 


Owen is 16 years old, attending Bergen Catholic High school. He started to learn piano when he was 5 years old. Owen has had perfect pitch and shown a love of music from an early age on. All the teachers listened to Owen always said he is extremely musical. He has started studying at Manhattan School of Music Pre College since 2017 when he was 9 years old, is a top student on dean’s list every year. He has won prizes at the concerto competition in the Manhattan School of Music Pre College. He also won top prize at International Grand Piano Competition in New York and Canadian international Music Competition, as well as Piano Teachers Congress of New York and New Jersey Music Teachers Association. 

Owen is passionate about performance and he enjoys share his music with the audiences. 

Owen lived in France from 2019 to 2022 and went to Middle school in France. He studied Piano at Lyon Conservatory and with Professor Rittner at Musik Hochschule in Freiburg. He had master classes at Mozarteum in Salzburg and master classes with Professor Jacques Rouvier in France. Owen is fluent in French and also speaks German. He plays Golf in the Golf team at his high school. 


J. S. Bach French Suite No.5 in G major, BWV 816  -  15:20


Schumann-Liszt - Widmung (Liebeslied)  - 4:15


Austin Moon | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


Austin Moon is a junior at Winston Churchill HS and has been playing piano for 11 years. He won the American Protege Competition and was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall NY

this May. He also won first place in the 2022 Piano Concerto Competition, performing with the New England Youth Ensemble with Dr. Preston Hawes. Austin has organized classical music benefit concert for the past 4 years and has been introducing classical music to his community.

Rodion Shchedrin Basso Ostinato

Shua Cheon | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


 Rondo capriccioso Opus 14, Mendelssohn

Duration: 6 min 28 sec

https://youtu.be/5K0BHfD4SKQ


Bella Chen | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


Bella Chen, age 12, is a student of Erna Gulabyan in northern California. Bella has participated and won awards in the Marilyn Mindell Piano Competition, MTAC Piano Concerto Competition, CAPMT Piano Concerto Competition, Enkor International Music Competition, Charleston International Music Competition, Elevato Stanza Junior Piano Competition, Bellagrande International Competition, and Junior Bach Festival. Some of her favorite composers include Schubert, Chopin, and Mendelssohn. As you can see, Bella is a romantic at heart. 

Although piano is Bella’s first love, she also enjoys singing with her girls choir and performing in school musicals. Another area in which Bella loves and excels is mathematics. She loves competing and solving complex mathematical puzzles. When she is not performing or composing at the piano, then she can be found singing or working out math solutions with enthusiasm. 

Bella is a bright, sweet, and witty individual who enjoys learning about important historical dates that coincide with her music pieces. 

1) concert etude no.3 liszt 6 mins


2) sonata opus 7 Grieg 5 mins


Stanley Hyun | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


Stanley’s piano journey started at age six. A 12 year old 6th grader from NJ, Stanley attends the Precollege program at Manhattan School of Music under the tutelage of Dr Kayoung An. Stanley is drawn to the dynamism and versatility of the piano. Stanley has performed at Weill Recital Hall and Zankel Hall in Carnegie Hall as well as at Merkin Hall, DiMenna Center, Greenfield Hall and Solomon Mikowsky Recital Hall. Over the past few years, Stanley earned first prize at VIVO International Music Competition, CIMC, PVMC, New York International Classical Music Competition, Bay Area Piano Competition, Young Pianist Competition of NJ, and Crescendo International Music Competition. Stanley earned second prize at the Camerata Artists International Competition and NLPA International Young Artists Competition. 

Outside of piano, Stanley enjoys computer programming, chess, digital art, traveling, reading, trying out the latest tech gadgets and hanging out with his friends. 

"Revolutionary" Etude, Op 10 No 12 in C Minor, Chopin, 3:15 
https://youtu.be/5roffd1uKH8?feature=shared


"The Lark", Glinka/Balakirev, 5:57

Sonata No 17, "Tempest", Op 31 No 2 in D Minor, III, Beethoven, 5:34

Claire Shih | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition

 Claire Shih began learning piano at the age of 5 and is currently studying music at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music pre-college program emphasizing piano.

Claire has won many international music competition awards such as  WPTA Finland International Piano Competition, Pacific International Piano Competition,  Glory Int’l Piano Competition and Canadian International Music Competition.

She was invited by the Junior Bach Festival Association to perform at BACH IN THE SUBWAYS. Claire was a winner at the Elite International Music Competition. As a winner, Shih performed at Carnegie Hall in Year 2023 and 2024. She is currently studying piano with Dr. Chia Lin Yang.

Claire enjoys playing piano very much, besides piano, Claire loves to swim, bike and run.

 Six Preludes, Op. 6 || https://youtu.be/Ety8XkvVPvk


Sophie Gang | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


 Sophie Gang is an accomplished and passionate young pianist. Born with an innate love for classical music, Sophie has dedicated a decade to honing her skills, resulting in an impressive array of achievements and recognitions.

Sophie's musical journey began at an early age, and she quickly distinguished herself as a young talented classical pianist. With the rigorous training under Stella Xu, Sophie emerged as an eight-time winner of the New Jersey Music Teachers Association (NJMTA) Young Musicians Competition and the Music Educators Association of New Jersey (MEA) Annual Piano Competitions. She was also a winner in Steinway Piano Competition.

Sophie's musical prowess also extends to her role as the founder and performer of the Vivace Youth Performing Group. She organizes and coordinates seasonal piano concerts at local senior centers and libraries, bringing the joy of music to the community.

