2023 HHIPC Program

A POP of COLOR

A POP of COLOR

VIBRANTLY COLORFUL ACCENTS BREATHE CHARACTER INTO THE EBONY GRAND!

VIBRANTLY COLORFUL ACCENTS BREATHE CHARACTER INTO THE EBONY GRAND!

IRREPRESSIBLY ENERGETIC

IRREPRESSIBLY ENERGETIC

The Steinway Color Collection offers a fresh take on the classic Steinway. Vibrantly colorful accents breathe character into an ebony grand. A rainbow of fully customizable colors make this special collection Steinway an exciting choice to express personality, individuality & style.

The Steinway Color Collection offers a fresh take on the classic Steinway. Vibrantly colorful accents breathe character into an ebony grand. A rainbow of fully customizable colors make this special collection Steinway an exciting choice to express personality, individuality & style.

Bold and bright, Steinway custom colors add a flash of color to any space: bright blue, vibrant red, express your personality with the irrepressible energy of color. Custom colors can be fully customized and special ordered.

Bold and bright, Steinway custom colors add a flash of color to any space: bright blue, vibrant red, express your personality with the irrepressible energy of color. Custom colors can be fully customized and special ordered.

Find out more at www.ricemusichouse.com/color

Find out more at www.ricemusichouse.com/color

in the Village at Sandhill

MUSIC HOUSE

MUSIC HOUSE

in the Village at Sandhill

Columbia, SC 29229

(803) 254-2777

Columbia, SC 29229

(803) 254-2777

Home of Steinway Pianos

Home of Steinway Pianos

HILTON HEAD INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION 2O23

MARCH 13TH-18TH

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Hilton Head International Piano Competition is to encourage and support excellence in the performance of classical piano music by showcasing the talents of young pianists on the threshold of their careers in a competition adjudicated by internationally acclaimed judges, and to offer additional performance opportunities.

HILTON HEAD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Photos by frenchguyphotography

WELCOME FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO

Three years ago, in March of 2020, we last crowned a winner of the 13-17-year-old Hilton Head International Piano Competition. Within days of that competition final, our world changed dramatically. Since then, we have experienced a global pandemic, two national elections, challenges to democracy, a reckoning with racial and social inequalities, a major war, natural disasters exacerbated by climate change, and many other disconcerting events. Certainty in anything has become a casualty of current life.

One of the few things that has remained a constant through all of this is the perseverance of young artists to perfect their talent and interpretations of great works of musical art. This week, we come together to celebrate and reward that perseverance.

On behalf of the entire Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra family, welcome to the 26th Hilton Head International Piano Competition!

Last June, we joyfully welcomed our new Director of the Hilton Head International Piano Competition, Steven Shaiman. Steve’s vast experience in mentoring young musicians, running competitions, and his knowledge of our performing arts industry has made for a seamless transition and we are very grateful for his hard work and talent. He has been joined by a dedicated and equally hard-working volunteer committee to put all the pieces in place for a successful competition. Bravo and brava to them all!

Whether you are a year-round or seasonal resident, or just visiting Hilton Head Island for the Competition, we hope you will also take away wonderful memories of amazing performances.

Special thanks to Steinway & Sons; the Town of Hilton Head Island; our competition venues; our business sponsors and individual and foundation supporters; our home, dinner, and piano host families; our HHIPC volunteers; John Morris Russell and the HHSO musicians; our esteemed judges; our competitors; and everyone else who contributes to this special event.

Please enjoy the 2023 Hilton Head International Piano Competition!

Sincerely,

Alan Jordan President and CEO

ALAN JORDAN PRESIDENT AND CEO HILTON HEAD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

HILTON HEAD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Photo by frenchguyphotography

LIVESTREAMING SPONSOR

Prior to joining the HHIPC, Steve Shaiman has enjoyed a successful career in Artist Management, as confirmed by Musical America in 2018, when they selected Steve among the top “30 Professionals of the Year: Innovators, Independent Thinkers, and Entrepreneurs.”

From 2003 through 2019, Steve served as Senior Vice President and Director of Artist Management at Concert Artists Guild (CAG), helping to fulfill the organization’s mission to nurture and support the careers of emerging young classical soloists and ensembles, discovered via CAG’s renowned annual international competition. He oversaw the management of approximately eighteen artists each season, including career development and mentorship, concert bookings, programming, marketing and publicity support, recording and video projects, and commissioning opportunities.

The list of artists mentored by Steve at CAG is wide-ranging, with many now enjoying successful careers, including HHIPC alums Fei-Fei, Steven Lin, Wynona Wang, Daria Rabotkina and pianist/composer Michael Brown. Additionally Steve also worked with many instrumentalists and groundbreaking ensembles including Imani Winds, Brasil Guitar Duo, the Aizuri Quartet and PUBLIQuartet (all of which have received Grammy nominations), as well as the Grammy-winning Parker String Quartet.

Prior to his position with CAG, Steve worked for nearly 14 years as Artist Manager for IMG Artists, one of the foremost international classical management firms.  During his tenure at IMG, he worked closely with some of the world’s most prominent artists including Joshua Bell, Itzhak Perlman, James Galway, André Watts, John Eliot Gardiner, the Canadian Brass, and the King’s Singers. He also spearheaded numerous jazz projects, working with artists such as Fred Hersch, New York Voices, Art Farmer, Johnny Griffin and a special multimedia project, “A Great Day in Harlem.”

Since 1988, Steve has served as a Trustee of the New York Youth Symphony (NYYS) where he began his arts administration career as Manager of Operations, and he has remained an active board member, securing guest soloists for the orchestra’s annual Carnegie Hall performances, among various other duties.

Steve is a graduate of Oberlin College, Ohio, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Arts Management, a course of Independent Study. An active performer on saxophone and clarinet and as a choral singer, while at Oberlin, Steve concertized with every major performing ensemble in the school’s renowned Conservatory of Music. During his long career, Steve has found time to stay active performing regularly with numerous bands and orchestras in the greater NY area.

Since 2005, Steve has been Artistic Director and Conductor of New York’s Swingtime Big Band, Long Island’s premier authentic Swing era jazz ensemble, performing frequently in concert and for private events throughout the greater New York Tri-state area.

A native of Queens and a longtime Long Island resident, Steve’s wife Laura is a recently retired music educator, teaching strings in LI public schools, and they have two “twentysomething” daughters, Sarah and Emily, who also make music a big part of their lives.

STEVEN SHAIMAN COMPETITION DIRECTOR

MEET STEVEN SHAIMAN, THE HHIPC’s NEW DIRECTOR

Photo by Arlo Dimmling

WELCOME FROM THE COMPETITION DIRECTOR

Greetings and welcome to the 26th Hilton Head International Piano Competition!

While this is my first competition as Director, I was fortunate to attend the finals of the 2022 HHIPC last March, where I was absolutely thrilled by the electric performances of our three finalists! Both our First Prize-winner, Jaeden Izik-Dzurko, and Second Prize-winner, Illia Ovcharenko, went on to win multiple prominent international competitions, and both are stars on the rise with burgeoning successful solo careers. The experience gave me an immediate and impactful appreciation of what the HHIPC is all about, and I am honored and excited to continue this grand tradition to support, nurture and promote talented young pianists.

Let me start with a very warm welcome to our twenty competitors! We are in for a treat to have these talented young people share their artistry with us, and the HHIPC is pleased to provide them with a variety of performing opportunities this week. I’m confident that our unique brand of Southern hospitality will make them want to return here often. (Along those lines, I should add that Jaeden Izik-Durko was also a Third Prize-winner as a ‘junior’ at our 2017 competition!)