Sophie Gang's unwavering dedication, steadfast commitment, and remarkable talent in music make her an endearing figure in her community.  Her consistent contributions enrich the lives of those around her.

Piano Sonata No. 2 in D minor Op. 14, Prokofiev, 6'42''

Sonata Op  27 No 2, 3rd Movement, Beethoven, 6'21'' 

Jenna Liang | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


Jenna Z Liang, 15 years old, born in Vancouver, Canada is currently a freshman at Phillips Academy Andover. She began playing piano since she was 4 and has since shown great passion and potential in music. After 11 years of consistent practicing every day, Jenna has grown into a rising young pianist. She learnt piano with Professor Jia Ning Kong at the Junior Department at the Royal College of Music in London when she studied at Wycombe Abbey School from 2020 to 2023. She is now learning piano with Ms. Isabella Li at the Preparatory School in New England Conservatory of Music. Jenna participated in many charity events and was a prizewinner of multiple Canadian and international piano competitions. She won the first place in the Crescendo International Competition and was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York, USA when she was 6 years old. She won third place at the National Final during the Canadian Music Competition(CMC) in 2017. In 2018, Jenna was invited to complete in the 26th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition for Children and Youth and was granted the Distinction prize in her age group. She was also one of the Canadian Young Artists Standards of Excellence Awards winners in 2018. Additionally, she achieved third prize in USA Musical & Art Exchange International Piano Festival in Philadelphia in 2019, and second Prize in North America Regional Final Round of Pacific Rim International Music Festival, Canada in 2021. Jenna successfully hosted her first Solo Piano Recital at Vancouver in 2021, and she was awarded the Associate Diploma (ARCT) with first class honors with distinction in 2022. She also participated in the BBC Young Musician in UK, 2022. In 2024, Jenna won the Excellence Award at the senior group of URI Piano Extravaganza Concerts & Competition. Jenna has participated in many international piano summer schools and festivals such as the Tchaikovsky Moscow Conservatory, Katowice Poland, the 22nd Casalmaggiore International Music Festival and Talent Music Summer Festival in Brescia, Italy, and the 2019 USA Musical & Art Exchange International Piano Festival in Philadelphia, USA. She has performed with the Rimski-Korsakov string quartet of St. Petersburg and gave her first concerto performance with Orchestra Citta'Di Grosseto,Itlay in 2019. 

Besides piano, Jenna is a news writer at The Phillipian at Phillips Academy Andover. She is also a passoniate dancer at her school. Her favorite sports are squash and lacorosse.

1,Nocturne in C minor, Op. 48, No. 1, Frederic Chopin, 6:07 minutes                         
2,Barcarolle in F sharp Major, Op 60, Frederic Chopin, 8:22 minutes

Aya Okimoto | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


 Aya is a piano student at the Punahou School under the instruction of Mr. Steven Casano. At ten years of age,  Aya entered her first piano competition, the 2019 Steinway Jr. Piano Competition, where she received 1st Prize. Aya has received multiple 1st Prize wins from the GCC (Best Chopin, Best Bach, Rising Talents of the World, and Artist of the Year). In August 2021, 2022, and 2023 she took 1st Prize in the Osaka International Music Competition (Hawai’i Regional Round). In 2023, she placed 1st in both Piano and Violin in the OIMC and HMTA Music Competition. Aya studies classical violin with Mr. Ignace Jang and Jazz violin from Mr. Duane Padilla. She enjoys attending Hawaii Youth Symphony (YS1) and PMI. Her most recent win was in the AVMC, where she won 1st prize and she performed at Carnegie Hall November 2023. Just recently, for her exemplary performance in the  BTHVN competition, she has been invited to perform in the Gala Concert in Vienna, Austria, in the Gläserner Saal of the Musikverein.

IG: @aya_music27, @wishmakers27



1) Concerto in D minor BWV 974 
Second and third movements. 
Bach/Marcello 

2) Piano Sonata in F major Hob., 1st movement. 
Haydn

3)  Etude-tableau op.33 no.8
Rachmaninoff

Junya Jiang | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


 Junya started playing piano at the age of 6, and has won numerous awards as she progresses on her journey. She has completed her ATCL at the age of 9, and has received distinction for her exam. She has participated in many local and international competitions, and in 2024, she has won Vienna Virtuoso first place and best performance award. 

The Lark by Glinka 6:21’

Montague and Capulets by Prokofiev  4:09’


Isabella Li | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


 I am Isabella Li from Melbourne Australia. I am 11 years old girl and study in primary school in Melbourne. I played piano and violin. Piano is my first instrument and it is my passion. When I am happy, I often play happy pieces like Valse. When I feel sad, I often play Nocturn etc. Hope you enjoy my playing.

1)Bela Bartok by Mikrokosmos #153 Duration 2 min

2)Slumber Song Op 124 No 16 by Robert Schumann Duration 4min

3)Valse in E minor Op Posth by Frederic Chopin Duration 3 min





Hannah Zou | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition

 Hannah Zou is 15 years old and a freshman at West-Windsor-Plainsboro High School North in New Jersey. She is currently studying piano with Professor Ingrid Clarfield, Westminster Choir College of Rider University. Starting at age 4, Hannah has won many awards in various piano competitions, including 1st place in the Vivo International Competition, a finalist at the Princeton Festival Piano Competition, and 2nd place in NJMTA Young Musicians Competitions. Besides piano, Hannah plays the cello as well and is a member of the New Jersey All State Orchestra.

Moment Musical in B-flat Minor, Op. 16 No. 1
Rachmaninoff 
8'06""

Toccata
Aram Kachaturian
5'22""

Eileen Zhuge | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


 Eileen Zhuge was born in 2009 and she is a 9th grader at Winston Churchill High School in Maryland. She started piano at 3 years old and violin at 5 years old. She has been in Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras for 6 years, and was concert master of Young Artists and assistant concert master of Symphony. In her free time, Eileen enjoys learning song covers and playing them with her friends.

(1) Sonata No. 8 in A Minor, K. 310, W. A. Mozart, 04:10,
https://youtu.be/u9FI6ywF3fY 

(2) Dumka, P. Tchaikovsky, 08:30,
https://youtu.be/St2kkwhKNNY

Katheryn Chan | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


 Katheryn (Katie) Chan, 13 years old, is a passionate young pianist from Chandler, Arizona. She started playing the piano at the age of four with Ms. Hong Zhu. She was the Arizona state winner for 2023 Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Competition, as well as a semifinalist at 2024 Kaufman International Youth Piano Competition. She was also the 1st place winner in many other competitions, including Steinway/Avanti Piano Competition, United States International Music Competition, Galaxie Y. International Competition, Arizona Young Artists Competition, and Young Musicians Concerto Competition organized by Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestras. Katie enjoys competitive speech and debate and science research. In her spare time, she also loves reading, tennis, and skiing.

1. La Leggierezza (Liszt, Franz, 5:20, https://youtu.be/aPfzonxSQNw)
2. Piano Sonata No.7, Op.10 No.3, i. (Beethoven, Ludwig van, 4:59, https://youtu.be/Z435wyxxSKs)
3. Prelude and Fugue, No. 21 (Johann Sebastian Bach, 3:14, https://youtu.be/gttrDxw3FJg)

Harvy Chang | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


 Harvy Chang is 15 years old. He started piano lessons at the age of 5. He has won multiple prizes across various categories at the US Open Music Competition and US International Open Music Compeition. Most recently, Harvy received the 2nd prize of show case solo in USOMC. Harvy also started playing trombone in middle school and is currently the principal Trombonist in the Senior Orchestra of California Youth Symphony and has been selected to California All-State Honor Band and Orchestra multiple times. Besides music, Harvy enjoys rubik's cubes, swimming, and training his golden retriever. 

Prelude from English Suite No. 2 in A Minor,, BWV 807, J. S. Bach 4:34

Tarantella in g minor from Années de pèlerinage II, Supplément, S. 162 by F. Liszt 9:48

Olivia Tu | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


 Olivia Tu is a 15-year old attending Lynbrook High School in San Jose, California. She has been playing piano since the age of six, and used to be under the tutelage of Susan Groves in Texas before moving to California, now studying under Professor Hans Boepple. She has been a prize-winner in regional and international piano competitions, including Chicago International Music Competition, WPTA Finland, Bellagrande, Henle, North Texas Young Artists, Texas TMTA (solo, performance), Great Composers 19th Century, and MTAC Solo Competition. She has received masterclasses from Gabor Farkas, Robert Shannon, Steven Spooner, Arthur Greene, and HieYon Choi. In addition, she plays violin in the California Youth Symphony and school Chamber Orchestra, attending CASMEC All-State in 2024. 


Alex Kim | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


 Alex Kim is in ninth grade at Mountain View High School in California. He currently studies with John McCarthy through the Pre-College program at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He showed a great interest in classical music from an early age and started studying piano at seven and violin at ten. Alex was selected as one of five finalists to compete in the US national division in the 2021 Music International Grand Prix. Additionally, Alex won first place in the American Protégé International Competition of Romantic Music in 2021 and 2023, and has performed at Carnegie Hall both times. In 2023, and 2024 he was selected to perform at the Junior Bach Festival, and has won first place in numerous competitions, such as the Great Composers Competition Best Liszt performance, Charleston International Music Competition, and the Elite International Music Competition. Recently, he was chosen as a winner of the Opus National Music Competition 2024. During his free time, Alex enjoys competitive math, watching various pianists’ performances, and listening to classical music. He also participates in his school orchestra as a violinist.

Three Concert Études S. 144, No. 3, ""Un Sospiro"", Franz Liszt, 6:26

Nocturne No. 4, op. 38, Lowell Liebermann, 5:47

Jackson He | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


Jackson began his piano journey at the age of four. He is currently under the tutelage of Ms. Jenny Shin whom he absolutely loves and admires. Throughout the years he has participated and received recognition in numerous competitions and festivals. Later in August of 2021, he received the second prize and the Best Performance of a work by J.S Bach award in the Chicago International Music Competition. Jackson is the Southern Regional Winner of 2022 MTAC State Solo & Concerto Competition which is the highest competition piano event in Southern California. He is also the winner of the Glissando Piano Festival and the Grand Prize Winner from the 2022 Satori Summer Music Festival Piano Grand Prize Contest. Jackson is also the Gold Medal winner at Southern California Junior Bach Festival Concerto Division in 2022. He won the First Prize at the Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition 2023, elementary school division. Last year; on July 1st, he became the State Winner of the Concerto Division I in MTAC State Solo & Concerto Competition.