I must thank our exceptionally talented panel of judges, each of whom is an internationally renowned pianist and distinguished educator. We deeply appreciate them dedicating their time, talents and expertise to us and to our competitors who will benefit from the feedback they receive from the jurors—in master classes, in the adjudication process and during discussions at the conclusion of the competition.

One quick lesson I learned as Director is that “it takes a village” to run the HHIPC!  Accordingly, I must express my heartfelt thanks to the many members of the greater Hilton Head community who open their homes and hearts to all involved in the Competition. First to the host families and over 100 volunteers who tend to the needs of our competitors, jurors and audience. Next, I must recognize our amazing Competition Committee, which works tirelessly all year long organizing the myriad of details for the HHIPC. Then, let me say ‘BRAVI TUTTI!’ to Maestro John Morris Russell and our Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra musicians for their participation in the Finals, with added gratitude to my wonderful HHSO staff colleagues!  And, last but far from least, let me express my sincere thanks to you, our audience members, who offer such enthusiastic applause and encouragement to each competitor.

We are also extremely grateful to the many businesses which support us through contributions, both cash and in-kind. The magnificent pianos are compliments of Steinway & Sons, delivered directly to us from New York City. Our two glorious venues—St. Luke’s Church and First Presbyterian Church—rearrange their own schedules to accommodate us. Dozens of local businesses/organizations place ads in the program book, and individual donors support us through the 88 Key Society, Pay for a Piper and other fundraising efforts. We could not exist without their generosity, and we are most appreciative of their assistance.

Please enjoy this extraordinary week of music!

Steven Shaiman Competition Director

STEVEN SHAIMAN COMPETITION DIRECTOR

Photo by frenchguyphotography

WELCOME FROM STEINWAY & SONS

Dear Distinguished Competitor,

On behalf of Steinway & Sons, I would like to congratulate you on your selection to the 2023 Hilton Head International Piano Competition. That you’ve come this far is a testament to your talent, dedication, and hard work.

We are honored that Steinway is the official piano of the Competition and proud to sponsor an organization with such a noble goal—that of promoting classical piano music and showcasing the talents of committed musicians.

I sincerely hope that your experience at Hilton Head is a memory you will cherish for years to come, and that your artistry and love of the piano and its repertoire will be further enhanced as a result of your participation. I wish you all the best this week and throughout your musical career.

Best regards,

Gavin English, President Steinway & Sons Americas

GAVIN ENGLISH PRESIDENT STEINWAY & SONS

MASTER CLASSES . LECTURE/RECITAL

UNDERWRITTEN BY A GIFT FROM THE GREAT FRAME UP

FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 2023

St. Luke’s Church, 50 Pope Avenue

10:00 am - 3:30 pm

$10 admission for the general public – Free admission for 88 Key Society and Piper members

On Friday, March 17, four competitors who did not advance to the finals will have the opportunity to perform in Master Classes with one of the competition judges. Each judge will select a competitor and give a 40-minute public lesson on selections from the competitor’s competition repertoire. The pairings of judges and competitors will be announced by the Jury Chairman following the announcement of the five finalists on Thursday, March 16.

MASTER CLASSES

TIME

10:00 - 10:40 am

10:50 - 11:30 am

2:00 - 2:40 pm

2:50 - 3:30 pm

Lecture/Recital

JUDGE

Lucille Chung

Yoshikazu Nagai

Eteri Andjaparidze

Arnaldo Cohen

11:45 am - 12:45 pm

Lecture/Recital

Alvin Chow, 2023 Hilton Head International Piano Competition Jury Chair, will give a Lecture/Recital entitled "1 Piano—2 Brothers—4 Hands” With guest pianist Alan Chow

Enjoy the renowned Chow Brothers Piano Duo as they demonstrate their approach to sharing a keyboard in practice and performance, featuring masterworks by Poulenc, Debussy, and Corigliano.

Photos by frenchguyphotography

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

March 13 – 18, 2023

ROUND I

Monday, March 13 & Tuesday, March 14

1:30 pm – 4:35 pm & 7:00 pm – 9:05 pm

St. Luke’s Church — open seating

ROUND II

Wednesday, March 15 & Thursday, March 16

1:30 pm – 5:05 pm & 7:00 pm – 9:25 pm

St. Luke’s Church — open seating

Finalists announced Thursday at approximately 9:45 pm.

MASTER CLASSES • LECTURE/RECITAL

Friday, March 17

Master Classes 10:00 am – 11:30 am

Lecture/Recital 11:45 am – 12:45 pm

Master Classes 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

St. Luke’s Church — open seating

ROUND III — FINALS

Concerto Finals and Awards Ceremony

Saturday, March 18 - 7:00 pm • Doors open 6:00 pm

5 finalists play with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra Reception hosted by the League of the HHSO following awards First Presbyterian Church — reserved seating

Tickets may be purchased at all Competition venues, online at www.hhipc.org, or by calling the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra Box Office at (843) 842-2055

COMPETITION ETIQUETTE

• As a courtesy to competitors, please refrain from conversation and remain in your seat during a performance.

• During Competition rounds, audience members may enter or leave only between each competitor’s performance and not between pieces.

• Please do not applaud until each competitor has concluded the performance of the final selection of his or her program.

• Children must be eight or older and accompanied by an adult to be admitted.

• No smoking, eating, or drinking is permitted in the Competition Hall.

• Only authorized use of cameras and recording equipment is permitted in the Competition Hall.

• Please silence all electronic time pieces, cell phones, and other electronics while in the Competition Hall.

the Fastest Internet in Town

Enjoy quality time on the fastest Internet in town –up to 1000 Mbps - all at a great price - with Hargray’s 30 Day Money Back Guarantee, No Contracts and No Data Caps

Call 877.HARGRAY | visit hargray.com

"Fastest Internet" claim is based on the download and upload speeds of Hargray's 1000 Mbps Internet tier with optional PowerBoost compared to the upload and download speeds of the fastest Internet tier offered by competitors as of January 1, 2023. 1000 Mbps download speeds are typically between 945 Mbps and 950 Mbps due to overhead capacity reserved to deliver the data. Broadband speeds and optional PowerBoost symmetrical upload speeds may not be available in all areas, are not guaranteed, are subject to a number of factors and measured via direct connection (not via Wi-Fi). ©2023, Hargray Communications Group, Inc. logos are registered trademarks and as such, protected property of their respective companies; all rights reserved.

COMPETITOR SELECTION

JURY UNSUNG HEROES

When the application period for the 2023 Competition closed on September 30, 2022, there were 107 submissions. So how are the 20 pianists who come to Hilton Head in March selected? This daunting responsibility rests with the Competitor Selection Jury (CSJ). The three professors of piano who comprised the Selection jury are no less accomplished than the members of the Competition Jury who adjudicate in March, and they work just as hard.

Competitor selection is a two-part process. First, the jurors spend six weeks in their studios and homes reviewing the applicants’ audition videos. None has an affiliation with any of the applicants—this is forbidden by competition rules. All evaluations are done blind—jurors know the applicants only by number. They do not have access to the written applications, nor to any other information that might inadvertently introduce bias.

Applicants submit at least three video files reflecting works of contrasting styles/periods totaling 20 – 30 minutes in length. At the end of the remote evaluations, the applicant pool may have been reduced somewhat if all three judges independently rated some applicants as not ready to compete at the HHIPC. At this or any other point in the process, judges cannot see their peer’s ratings, nor do they communicate with the others.

THE UNHERALDED BEHINDTHE-SCENES WORK THE CSJ DOES LAYS THE FOUNDATION FOR A SUCCESSFUL COMPETITION.