Un Sospiro, Three Concert Études S. 144 No. 3 -  Franz Liszt/ 6:18


WTC Bk II, Prelude and Fugue in C minor, BWV 871 - J. S. Bach/ 3:21

Alexa Brinton | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition

 


Alexa Brinton, 9, has received numerous superior rankings at the Missouri Music Teachers Association state competitions, St. Louis Sonatina/Sonata festivals, and the 2024 and 2023 National Piano Playing Auditions (Guild). She has been accepted to the Manhattan School of Music summer program for classical piano in New York City in July 2024. She was a featured performer for a piano concert series in Berlin and Frankfurt von Oder, Germany in 2022 and for a sell-out crowd of 1,000 in St. Louis, MO in March 2024.  She is a four-year member of the St. Louis Children’s Choirs and enjoys competitive dive and ballet.  She studies with Laureen DiBisceglie in University City, MO.

Franz Joseph Haydn's Sonata in E Minor, Hob XVI:34:1,  

Luna Liu | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


 Luna Liu is 8 years old, and resides in Rockville, Maryland. She is a student of Mrs. San Qing Lu Bennaman. She has received the Honorable Mention Award at the 2021 Metropolitan Classical Music Festival, the First Prize at the Maryland State Music Teacher’s Association (MSMTA) 2022 Spring Festival Piano Solo and Second Prizes at MSMTA 2023 and 2024 Spring Festival Piano Solo, the Encouragement Award at the 2022 YMIC international competition and the Honorable Mention Award at the 2022 International Young Artist Piano Competition. She also received the Second Prize in 2022 Piano Star International Competition, and the Third and First Prizes in Miriam Shields Gottlieb Memorial Piano Competition 2023 and 2024. Besides playing piano, Luna enjoys drawing and writing books. 

Nocturne Op. 9 No. 1 in B flat minor by Frederic Chopin, 5 minutes 29 seconds

Sarabella Last | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition

 


Sarabella Last's journey in music began as soon as she could reach the piano keyboard, igniting a lifelong passion for playing the instrument. She currently studies piano with Erna Gulabyan in Mountain View, CA, and previously studied with Michelle Lee in San Jose, CA. Beyond her musical talents, Sarabella's life is a symphony of diverse interests. An ardent swimmer and runner, she thrives on the rhythm of physical activity, pushing her limits in the water and on the track. She balances her days through reading and writing, a love affair with literature that transports her to worlds beyond her own.  She is happiest when she is playing with friends and spending time outdoors exploring nature. Sarabella lives with her parents, younger brother, and puppy, Summer, in their family home in Los Altos, California. She attends 5th grade at Saint Andrews Episcopal School in Saratoga, California. 

Sonata in F Major K.547a, W. A. Mozart, 04:39. 

Yuexuan Xu | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


 Yuexuan (Suzy) Xu was born in China in 2014. She began her musical journey at the age of five, learning piano in the Netherlands before continuing her studies in the UK. Suzy currently studies under Michelle Lee and has demonstrated exceptional talent, winning numerous awards over the years. During her international travels, she loves sharing her music with others, often playing piano in public and spreading the joy of music. Suzy aspires to become a pianist who inspires others through the power of music.

In 2023, Suzy started participating in piano competitions, winning first prize in the elementary group at the Silicon Valley Music Competition. In 2024, she earned an Honorable Mention in the MTAC Piano Concerto Competition at  the 12 and under age group, first place in Category A of the CAPMT Concerto Competition for both the California North region and the state finals, first place in the 32nd US Open Showcase Piano Concerto Competition, second place in the Showcase Solo Competition, and third place in the America Youth Talent International Music Competition for the 9-14 age group.

Beyond her passion for piano, Suzy enjoys swimming and reading.

1. The Lark, Glinka/Balakirew, (6'04'')

https://youtu.be/vvRNs6OZzTM 




Grace Zhou | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition

 Grace started her journey of learning piano when she was 5 years old. She participated in the Young Musicians Inspiring Change (YMIC) Metropolitan Music Festival in 2021 and obtained the second place in the K-1 group. She also participated in the Maryland State Music Teachers Association (MSMTA) Piano Solo Festival and obtained the second place in 2023 and first place in 2024. Grace loves reading, singing and drawing. She believes that she can communicate with not only words but also arts. 

Mozart Sonata No.5 in G major, K283, 1st movt, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, 5 min

Jingxian Shi | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


 Nocturne “The Parting “ by M.I.Glinka 4min49s

https://youtu.be/OygnMzaWkUs?feature=shared

Sonata in C Major, K. 545 - 1. Allegro by W.A. Mozart 2min48s 

https://youtu.be/uFkK8O4N1RY?feature=shared


Elva Jiang | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


 Elva start learning piano when she was 5 years old. She enjoy playing piano with her sister. She had participated many local and international competitions and received many prize. 

Le Coucou by Daquin, 2:20”; Waltz in F minor by Chopin 3:30”

Lyra Song | 3rd Prize | Piano | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


 Lyra has been enrolled in SFCM precollege program studying piano and cello since 8. She started learning piano at 4 and cello at 5. She has won several piano and cello competitions including the second prize in ENKOR piano 2023 and the first prize in ENKOR strings 2024.

Chopin Impromptu No 1 in A flat major, 4’30”

Bach English Suite No 3 in G minor, prelude, 3’40”

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Eric Chen | 3rd Prize | Violin | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


Eric Chen is a sophomore at Marquette High School in St. Louis, Missouri. Eric began learning violin at the age of six with Joseph Kaminsky, and has been a student of Pavel Ilyashov since the age of eleven.