In November, CSJ members travel to Hilton Head to complete the task. They settle into a quiet, comfortable room with state-of-the-art equipment at Custom Audio Video’s showroom in Bluffton. They listen again, sometimes more than once, to the multiple pieces of repertoire applicants have chosen to showcase their talents. At the end of three intense 10-hour days, the jury selects the 20 competitors who will be invited to play in the HHIPC, plus several alternates. A numerical scoring system which all agree to is employed, a system that allows for discrimination among applicants of similar talents. The rigorous, unbiased and transparent way our juries select competitors is one of the HHIPC’s acknowledged strengths in the world of international piano competitions. It has been instrumental in helping us attract both top-drawer competitors and judges.

The HHIPC is extremely grateful to this year’s Competitor Selection Jury – Jane Coop, Douglas Humpherys, and Janice Weber – professionals with “great ears” whose collective work ensures a successful Competition.

LIVESTREAMING

Not that long ago, most of us needed an education about streaming. Not anymore! Enthusiastically or not, we have all entered the digital world of streamed music. Today people everywhere in the world can experience the drama and excitement at the core of the HHIPC, something only live audiences could enjoy a few years ago. Streaming provides competitors an opportunity to perform for international audiences – a critically important part of advancing their careers, and a principal motivation for applying to our competition. This year’s competitors hail from five countries and two continents. By livestreaming both the solo rounds and the concerto finals, supporters back home can participate in the excitement of watching prize-winning performances in real time.

DURING THE PAST SEVERAL COMPETITIONS, PEOPLE IN AS MANY AS 60 COUNTRIES TUNED IN TO THE HHIPC VIA STREAMING.

Our local audiences and host families also benefit from livestreaming, being able to enjoy more of the competition than they might be able to attend in person. At the times that you cannot attend this week, we encourage you to livestream. It’s fun, it’s easy, it’s modern, and your grandchildren will be impressed! Access the livestream on our website www.hhipc.org.

PartnershiP

At Gulfstream, our international business is based on local values. Funding educational initiatives and civic organizations, supporting hospitals and leading in sustainable business practices are just a few of the ways we give back to the communities we call home.

AMBASSADOR PROGRAM

First offered in 2003, the Ambassador Program will again be part of the 2023 Hilton Head International Piano Competition. Competitors will visit Beaufort County schools to perform for groups of enraptured students. They play selections from their competition repertoire as well as favorite native works. There is plenty of time to interact, provide information about the pieces and composers, and to engage in conversation about their musical studies and life in their home countries. Not only do these sessions assist schools in satisfying some state curricular requirements, but they can also be quite entertaining since children often ask unexpected and humorous questions! A few years ago, the HHIPC added senior-living communities to this popular program.

The Ambassador Program is not only an opportunity for competitors to perform and share the experience of mastering their craft in a relaxed setting with young people, but it also gives them a taste of the educational possibilities they are likely to be involved with in the future. As for the students, it is the first time many will have heard classical music, or attended a LIVE musical performance of any kind.

The Hilton Head International Piano Competition believes that these visits awaken musical excitement in the students of Beaufort County and encourage our young people to strive and excel at whatever endeavors they wish to accomplish. It has been challenging the past couple of years to conduct the Ambassador Program. The HHIPC is thrilled to be able reconnect in person with students this year.

These educational visits are made possible through a generous grant from Gulfstream Aerospace.

2023 PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

JANE COOP, CANADA

Pianist Jane Coop, (www.janecoop.com), one of Canada’s most prominent and distinguished artists, has toured extensively throughout North America, Asia and Europe, performing in Lincoln Center, Wigmore Hall, the Kennedy Center, Roy Thomson Hall, Salle Gaveau, the Singapore Cultural Center and the Bolshoi Hall of St. Petersburg, Russia. She has been soloist with the principal orchestras of Canada, as well as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of London, the Seattle and Portland Symphonies, the Hong Kong Symphony and the Radio Orchestras of Bavaria and Holland, in some forty concerti.

Ms. Coop has received international praise for her 16 releases on the Skylark, CBC and Centaur labels in repertoire ranging from Bach to Barber and beyond, and her radio broadcasts have been heard in Britain, Hong Kong, Poland, Holland, Germany, the USA and Canada.

An invited jury member for many international piano competitions in Calgary (Honens), Maryland (Kapell), Dublin, Hilton Head, Washington (DC), New York and Shanghai, she is a regular artist at both the Orford Academy in Quebec and the Kneisel Hall Chamber Music Festival in Blue Hill, Maine, performing with members of the Juilliard Quartet and other eminent musicians.

Jane Coop was Professor of Piano and Chamber Music and Head of Piano at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver for over thirty years, and now devotes herself full time to performing. In 2012 she was awarded the Order of Canada for her lifetime achievement and contribution to her country in the arts.

Ms. Coop is a Steinway Artist.

DOUGLAS HUMPHERYS, UNITED STATES

Since winning the gold medal at the first Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, Douglas Humpherys’ concert career has spanned four decades across four continents. Currently listed as a Steinway Artist, he has performed solo concerts and taught master classes throughout Asia, including twenty tours of China, plus engagements in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Korea.

He has taught master classes at the Central Music School of the Moscow Tchaikovsky State Conservatory, with concerts in Moscow, Novgorod, Berlin, Hamburg, Prague, Barcelona, Venice, Dublin, the Czech Republic, Montenegro, and Serbia. He has performed throughout the United States and Canada at numerous universities and festivals. Recently, he was a guest artist with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and performed at the DiMenna Center Concert Series in New York City. He has concertized and taught in Argentina with Teachers del Norte-Pianists del Sur, a project sponsored by the U.S. Embassy.

Mr. Humpherys completed graduate degrees at The Juilliard School (MM) and the Eastman School of Music (DMA), where he served for twenty years as Chair of the Piano Department and is currently Professor of Piano. During his student days he studied with Nelita True, Martin Canin, and Robert Smith.

His students have won prizes, at among others, the Honens, Cleveland, Virginia Waring, Hilton Head, Washington DC, Poulenc, UNISA, and Sussex (UK) International Piano Competitions, as well as five national first-prize winners of MTNA Competitions. In 2016, Professor Humpherys received Eastman’s Eisenhart Award for Excellence in Teaching, and in 2021 he was inducted into the Steinway and Sons National Teachers Hall of Fame. He is Artistic Director and Jury Chair of the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, and has been a faculty member at the Bowdoin, Beijing, Shanghai, Gijon, and Rebecca Penneys International Piano Festivals, as well as the Philadelphia Young Pianists Academy, and the Washington DC, Interlochen, Atlantic, Northern Lights, and North Coast Festivals.

Janice Weber is a summa cum laude graduate of the Eastman School of Music. Following graduation, she was twice a fellowship student at Tanglewood. She has appeared with the American Composers Orchestra, Boston Pops, Chautauqua Symphony, Hilton Head Symphony, New Hampshire Symphony, Sarajevo Philharmonic, Syracuse Symphony, and the Shenzhen Philharmonic. Solo performances have been at the White House, Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, Weill Hall, National Gallery of Art, Boston’s Symphony Hall, and the 92nd Street Y.

She has performed at summer festivals in Newport, Bard, and Husum and has toured Yugoslavia, Turkey, and the Baltic States under the auspices of the US Information Service. She has concertized and given master classes in Shenzhen, Kunming, Chengdu, Shenyang, Xian, Beijing, and Gulong Yu, China.

Her eclectic recordings include the complete transcriptions of Rachmaninoff (IMP); with the Lydian Quartet, Leo Ornstein’s vast Piano Quintet (New World Records); waltz transcriptions of Godowsky, Rosenthal, and Friedman (IMP); the world premiere recording of Liszt’s Transcendental Etudes in the notorious 1838 version (IMP); solo piano music of Leo Ornstein (Naxos), and Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time (Ongaku Records). Seascapes, her most recent recording, is a collection of virtuoso pieces depicting the ocean.

An Associate Professor (retired) of the Boston Conservatory piano faculty, Miss Weber has also taught at MIT and New England Conservatory. She is currently Artistic Director of South Coast Chamber Players, an ensemble based in New Bedford, Massachusetts. She is the author of eight novels.

JANICE WEBER, UNITED STATES

ALVIN CHOW, UNITED STATES CHAIR

Alvin Chow has appeared throughout North America and Asia as orchestral soloist and recitalist. In addition, he has performed extensively in duo-piano recitals with his wife, Angela Cheng, and his twin brother, Alan. A native of Miami, Florida, he graduated summa cum laude and Co-Valedictorian (with his brother) at the University of Maryland, where he was a student of Nelita True. Mr. Chow received the Victor Herbert Prize in Piano upon graduation from The Juilliard School, where he studied with Sasha Gorodnitzki, and held the Joseph Battista Memorial Scholarship at Indiana University as a student of Menahem Pressler.

Mr. Chow has won top prizes in numerous competitions such as the National Symphony Young Soloists Competition, Civic Orchestra of Chicago Young Soloists Competition, William Kapell International Piano Competition, and the New York Piano Teachers Congress International Piano Competition. He has been presented as recitalist in such cities as Hong Kong, Shanghai, Vienna, Montreal, Toronto, New York, and Los Angeles, and has appeared as soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Pan-Asia Symphony in Hong Kong, Shanghai Philharmonic, and Mozarteum Orchestra in Salzburg, among others. He has also been Convention Artist for the state MTNA conferences in California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, Ohio, and Tennessee. With Angela Cheng, he performed as Conference Artist for the 2019 National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, and in 2023 they will present the Advanced Piano Master Class at the National Conference of MTNA. In 2011, a CD of music for four and six hands, recorded with Angela Cheng and Alan Chow, was released by Arioso Classics. It features music by Brahms, Dvořák, Ravel, Milhaud, Corigliano, and Copland.

Mr. Chow has presented numerous master classes and lectures at music institutions throughout the United States and abroad, including the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Taichung University in Taiwan, Colburn School in Los Angeles, Eastman School of Music, University of Michigan, and Indiana University. He has taught and performed at numerous summer festivals, including the Shanghai Piano Festival, Banff Piano Master Classes, North Coast Piano Festival, Southeastern Piano Festival, New Orleans International Piano Festival, Rebecca Penneys Piano Festival, Lake Como Summer Piano School in Italy, and the Classical Music Festival in Eisenstadt, Austria.

Mr. Chow has been a member of numerous competition juries, including the New Orleans International Piano Competition, the Iowa International Piano Competition, the Jacksonville International Piano Competition, MTNA Student Competitions, the International Piano e-Competition, the Hilton Head International Piano Competition, and the Cooper International Piano Competition at Oberlin.

Mr. Chow was the first Fulbright Visiting Artist in Piano at the University of Arkansas, and also taught at the University of Colorado. Mr. Chow has been a member of the artist faculty at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music since 1999, where he serves as Chair of the Piano Department. Mr. Chow was named the Ruth Strickland Gardner Professor of Music from 2011-2014, and also received Oberlin’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 2016.

ETERI ANDJAPARIDZE, GEORGIA/USA

Eteri Andjaparidze is an acclaimed multifaceted artist and insightful pedagogue. Her discography on Naxos, Marco Polo, and Melodia labels includes Grammy and Deutsche Schallplatten awards-nominated solo albums. She has appeared around the globe in solo recitals, chamber programs, and as a guest soloist with major orchestras and conductors. Her festival engagements include Lincoln Center’s White Light Festival, Mannes Sounds Festival, NYU Summer Piano Intensive, Los Angeles International Piano Symposium, Piano Festival Northwest, Apollo Music Festival, Villa Sandra Piano Academy, Todi International Music Masters, Festival International de Colmar, Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival, Duszniki-Zdroj International Chopin Festival, Neuhaus Piano Festival, and Autumn Tbilisi Music Festival among many others. A Steinway Artist, Andjaparidze has founded and directed special projects and festivals including The United Sounds of America, PianoTheatre, and AmerKlavier, the first piano performance studio named to the International Steinway Artists roster.

She teaches on the piano faculties at NYU Steinhardt and Mannes School of Music and has served as Head of the Keyboard Program and Professor of Piano at DePaul University, the State University of New York, and the Moscow and Tbilisi State Conservatoires, and as Visiting Professor at several conservatories in China.

Born to a family of musicians in Tbilisi, Georgia – her father, Zurab Andjaparidze, the leading tenor with the Bolshoi Opera and mother, pianist Yvetta Bachtadze, a student of Alexander Iokheles – she studied at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatoire with Vera Gornostaeva. As the youngest participant, Andjaparidze received Fourth Prize at the Fifth Tchaikovsky International Competition and was the first Soviet pianist to win Grand Prix at the Montreal International Piano Competition. Honors include Order of People’s Friendship, Order of Honor, and People's Artist of Georgia.

LUCILLE CHUNG, CANADA/USA

Born in Montréal, Canadian pianist Lucille Chung (www.lucillechung.com) has been acclaimed for her “stylish and refined” performances by Gramophone. Since her debut at age 10 with the Montréal Symphony Orchestra, she has toured with Charles Dutoit in Asia and performed with over 70 leading orchestras including the Philadelphia Orchestra, Moscow Virtuosi, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Israel Chamber Orchestra, Seoul Philharmonic, UNAM Philharmonic (Mexico), St. Louis Symphony, Dallas Symphony as well as all the major Canadian orchestras, including Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver among others.

Ms. Chung has given solo recitals at the finest concert halls in over 35 countries including New York’s Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, Washington’s Kennedy Center, the Concertgebouw, Wigmore Hall, and Madrid’s Auditorio Nacional. Festival appearances include the Verbier, Dresden, Incontri and Santander festivals.

She graduated from both the Curtis Institute and The Juilliard School before the age of 20. She furthered her studies in London with Maria Curcio, at the “Mozarteum” in Salzburg, and in Weimar and Imola, Italy with Lazar Berman.

Chung has received excellent reviews worldwide for her discs of the complete works of Ligeti as well as Scriabin piano works on the Dynamic label. Her extensive discography includes Saint-Saëns Piano Transcriptions and “Mozart & Me” for Universal Canada. For Signum Records, she recently released Poulenc Piano Works, Liszt Piano Works as well as a piano duo CD with Alessio Bax. She is fluent in French, English, Korean, Italian, German and Russian. She and husband, pianist Alessio Bax are coartistic directors of the Joaquín Achúcarro Foundation and live in New York City with daughter, Mila.

ARNALDO COHEN, BRAZIL

Arnaldo Cohen was born in Brazil and began his musical studies at the age of five, graduating from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro with an honors degree in piano and violin while also studying for an engineering degree. He became a professional violinist in the Rio de Janeiro Opera House Orchestra to earn a livelihood while continuing piano studies with Jacques Klein. At the urging of Klein, Mr. Cohen pursued further training in Vienna with Bruno Seidlhofer and Dieter Weber.

He won first prize at the 1972 Busoni International Piano Competition and has performed with the Cleveland and Philadephia orchestras, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, and many others. He has played under eminent conductors like Kurt Masur, Kurt Sanderling, Klaus Tennstedt, and Yehudi Menuhin, who described Cohen as “one of the greatest pianists I have ever heard.” In addition to his recital and orchestral appearances, Mr. Cohen has dedicated himself to the art of chamber music. He was a member of the prestigious Amadeus Trio for five years with violinist Norbert Brainin and cellist Martin Lovett.