Eric made his solo debut at age 12, playing Henryk Wieniawski Violin Concerto No.2 in D Minor with Belleville Philharmonic Orchestra. He competed in the national finals of the MTNA Junior Strings competition, after winning the Missouri and West Central Region division. He is a three-times winner of MTNA Junior String State Competition 2021-2023, the Gold Medal winner of SLAMTA Young Artist competition in 2024, winner of the 2023 Artist Presentation Society competition, 1st place winner of the 2023 Town and Country Symphony Orchestra Rising Talents Young Artists Concerto Competition. He has also won top prizes in the Belleville Philharmonic Orchestra “Stars of Tomorrow” concerto competition, St. Louis Civic Orchestra Florence Frager Young Artist Competition, and the Alton Symphony Orchestra Marie Stillwell Young Artists Competition.

Eric is in his 3rd season with the St Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra and has been chosen as the co-principal this season. He has also played chamber music in the CMS Preparatory Program. In past summers he has studied at various music festivals, including Ascent International Chamber Music Festival, Vivace International Music Festival, and the Bowdoin Music Festival. Eric will study with violinist Lynn Chang at the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival this summer.

This year, Eric serves as the regional director of the Back to Bach Project, directing the St. Louis region. Eric has hosted several events in local public schools as well as in video format to contribute to the nationwide program. Eric is also an active member of the Very Asian Foundation, promoting Asian Arts and Literature in the local community.

Outside the concert hall, Eric loves playing tennis and spending time with his little brother and friends.

Carmen Fantasy, Pablo de Sarasate, 14:12

Sonata No. 1 in g minor Adagio, Johann Sebastian Bach, 4:32

Julia Yi | 3rd Prize | Violin | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


 Julia Yi, age 17, began violin at four and is currently studying under Leonid Keylin, following tutelage from renowned teachers Jan Colman, Ron Patterson, and Simon James. She's garnered numerous awards in state, regional, and international competitions, including First Prize awards in international competitions in Seattle, New York, London, and Italy, notably performing at Carnegie Hall at 14. Julia received the Edgar Borup Memorial Award, Special Adjudicator Award as a winner of the Concerto and Solo categories in the Performing Arts Festival of the East Side. She was awarded as a Alternate Finalist in the string division at Seattle Young Artist Music Festival 2024 and holds several Gold Seal Awards from the Seattle Young Artist Music Festival. Julia is the Distinguished Gold Medalist at the Seattle International Virtuoso Artist Festival, and has secured accolades from the Seattle Music Teachers Association Simon-Fiset and Korean Music Association in Seattle and the national.

Julia performed with the Bellevue Symphony Orchestra in honor of Platinum winner of the Pacific Northwest Concerto Competition. First Prize Winner at the International Music Competition London Grand Prize Virtuoso earned an invitation to a solo performance at the Royal Albert Hall in 2023. Julia has served as Concertmaster and Principal for the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra, performing solo at Benaroya Hall at age 11. She was selected for the Northwest Division and NAfME All-State Honor Group Orchestra. Julia won the Regional and State, both Solo and Ensemble, multiple times. Julia played Trio for MoPop Sound off 24 for the premier youth music showcase in the Pacific Northwest at the Museum of Pop Culture and broadcasted on radio station KEXP.

As a pianist, she has studied with Allan Park, achieving Gold medalist at the Virtuoso Seattle Competition and awards in the Sonata Competition. Julia's early engagement in international traditional dance and Gayagum play, performing at venues like McCaw Hall in Seattle, complements her multifaceted artistic growth and shaped her future aspirations. She holds various high-ranking leadership positions at her high school and runs a music mentorship program. She volunteers at UW Medical Center and Medical Reserve Corp, for which she received training certifications for her commitment to help people in the community. Julia enjoys dancing, drawing, creating artwork, and writing outside music.

1)  Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso Op. 28, Camille Saint-Saëns, 9:40

    https://youtu.be/46gIPecdmn8

2) Concerto No. 4 in D Major, K. 218  I. Allegro, W.A. Mozart, 8:18

    https://youtu.be/ivg3DuTEoIQ


Yihe Zhang | 3rd Prize | Violin | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition

 


Sibelius violin concerto in d minor 1st movement

Claire Choi | 3rd Prize | Violin | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition

 


Claire Choi is currently a sophomore at Valley Christian High School and started playing violin in 2nd grade. During the past two summers, she attended the Heifetz Institute Junior Division and the Tanglewood Institute Violin Workshop. She has won awards in various music competitions such as USOMC, KAMSA, ENKOR, and the Silicon Valley Music Competition. Her orchestral experience includes participating in the All-State high school Symphonic Orchestra in 2023, and two years as a first violinist in California Youth Symphony’s Senior Orchestra. Claire is also an active volunteer, participating in KAMSA Youth Orchestra as a co-concertmaster and the Hopebox Charity Youth Orchestra as well.

Mendelssohn Violin Concerto E Minor OP.64 - 3rd mov, Duration : 07:10

Xinyan Shi | 3rd Prize | Violin | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


 Xinyan Shi started studying violin at the age of 9. She has won prizes in various competitions on violin, including 1st Prize and "Committee Grand Prize" in the 2021 Youth Olympic Music Festival, Gold Award in the 14th Golden Beijing Violin Competition in 2021, 3rd Place in the 3rd National Youth Violin Concerto Competition in 2022, 1st Prize in the 2022 China Youth Music Competition Hummingbird Music Awards, 3rd Place in the Hong Kong International Music Festival, 3rd Place in the 2023 KAMSA Competition’s Senior Division, and 1st Prize in the 2024 Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition. She is also part of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra. 

Concerto in A Minor, movement 1, Antonín Dvořák, 11:18 

Tekla Kolar Konkoli | 3rd Prize | Violin | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


My name is Tekla and I come from Sweden. I am 18 years old and I have been playing violin since the age of 5. At the age of 15, I moved from Gothenburg to Stockholm to study at the high school Nordiska Musikgymnasiet with my current teacher Agata Kawa-Cajler. Alongside the violin, I also play piano and participate in various choirs. 

In 2018-2021 I have participated in the summer course Kallkursen for violin solo. Since 2017, I have been a member of the VÄGUS-orchestra, a symphony orchestra for young musicians. In August 2023, I played in the summer course-orchestra Concertgebouworkest Young in the Netherlands. 

Music competition prizes:

Stockholm International Music Competition - 3rd prize (2022)

Unga Artister - 2nd prize (2018)

Wolfgang A. Mozart - Violin Concerto no 4, mvt. 1 (Cadenza by Franco Gulli) Duration: 7'43


Henryk Wieniawski - Etudes-Caprices no. 3 (op. 18) Duration: 2'24

Henri Vieuxtemps - Souvenir d'Amerique (op. 17) Duration: 5'31

Ella Jeon | 3rd Prize | Violin | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


Ella Jeon, born in California, is a junior at Amador Valley High School and has been playing the violin since the age of eight, currently studying under the tutelage of Mrs. Ju-yi Peng. 

Before joining San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra in the year of 2021, Ella played at the Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra for two years and worked with the Korean-American Music Supporters' Association (KAMSA) orchestra in the years 2019 and 2021. Additionally, she participated as a Violin 1 for California All-State Orchestra in 2020, 2021, and 2023. 

Ella's dedication extends to leadership roles, including her current position as concertmaster in Amador Valley High School’s Symphony Orchestra for the 2023-2024 academic year. In her solo pursuits, She was awarded concert performance in the Junior Bach Festival of 2021 and 2022 and placed first in the US International Open Music Competition in 2021 and 2023, as well as the Pelican International Competition in 2021.  

In 2022, Ella had the privilege of mentorship under violinist Judith Ingolfsson in the Online Solo Strings Intensive program.

Ella made her solo debut at Carnegie Hall at the age of fifteen in 2023 after placing 2nd Place in the American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition in 2022 and won 1st place in the American Protégé International Music Talent Competition in 2024. Prior, in 2022, she placed 2nd in both the Great Composer Competition: Best Bach Performance (6th Edition, age group IV) and in the Youth Excellence in Arts (YEA!) Award.

Outside her musical journey, Ella enjoys running, reading, and writing.

Poème, Op. 25, Ernest Chausson, 10:39

Shenghan Wang | 3rd Prize | Violin | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


 In 2012, he was admitted to Tianjin Conservatory of Music Affiliated Middle School as the first place student. At the same time, he studied violin under Professor Xie Nan, the doctoral supervisor of the Central Conservatory of Music, and was admitted to the 18th undergraduate student of Zhejiang Conservatory of Music. He was also admitted to the 22nd graduate student of Zhejiang Conservatory of Music. He studied violin under Professor Xue Biao and served as the principal of the Symphony Orchestra of Zhejiang Conservatory of Music. In the same year, he was admitted to the Chamber Conservatory of Music to study violin and chamber music performance under the renowned violinist Ning Feng.

He has participated in multiple guest performances with professional orchestras such as Zhejiang Conservatory of Music Chamber Orchestra, Zhejiang Symphony Orchestra, Suzhou Symphony Orchestra, and other renowned conductors such as Li Xincao, Tang Muhai, Hu Yongyan, Zhang Yi, and Zhang Guoyong. He has left his performance footprints in Vienna's Golden Hall, National Theatre, Hangzhou Theatre, Canal Theatre, Zhejiang Concert Hall, Tianjin Theatre, and other venues

He served as the chief actor, performing Liang Zhu with He Zhanhao and Mao Weitao, and participated in the Wuzhen Drama Festival, the 2021 Spring Festival Gala, and various program recordings on Zhejiang TV

He has received guidance from many famous teachers, including Yu Bing, Chen Xi, Tang Weijian, Wang Hong, Liang Danan, Lin Chaoyang, He Shucong, Zhang Kehan, Li Qing, Wu Bo, Wang Xiaomao, Zhao Kunyu, Qin Liwei, Yang Gefang, Zhang Yuan, Zhang Ying, Zheng Jinlong, Gao Lianfa, etc

He has won the National Inspirational Scholarship, First Class Scholarship, Creative Performance Award, Social Work Award, Art Practice Award, Zhejiang Golden Bell Award Top 10 Outstanding Player, Hero Company Medal, and First Prize at the Grand Art Exhibition

Yale Sai, Perfect Award, Alba International Competition, Lugano International Competition in Switzerland, Beethoven International Competition, Poland International Competition

First and Second Prizes

Yale Sai, Prokofiev International Competition, St. Petersburg Conservatory of Music International Competition, Hangzhou Youth Artist Training Program, Phonograph International Competition, Wiesbaden International Competition Excellent Guidance Teacher Award in Germany

He has taught at Suzuki Classroom of Zhejiang Conservatory of Music and Wahaha International Bilingual School.