Mr. Cohen is a Distinguished Professor of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University and is the recipient of an honorary fellowship awarded by the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. Until 2004, he held a professorship at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He is a frequent recording artist and has released several recordings on the Naxos, Vox, and BIS labels. Professor Cohen has given numerous master classes in some of the most distinguished academic institutions worldwide and served as a jury member of many prestigious International Piano Competitions such as Chopin in Poland, Van Cliburn in the USA, and Busoni in Italy.

Praised by audiences and critics alike for his fresh interpretations and dramatic presentation style, Yoshikazu Nagai has performed as soloist and chamber musician throughout Asia, Europe and America in such venues as Beijing’s National Centre for the Performing Arts, Shanghai Concert Hall in China, National Concert Hall in Taiwan, Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall in Canada, Carnegie Recital Hall in New York, Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theatre, The National Gallery in Washington D.C., and in collaborations with the Ives Quartet, violinists Robert Mann, Anthony Marwood and with orchestras across the country.

He has appeared at many international music festivals and his live performances have been broadcast on National Public Radio’s “Performance Today,” RAI Italian National TV, Hong Kong National Radio RTHK4, and on public radio stations in San Francisco, Houston, Cleveland, and Salt Lake City. He is the winner of numerous international piano competitions, including first prize at the 2002 Washington International Piano Competition.

Currently chair of the piano department at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and Visiting Professor of Piano at the Peabody Conservatory, Nagai has been recognized by the National Foundation for Advancements in the Arts for excellence in teaching and his students are top prizewinners of numerous national and international competitions. Mr. Nagai gives master classes throughout the United States and Asia and has been juror of the Seoul International Piano Competition, Gina Bachauer, World Piano Competition, and E-Piano International Competition among others. Nagai studied with John Perry at Rice University; Paul Schenly and Sergei Babayan at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he was awarded the Malvina Podis Prize in Piano upon graduation; and Duane Hulbert at the University of Puget Sound, with whom he recorded the Glasunov Fantasie for two Pianos, Op. 104.

YOSHIKAZU NAGAI, JAPAN/USA

PAST DISTINGUISHED JUDGES

Natalya Antonova • Russia

Joseph Banowetz • USA

Jonathan Bass • USA

Fabio Bidini • Italy

Andrea Bonatta • Italy

Bruce Brubaker • USA

Angela Cheng • Canada

Alan Chow • USA

Alvin Chow • USA

Heather Conner • USA

Mirian Conti • Argentina/USA

Jane Coop • Canada

Ran Dank • Israel/USA

Pavlina Dokovska • Bulgaria

Irina Edelstein • Russia

Christopher Elton • United Kingdom

José Feghali • Brazil

Peter Frankl • United Kingdom

Kemal Gekic • Croatia

John Giordano • USA

Bernd Goetzke • Germany

Martin Goldsmith • USA

Enrique Graf • Uruguay/USA

Marian Hahn • USA

Kevin Hampton • USA

Gayle Martin Henry • USA

Ian Hobson • England

Leslie Howard • Australia/England

Douglas Humpherys • USA

Choong-Mo Kang • South Korea

Olga Kern • USA

Daejin Kim • South Korea

Alexander Korsantia • Russia

Gabriel Kwok • P.R. of China

Ruth Laredo • USA

Soyeon Kate Lee • South Korea/USA

Cecile Licad • Phillipines

Marina Lomazov • Ukraine/USA

Miyoko Lotto • Japan

Jerome Lowenthal • USA

Faina Lushtak • Ukraine/USA

Julian Martin • USA

Robin McCabe • USA

Robert McDonald • USA

Dominique Merlet • France

Evans Mirageas • USA

Yong Hi Moon • South Korea

Hiroko Nakamura • Japan

Pavel Nersessian • Russia

Vladimir Ovchinnikov • Russia

John O’Conor • Ireland

Ronan O’Hora • Great Britain

Piotr Paleczny • Poland

Jon Kimura Parker • Canada

John Perry • USA

Daniel Pollack • USA

Paul Pollei • USA

Antonio Pompeo-Baldi • Italy

Jorge Luis Prats • Cuba

Awadagin Pratt • USA

Menahem Pressler • Israel/USA

Joseph Rackers • USA

Matti Raekallio • Finland

Edith Finton Reiber • USA

Santiago Rodriguez • Cuba/USA

Jerome Rose • USA

Ann Schein • USA

André-Michel Schub • France

Orli Shaham • USA/Israel

Robert Sherman • USA

Lori Sims • USA

Logan Skelton • USA

Boris Slutsky • USA

Mykola Suk • Ukraine

Peter Takács • Romania/USA

Zhe Tang • P.R. of China

Erik Tawaststjerna • Finland

Christopher Taylor • USA

Nelita True • USA

Valerie Tryon • England

Tamás Ungár • Hungary/USA

Blanca Uribe • Colombia/USA

Irma Vallecillo • USA

Arie Vardi • Israel

Mikhail Voskresensky • Russia

Alan Walker • England

Janice Weber • USA

Nancy Weems • USA

Frank Weinstock • USA

Robert Weirich • USA

Jack Winerock • USA

Xu Zhong • P.R. of China

Yafen Zhu • P.R. of China

JOHN MORRIS RUSSELL

A master of American musical style, John Morris Russell has devoted himself to redefining the American orchestral experience. In his eleventh season as Music Director of the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, he continues to invigorate the musical life of the Lowcountry as conductor, collaborator, and educator, and leads the orchestra’s classical subscription series as well as the prestigious Hilton Head International Piano Competition. Mr. Russell concurrently serves as Conductor of the world-renowned Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, with which he earned a GRAMMY Nomination in 2019, as well as Principal Pops Conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, following in the footsteps of Marvin Hamlisch and Doc Severinsen.

The Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra has enjoyed unprecedented artistic growth under Maestro Russell’s leadership; concert attendance has blossomed, the orchestra has doubled its number of concerts, and performs regularly off-island, throughout the region. Under his guidance the HHSO has sparked collaborations with regional ensembles and performers that continue to widen the reach of the orchestra, including the Hilton Head Dance Theatre, Charleston Southern University, the Savannah Children’s Choir, Georgia Southern University, and Claflin University.

Mr. Russell’s collaborations around the world have included Aretha Franklin, Emanuel Ax, Amy Grant and Vince Gill, Garrick Ohlsson, Rhiannon Giddens, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Jon Kimura Parker, Ann Hampton Callaway, Michael McDonald, Cynthia Erivo, Sutton Foster, George Takei, Megan Hilty, Steve Martin, Edie Brickell, Over the Rhine, Brian Wilson, Leslie Odom, Jr., Ranky Tanky, and Paul Shaffer.

Widely considered one of North America’s leaders in orchestral educational programming, Mr. Russell helped develop and conducted the Link Up educational concert series at Carnegie Hall between 1997-2009 — the oldest and most celebrated series of its kind, originally created by Walter Damrosch in 1891 and made famous by Leonard Bernstein. Link Up made its debut in Beaufort County last season. Culminating with an orchestra concert in the First Presbyterian Church in April, it was attended by more than 800 elementary age students singing and playing recorders along with the HHSO. In Hilton Head, Mr. Russell began the HHSO Music Bridges program in 2015, engaging thousands of school children from Bluffton to Hilton Head Island in ensemble visits and full orchestra concerts, while integrating the musical culture of Gullah and Lowcountry traditions into presentations and programming.

As a guest conductor, Mr. Russell has worked with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, the Boston Pops, New York Pops, and the National Symphony of Washington, D.C. He frequently conducts Canadian orchestras including Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver, and has led the orchestras of Pittsburgh, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Dallas, and Milwaukee as well as the New York City Ballet.

John Morris Russell earned degrees from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and Williams College in Massachusetts, and has studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, the Cleveland Institute of Music, the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado, and the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors in Hancock, Maine.