Romance for Violin and Orchestra in F Minor, Op. 11

Jessie Cai | 3rd Prize | Violin | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


 Jessie Cai is a 15 year old high school freshman in Los Angeles. She started learning piano when she was 5, and violin when she was 7. Her current violin teacher is Ms. Linda Rose. In 2021, she completed the Piano Certificate of Merit Advanced Level 10 with California State Distinguished Honors. As a violinist, aside from solo performances, Jessie has been active in multiple chamber groups and orchestras. Music has always been Jessie’s chosen medium for storytelling, and she wishes to express each piece as a unique story to be heard.

Violin Concerto in E minor, OP.64, III. Allegro molto vivace by Mendelssohn (7:27)

Yingyi Cai | 3rd Prize | Violin | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


In 2014, she won the first prize in the 6-year-old group of the 11th violin competition in Anhui Province;

Won a gold medal in the Violin Children's Group A competition of the 2nd China Television Instrumental Competition in 2015;

The 2017 National Youth Talent TV Exhibition Evaluation Competition Anhui Division Violin Children Group A Gold Award;

Won first prize in the 3rd Hefei Youth Culture and Art Exhibition and Anhui Youth Violin Competition in 2017;

In 2019, she won the special prize in Group B of the violin at the 10th Anhui Children's Art Competition;

In 2022, she won the Gold Award in the Violin Professional Group at the 4th International Solo Ensemble Competition in Singapore;

In 2023, she was admitted to the High School Department of Zhejiang Conservatory of Music Affiliated Middle School with the first place score;

In 2023, she won the first prize in the 13th Anhui Provincial Violin Competition;

In 2023, she won first place in the Violin Professional Group Gold Award at the 5th International Solo Ensemble Competition in Singapore;

In 2023, she participated in the Poly Tianjin Orchestra Art Festival, was admitted to the Poly Youth Symphony Orchestra, and participated in the closing concert as the deputy chief;

In 2023, she participated in the Poly Hangzhou Youth International Music Festival and played the first violin at the closing concert;

On January 25, 2024, she participated in the ""Winter Rhyme Symphony Colorful Linping"" New Year Concert of the Zhejiang Conservatory of Music Youth Symphony Orchestra at the Linping Grand Theater;

She has been participating in Zhejiang Music Master's classes multiple times since March 2024, under the guidance of musician Ning Feng;

In April 2024, she participated in the Master Class at Zhejiang Conservatory of Music and received guidance from German master violinist Professor Weithaas.

Mendelssohn Concerto in E Minor, Op 64 

Alexie Koh | 3rd Prize | Violin | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


Alexie Koh, 13 years old, is an eighth grade student at The Crowden School in Berkeley, California. She started playing the violin at age three under the tutelage of the late Sue Mann. As a member of Magical Strings West, she traveled to Europe in the summer of 2017 and performed in Cremona, Venice, Salzburg, and Vienna. In June 2018, she performed with Betty Haag Academy’s Magical Strings of Youth and Escola de Música do Colégio Moderno of Portugal in Chicago’s Orchestra Hall. From 2021 through 2023, she was a member of the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra.

Her competition prizes include Second Prize in the GCC Rising Talents of Americas (5th edition 2021), Third Prize in the GCC Best Wieniawski Performance (5th edition 2021), First Place in the American Protégé International Music Talent Competition Fall 2021, Third Prize in the BTHVN Wien Music Competition in October 2022, and Second Prize in the Birmingham International Music Competition in December 2022, and Second Prize in the GCC Best Bach Performance (8th Edition, 2024). She made her Carnegie Hall debut in November, 2022 and performed Sarasate's Introduction and Tarantelle.

She currently studies under Iskandar Widjaja from Berlin and Amy Beth Horman at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. 

Sonata No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1005: IV. Allegro assai, Johann Sebastian Bach, 2 min 33 sec 

Symphonie Espagnole, Op. 21, V. Rondo: Allegro, Édouard Lalo, 8 min 4 sec

Nishanth Viswanathan | 3rd Prize | Violin | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


Music Education:

2014-2017

Violin Study, Sue Mann, Musical Strings West, Palo Alto, CA

-Private and group lessons once a week in Suzuki Method

-Twice a year recital in solo and group settings


2017-Current

Violin Study, Gulnar Spurlock, Menlo Park, CA

-Once to twice a week private instruction 

-Twice a year solo recitals


2019-Current

Piano Study, Gulnar Spurlock, Menlo Park, CA


2022-Current

Viola Study, Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra, Palo Alto, CA


Chamber and Orchestral Experience:

2018-Current

Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra

Music Directors: Ben Simon (2018-2023) and Scott Krijnen (2023-current) 

-Weekly 2-hour orchestra rehearsal

-Trio/Quartet opportunity once a year duration 3-4 months

-3 to 4 concerts per season

Superstrings (2018-2020; Conductor: Natasha Makhijani)

Concertmaster (2019)

Chamber Groups: 1st Violin: Telemann Concerto for 4 Violins No.2 in D Major 

  1st Violin: Haydn Quartet Op.33 No.3 Mvmt 4

Preparatory (2020-2021; Conductor: Wendy Clymer)

Online due to COVID pandemic

Chamber Group: 1st Violin: Haydn London Trio No.3 Hob: IV(4) in G Major Mvmt 3

Debut (2021-2022; Conductors: Eugene Sor, Michel Taddei, Ben Simon)

Principal 2nd Violin

Chamber Group: 1st Violin: Beethoven String Trio No.1 Op 9, Mvmt 3

Sinfonia (2022-Current; Conductors: Scott Krijnen, Michael Taddei, Ben Simon, 

Eugene Sor and Jory Fankuchen)

Principal 2nd Violin (2023)

Violist (2023)

Concertmaster (2024)

Chamber Groups: 2nd Violin: Dvorak “American” Quartet Mvt. 1

      1st Violin: Dohnanyi Serenade for Strings Mvmt. 4 and 5


Nishanth Viswanathan


Chamber and Orchestral Experience cont’d:

2023

Blach Intermediate School Honors Orchestra, Los Altos, CA 

Director: Vincent Lewis

-Rehearsals 4 times a week and 5 concerts per year

-Concertmaster and Principal 2nd

Festival of Gold, Symphony Hall, Chicago,IL (April 2023) 

Masterclass and adjudication by Robert Gillespie


WorldStrides Music Festival, Anaheim, CA (May 2023)

Vivaldi Concerto Grosso for 2 violins and Cello in D minor (Soloist)

Beethoven Romance No. 1 in G Major (Soloist)


2023-current

Mountain View High School Chamber Ensemble, Mountain View, CA

Director: Ricky Alegria 

-Rehearsals 3 times a week, 5 concerts per year


Dec 2023

Honors Symphony Orchestra, California Orchestra Directors Association, Bing Hall, Stanford University, CA

Director: Paul Phillips 

-Statewide audition

-1st violin 


Teaching Experience:

2023- current

Pedagogical Ambassadors, Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra, Palo Alto, CA

-Directors: Natasha Makhijani and Wendy Clymer

-Mentored coaching program for senior orchestra members to coach junior chamber ensembles, 10 coaching sessions per concert set 


Ghana Outreach Program, Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra, Palo Alto, CA

-Director: Scott Krijnen 

-Private violin instruction online for a single violin student 30 minutes weekly for SOS Children’s Village, Tema, Ghana


Volunteering Experience:

2023

Mountain View High School, Quartet Performances

-Fundraising Event, The Reach Foundation, Los Altos Hills (October 2023) 

-Holiday Music, Local Senior Homes, Sunnyvale and Palo Alto (December 2023)


Nishanth Viswanathan


Awards:

March 2023

3rd prize, Great Composers Competition Series, The Music of Mediterranean Europe, age 14-16 division

-Online submission Sarasate, Carmen Fantasy, 1st and 2nd Movement



May 2023

Anaheim Heritage Music Festival, WorldStrides Maestro Honors Performance Award

-Awarded to an individual musician based on exceptional performance, musicianship, and dedication


June 2023

8th Grade Orchestra Award, Blach Intermediate School, Los Altos, CA

March 2024

Junior Bach Festival Award, Berkeley, CA

-Performance Partita No.2 in D minor, V. Chaconne


Invited Performances:

May 2023

Lecture: Paganini and the Virtuoso Tradition, Thomas Shoebotham,  Institute for the Study of Western Civilization, Cupertino, CA

-Demonstrated virtuosic techniques as part of the lecture                                                                

-Performed Paganini Caprice No. 24 in A minor, Opus 1 


January 2024

Leder Masterclass Series, Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra, Palo Alto, CA

-Invited to perform Dohnanyi Serenade for String Trio in C Major for Dr. Ariana Kim


March 2024

1st Violin Guest Soloist, Festival of Gold, Davies Hall, San Francisco, CA 

-Director: Vincent Lewis 

-Vivaldi Concerto Grosso for 4 violins in B minor


Summer Programs:

Summers 2018-2019

Presto PACO, Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra Palo Alto, CA

-1 week intensive chamber string camp


Summer 2023

Music at Tateuchi Hall, Community School of Music and Arts, Mountain View, CA

Director: Florin Parvulescu

-2 week intensive summer program including private lessons, master classes, and chamber group with distinguished string faculty Robin Sharp, Jay Liu, and Florin Parvulescu 

-Recital for solo works and chamber group

Summers 2021-2024

PACO Summer Camp, Monte Toyon, CA

-1 week intensive chamber group, orchestra, and vocal training


Summer 2024

Violin Workshop, Boston University Tanglewood Institute

Director: Michael Jorgensen

-2 week intensive focussed on performance and technique through private lessons and masterclasses

-Recital for solo works


C’est Bon Music Academy, Los Altos, CA

-1 week intensive chamber string camp with masterclasses on solo repertoire

-Schumann Piano Quartet Op. 44, mvmt IV, Allegro ma non troppo


---

Violin Partita No.2 in D minor, Chaconne, Bach, https://youtu.be/yB3P3eutkk8, 15:26


Michael Liu | 3rd Prize | Violin | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


Michael W. Liu, a 15-year-old rising junior at Mission San Jose High School in California, has been cultivating his musical talents from a young age, beginning violin lessons at five and piano at seven. His violin instruction has been guided by Yuguang Chen, Ker Qi, and Corina Stoian, while his piano studies have been under the tutelage of Dr. Jed Galant. 

 Mendelssohn Violin Concerto Mvmt 3, Felix Mendelssohn, 7:12

https://youtu.be/VX0HOTJ9Tuk