JOHN MORRIS RUSSELL MUSIC DIRECTOR HILTON HEAD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Photo by John Mastroianni

COMPETITION PRIZES

First Prize $10,000 Mary and Mike Briggs/Joan and Charlie Dattelbaum

Return performance with the HHSO during 2023-2024 season Other engagements, subject to arrangements with presenters

Second Prize $5,000 Mary Ann and Tarrant Putnam

Third Prize $3,000 Diana Riggle

2 Finalists $1,000 Laura and Bret Jacobowitz

$1,000 Joan and Bob Koenig

Sascha Gorodnitzki

Memorial Prize $1,000 Sascha Gorodnitzki Foundation

In 2014, the Sascha Gorodnitzki Foundation endowed a new prize for the Hilton Head International Piano competition. This prize is a judges’ discretionary award for which all non-finalist competitors may be considered. Sascha Gorodnitzki was born in Kiev, Ukraine. Upon graduating from The Juilliard School with highest honors, he joined the faculty of The Juilliard Summer School, and was later appointed to the piano faculty at The Juilliard School where he served as Chairman of the Piano Department for many years until his death in 1986. Those who worked with him included Garrick Ohlsson and Albert and Miyoko Lotto. He made his debut with the New York Philharmonic and toured the US, Canada and South America, appearing with Fritz Reiner, Leopold Stokowski and Pierre Monteux. He has been recognized as one of the finest pianists and piano teachers in the world in his time. In funding this prize, the Sascha Gorodnitzki Foundation is recognizing the prestige of the HHIPC and its commitment to helping young pianists develop their careers.

The Peter Takács Classical Sonata Prize $1,000 Professor Peter Takács

The winner of this prize will be deemed by the Competition jury to have given the best performance of a Classical sonata (Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven) during the first two rounds of the competition. First awarded in 2017, the prize is funded by Peter Takács, Professor at the Oberlin Conservatory since 1976. Dr. Takács has been a member of the HHIPC jury several times, including serving as Jury Chair. He has recorded the complete sonatas of Beethoven and performed them around the world. Says Takács, “I have always felt that the music of the great Classical composers of the 18th century form the basis of all the piano music that followed. This is repertoire that remains fresh, startling, and revelatory. By funding this prize, I hope to encourage young pianists to explore and embrace this style that remains so relevant today.”

Photo by Tanya Rosen Jones

RIKO ANDO

COUNTRY – Japan

AGE – 15

HOST FAMILY – Barbara Sorkin

Riko Ando is a 9th grader at Branham High School in San Jose, California. Born in Japan, she moved to the United States with her family in 2019. She has been playing the piano since the age of five.

Riko is currently studying piano performance with Hang Li at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Pre-College Division. Before moving to the United States, she studied under Eiko Nagano in Japan.

Riko has won awards in numerous competitions including the Grand Prize in the ENKOR International Competition (2022), first prize in the Marilyn Mindell Piano Competition Junior Division (2022), first prize in the United States Open Music Competition junior showcase category, second prize in the Pacific Musical Society & Foundation Annual Competition 14-17 age group (2021), first prize in the Teachers’ Association of California (MTAC) Piano Concerto Solo Competition in the 13-15 age group (2020), and second prize in the 72nd All Japan Student Music Concours in the Kitakyushu primary school category (2018).

Apart from solo performance, Riko is also an avid chamber musician. During the summer of 2022, she participated in the Koret Young Performers Concerts at Music@Menlo. In 2020, she was nominated as a student of the Piano Academy founded by Sony Computer Science Laboratories, Inc. Riko has participated in master classes with acclaimed pianists including Dina Yoffe and Ruth Slenczynska.

In her spare time, Riko enjoys watching musicals and ballet.

ROUND I

REPERTOIRE

Mozart Sonata No. 18 in D Major, K. 576

Liszt Transcendental Etude No. 12, Chasse-neige, in B-flat minor, S. 139

Ravel Miroirs: IV. Alborada del gracioso

ROUND II

Bach Prelude and Fugue No. 8 in E-flat minor, BWV 853/WTC 1

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

Prokofiev Sonata No. 3 in A minor, Op. 28

Kapustin Eight Concert Etudes: No. 3, Toccatina, in E minor, Op. 40

ROUND III

Grieg Concerto in A minor, Op. 16

DAVID CHOI

COUNTRY – United States/South Korea

AGE – 15

HOST FAMILY – Cynthia and George Gorski-Popiel

A 9th grader at the Stanford Online High School in Redwood City, CA, David started piano lessons at age five. He made his solo debut at the Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall in New York at age six as the Grand Prix winner of the 13th International Youth Piano Competition of the Chopin Society of Texas. A student at the Colburn Music Academy, David currently studies with HyeJin Kim. Prior to that, he studied with Dr. Alex McDonald from 2017 to 2021. Recently, David has received many accolades, such as first prize in the 2022 Piano Star International Competition, second prize and Best Baroque prize in the 2022 Spotlight International Piano Competition, first prize in the 2022 Colburn Piano Seminar Competition, and second prize in the 2022 Edith Knox Performance Competition. He was also the Gold Medalist in the 2021 Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Competition, where he made his orchestral debut with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra under Maestro Salvador Brotons in January 2022.

David was also the Junior National winner of the 2021 MTNA Competition and placed first in the 2021 Texas Music Teachers Association Piano Competition, the 2021 Vernell Gregg Young Artists Competition, the 2020 Memphis International Piano Festival and Competition, the 2019 Collin County Young Artists Competition, the 2019 University of Texas Arlington Keyboard Competition, and the 2019 Texas A&M Commerce Youth Piano Competition.

Over the summers, David has attended music camps such as the Texas State International Piano Festival, the Southeastern Piano Festival, and the Colburn Piano Seminar.

Besides playing piano, David enjoys playing basketball, video games, and the violin.

ROUND I

REPERTOIRE

Handel Suite in F Major, HWV 427, No. 2

Scriabin Sonata Fantaisie in G-sharp minor, Op. 19, No. 2

Prokofiev Etude in D minor, Op. 2, No. 1

ROUND II

Haydn Sonata in C Major, Hob. XVI/50

Chopin Ballade in G minor, Op. 23, No. 1 Vine Resolve

ROUND III

Saint-Saëns Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22

WILLIAM GE

COUNTRY – United States

AGE – 15

HOST FAMILY – Marty and Jim Neumeister

William Ge, from Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, is a student of Ya-Fei Chuang and John Perry. He attends Phillips Academy Andover. His previous teachers include Natalie Zhu and the late Joy Kiszely.

William made his Philadelphia Orchestra debut in October 2022 after winning the Albert M. Greenfield Concerto Competition in 2019. The Philadelphia Inquirer described his rendition of Mozart’s Concerto No. 23 as “notably fluid while gilding the music with spots of interpretive individualization.” William’s recent achievements include being named a winner of the 2023 National YoungArts Competition, receiving the US Chopin Foundation Scholarship in 2022 and 2021, and winning the MTNA Pennsylvania State Competition for the past three years (2020-2022) in both the junior and senior divisions. Most recently, he took first prize in MTNA’s Eastern Division (Senior) Competition and will be competing at the national competition in 2023.

Since 2018, William has given community concerts in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. In 2020-2021, he received the Settlement Music School’s Advanced Study Ensemble Scholarship. Since then, he has performed with numerous chamber groups and is heavily involved in Andover’s chamber music society. William has performed in Verizon Hall, the Perelman Theater, Carnegie Weill Recital Hall, and NEC’s Jordan Hall. He has also performed with the Warminster and Lansdowne Symphony Orchestras. William has been awarded scholarships to renowned international music festivals, including Morningside Music Bridge, Orford Musique, Bowdoin Music Festival, and the Frost Chopin Festival. He has studied and performed in master classes with Wha Kyung Byun, Robert Levin, Meng-Chieh Liu, Julian Martin, Jon Nakamatsu, HaeSun Paik, Orli Shaham, and Boris Slutsky.

Besides music, William enjoys physics, running track, and writing for Andover’s weekly publication, The Phillipian. He is one of 28 Caroline D. Bradley Scholars (class of 2025) in the United States.

REPERTOIRE

ROUND I

Bach

Prelude and Fugue No. 6 in D minor, BWV 875/WTC II

Rand 12 Preludes: No. 6, Toccata

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

Liszt

ROUND II

Transcendental Etude No. 8 in C minor, Wilde Jagd, S. 139

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

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

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

Debussy L’Isle joyeuse, L. 106

ROUND III

Tchaikovsky Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23

SAWAKO HARADA

COUNTRY – Japan

AGE – 15

HOST FAMILY – Peggi Moon

Born in Tokyo, Japan, Sawako Harada started playing piano at the age of five. Fascinated by the colorful tones of the instrument, three years later she began studying under the tutelage of Ms. Kayo Wakao, embarking on a musical journey that has become her passion. She is currently a student of Professor Kooryeong Park studying piano as a scholarship student at the Music School of Children affiliated with the Toho Gakuen College Music Department.

In the summer of 2019, she participated in The Cleveland International Piano Competition’s Preparatory Camp for Young Artists and won first prize in the junior division of the performance finals. She has also placed in numerous piano competitions in Japan, including first prize at the 73rd Student Music Concours. She won the Best 7 award at the 45th National Piano Teachers’ Association of Japan Competition (under 16 division), and third prize in the junior high school category of the 23rd Japan Players Competition and the 30th Japan Classical Music Competition (no first or second prize awarded). Sawako has participated in several master classes in Japan and the United States with distinguished pianists including Pascal Devoyon, Alexey Lebedev, Yaron Kohlberg, and Stanislav Khristenko.

At age 13, she gave her first concert in Yokohama as part of the award for winning the Student Music Concours. She has performed in many of the finest concert halls in Tokyo, including Kioi and Dai-ichi Seimei Halls. Sawako has taken part in the Piano Academy Program organized by Sony Computer Science Laboratories, where she works with Professor Dina Yoffe, Musical Director, and Dr. Shinichi Furuya, an organizer, to advance her studies through a comprehensive approach to enhancing young artists’ musical and physical capabilities.

In addition to being a soloist, Sawako takes a strong interest in interpreting chamber music. In her spare times, she enjoys going to concerts, watching movies, and visiting theme parks with friends.

REPERTOIRE

ROUND I

Mozart Sonata No. 10 in C Major, K. 330

Schumann Abegg Variations in F Major, Op. 1

ROUND II

Bach French Suite No. 5 in G Major, BWV 816

Chopin Etude in G-flat Major, Op. 10, No. 5

Kapustin Eight Concert Etudes: No. 1, Prelude, Op. 40

Scriabin Sonata No. 2 in G-sharp minor, Op. 19

ROUND III

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

DONGHWI KANG

COUNTRY – South Korea

AGE – 15

HOST FAMILY – Lauren and Van Schwiebert

Donghwi Kang is currently studying at the Yewon School where he was accepted as a scholarship student for his excellence in piano performance and academic achievements. He was the Grand Prize winner of Steinway’s Korean Youth Piano Competition in 2022. He has also won prizes at other prestigious competitions in Korea including second prize at the Ewha & Kyunghyang Competition (2022), first prize at the Dong-A Junior Music Competition (2020) and first prize in the Korean Chamber Orchestra Music Competition (2022). He has been expanding his experience abroad, winning prizes at the Osaka International Music Competition (2019) and the Steinway Youth Piano Competition Pacific Regional Finals in southeast Asia (2022).

Since performing at the Lang Lang “101 Pianists” concert at Lotte Concert Hall in Seoul at the age of 8, Donghwi has been invited to participate in many concerts every year. In 2020, he made his concerto debut and appeared on television (KBS2). In 2022, he performed his solo recital for the Young Artist Concert in Seoul and he had an online solo recital for the Young Virtuoso Series organized by the World Piano Teachers’ Association, USA-Missouri. Recently, he performed with a Korean Chamber Orchestra, and he is scheduled to perform a solo recital for the Kumho Prodigy Concert, the most important and highly competitive event in Korea.

Donghwi has been taking lessons from Choong Mo Kang and Sue Woon Hyung. He has attended master classes with Alexander Korsantia, Corey Hamm, Antti Siirala and Lilya Zilberstein among others. In his free time, he loves to play badminton. He also enjoys listening to music and chilling with his friends.

ROUND I

REPERTOIRE

Scarlatti Sonata in F Major, K. 6/L. 479

Scarlatti Sonata in B minor, K. 87/L. 33

Mendelssohn Variations Sérieuses in D minor, Op. 54

Grünfeld Soirée de Vienne, Op. 56

ROUND II

Beethoven Sonata No. 24 in F-sharp Major. Op. 78

Chopin Fantaisie in F minor, Op. 49

Shostakovich Prelude and Fugue No. 15 in D-flat Major, Op. 87

ROUND III

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

ANDREW SIJIE LI

COUNTRY – Canada/Hong Kong

AGE – 15

HOST FAMILY – Judy and Joe Gimbel

An active performer, Andrew has given solo recitals in Metz, France and at the Renmin University Concert Hall in Beijing, China. Recently, he has performed and recorded at Jordan Hall, Mazzoleni Hall, and Koerner Hall. He shows great stage presence and musical control for his age.

Andrew received second prize in the Yamaha Junior Division of the 10th Bösendorfer and Yamaha USASU International Piano Competitions. He also received first prize in his age category at the Classicalia Competition, filmed live for PBS SoCal/KCET. He is a prize winner at several competitions including the Young Artist Category at the Hartford Chopin International Piano Competition (first prize), the Special Prize for Best Canadian Young Artists at the Canadian International Piano Competition, and the Concerto Competition at the Miami Music Festival (first prize), among others.

Andrew was the youngest student offered a full scholarship at the 2021 Frost Chopin Academy. He participated in the 2022 Morningside Music Bridge Festival in Boston, where he was awarded the Stuart Holland Memorial Scholarship and selected to perform at the Highlights Concert in Jordan Hall. He will be performing at the Vienna Konzerthaus with their symphony orchestra in August 2023.

Andrew is a sophomore studying at the Walnut Hill School of Arts (pre-college of New England Conservatory of Music), where he is under the tutelage of Professor Wha Kyung Byun and Professor Dang Thai Son.

Besides music, Andrew enjoys watching movies and hiking. He was born in Toronto, Canada, and grew up in Hong Kong.

ROUND I

REPERTOIRE

Bach Prelude and Fugue No. 9 in E Major, BWV 854/WTC I

Beethoven Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Pathétique, Op. 13

Carter Two Thoughts about the Piano: II. Caténaires

ROUND II

Rachmaninoff Variations on a Theme of Corelli, Op. 42

Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12 in C-sharp minor, S. 244

ROUND III

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

CADEN LIN

COUNTRY – United States

AGE – 15

HOST FAMILY – Marleen and Jack Cain

Caden Lin grew up in Los Angeles, California and started learning piano at the age of six. He was accepted into the studio of Fabio Bidini at age nine. Currently, he is a Thibaudet Scholarship recipient and studies with Fabio Bidini and HyeJin Kim at the Colburn Music Academy.

Caden won first prize in the 2020 Steinway Virtual Piano Competition (Southern California) and the 2018 Aloha International Piano Competition (Honolulu). He was a finalist in NPR’s “From the Top” in 2020 and 2021 for his solo piano and duo piano performances. He has been awarded prizes in competitions including the Alice Kitchen Memorial Scholarship Competition, LA Young Musicians International Competition, Lansum International Music Festival, and the Southwestern Youth Music Festival. He is also a semifinalist at the 2022 Rachmaninoff Junior Piano Competition in Los Angeles and is invited to the 2023 Aarhus International Piano Competition in Denmark.

An active chamber musician, Caden and his piano trio received the chamber music scholarship at the Ed and Mari Edelman Chamber Music Institute in 2019. Collaborating with the Colburn Dance Academy, he performed in Counterpointe in 2019.

Caden has participated in master classes with Yoheved Kaplinsky and Jean-Yves Thibaudet. He has performed in Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall and the Orvis Auditorium at the University of Hawaii. His most recent performance was the Mozart Triple Concerto with Pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet and the Academy Virtuosi Orchestra at Colburn’s Gala Concert in Zipper Hall, Los Angeles.

Along with music, Caden enjoys jogging and reading.

ROUND I

REPERTOIRE

Haydn Sonata No. 60 in C Major, Hob. XVI/50 Vine Resolve

Rachmaninoff Six Moments Musicaux: No. 4 in E minor, Op. 16

ROUND II

Scarlatti Sonata in B minor, K. 87/L. 33

Scarlatti Sonata in G Major, K. 455/ L. 209

Chopin Fantaisie in F minor, Op. 49

Scriabin Sonata No. 4 in F-sharp Major, Op. 30

ROUND III

Rachmaninoff Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18

ZARIN MEHTA

COUNTRY – United States

AGE – 15

HOST FAMILY – Victoria Holdren

Zarin Mehta is a 10th grader at Francis Parker School in Chicago, Illinois. He has been studying piano for 11 years and currently is coached by Winston Choi and Jeff Panko of the New Music School. Previously he worked with Mary Sauer. Zarin studies composition under Matthew Hagle of the Music Institute of Chicago. He has also studied privately with Antonio Pompa-Baldi of the Cleveland Music Institute and with Steven Osborne of the Royal Academy of Music. He has participated in master classes with Emanuel Ax, Jorge Osorio, Melvin Chen and Yoshi Nagai.

Zarin has performed with the Chicago Arts Orchestra twice under conductors Vladimir Kulenovic and Conner Gray Covington. He has also appeared in performances with WFMT Classical Radio, the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Grant Park in Chicago, Orchestra Hall, Quigley Chapel, and the Logan Center for the Arts.

Zarin has been a prize winner and honoree in many competitions, most recently the International Young Artist Concerto Competition, Nashville Symphony Curb Concerto Competition, Rembrandt Young Artist Chamber Competition, Chicago National Chamber Music Competition, and the MTNA Alfred Music Composition Competition.

Zarin works with the student leadership council for the Latika Roy Foundation, an organization that supports students with disabilities in India, where he creates music content for education and enjoyment.

Outside of music, Zarin participates on the school robotics team and astrophysics club, and he plays for the Chicago Romans varsity ice hockey team.

ROUND I

REPERTOIRE

Bach Prelude and Fugue No. 17 in A-flat Major, BWV 886/WTC II

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

Scriabin Sonata No. 4 in F-sharp Major, Op. 30

ROUND II

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

Liszt Transcendental Etude No. 8 in C minor, Wilde Jagd, S. 139

Vine Sonata No. 1, Mvt. 1

ROUND III

Rachmaninoff Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18

TAKUMA ONODERA

COUNTRY – Japan

AGE – 17

HOST FAMILY – Susan and John McClave

Born in Sapporo, Japan, Takuma Onodera started his musical education at the age of five. By age ten, he had won numerous awards including seven first prizes in several Japanese competitions: the Steinway Competition, the Imora International Piano Audition, and five Gold Medals in the Junior Mainichi Competition.

Takuma has participated in numerous competitions in Japan, in Europe (Italy, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom), in Russia and in the United States at which he won a variety of prizes. These include awards at Città di Imola (Italy), The Vladimir Krainev International Piano Competition (Moscow), and the San Jose International Piano Competition in California, among others. His most recent awards include the Gold Medal at the Manhattan International Music Competition in New York, first prize at the Windsor International Piano Competition in England (Category B), the Gold Award at the Conero International Piano Competition & Festival in Italy (Young Artist group), and fifth prize at the International Walled City Online Music Competition.

He has performed in Carnegie Hall, Yamaha Hall and Nagoya Yamaha Hall. In 2022, Takuma gave 13 recitals around Japan, including in Sapporo, Sendai, Tokyo, and Fukuoka.

Takuma has released two CD’s: “Appassionato” on the KNS Classical label (2021) and “Start!” (Octavia Records, 2022).

Takuma’s high school is designated as a Super Science High School, where he is studying environmental topics such as biodegradable plastics.

ROUND I

REPERTOIRE

Haydn Sonata No. 47 in B minor, Hob. XVI/32

Scarlatti Sonata in D minor, K. 141/L. 422

Ravel Gaspard de la nuit: III. Scarbo in G-sharp minor, M. 55 Gubaidulina Invention

ROUND II

Balakirev Islamey, Op. 18

Liszt En rėve, Nocturne, S. 207

Wagner/Liszt Overtüre zu Tannhäuser, S. 442

ROUND III

Prokofiev Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26

XINRAN SHI

COUNTRY – United States

AGE – 13

HOST FAMILY – Kitty and Don Krahnke

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. In 2022, she won first prize in the Kaufman Music Center International Youth Piano Competition, fourth prize in the Ettlingen International Piano Competition, and she was the state winner in the MTAC State Solo/Concerto Competition. Among her previous honors were top prizes in these competitions: 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, Marilyn Mindell Piano Competition, China Grand Canal Piano Art Festival, Seattle International Piano Competition, and the Pacific Music Society & Foundation Competition.

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.

REPERTOIRE

ROUND I

Liebermann Gargoyles, Op. 29

Chopin Etude in G-sharp minor, Op. 25, No. 6

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

ROUND II

Bach Prelude and Fugue in D Major, BWV 874/WTC II

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

ROUND III

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

REBEKAH YINUO TAN

COUNTRY – People’s Republic of China

AGE – 16

HOST FAMILY – Pam and Peter Cooper

Rebekah Yinuo Tan was born in Shanghai, where she started formal piano training at the age of seven and a half. Currently she studies with Helen Krizos at Chetham‘s School of Music (United Kingdom). After her first solo recital in 2019 at The Bridge in Shanghai, she gave her concerto debut at the age of 13. In 2022, she performed Prokofiev’s 3rd Piano Concerto under the baton of Jonathan Bloxham with the Chetham’s Symphony Orchestra in Stoller Hall.

Rebekah has performed in multiple venues across the United Kingdom and abroad, such as St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Sidney Sussex College (Cambridge), Legnica Art Centre and the Shanghai Oriental Art Centre. She has received guidance in either a master class or lesson setting, such as the SIMA Classics Masterclasses, from many notable musicians, including Boris Berman, Christopher Elton, Freddy Kempf, Kathryn Scott, Piotr Paleczny, Stephen Hough, Steven Osborne.

Competition successes include winning first prize in the EPTA UK 12-and-under (2018) and 15-and-under (2019) and the Gold Hand Prize in the Carles and Sofia Piano Competition in the Emergent Class ages 17-21 (2021). In 2020 she was the winner of the Chetham’s Sinfonia Concerto Competition and Chetham’s CSO Concerto Competition.

Along with her solo and concerto performances, Rebekah is also an enthusiastic chamber music player, and has accompanied various vocalists and choral ensembles.

ROUND I

Bach Prelude and Fugue No. 20 in A minor, BWV 865/WTC I

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

Messiaen Catalogue d’oiseaux: No. 2, Le loriot

ROUND II

Beethoven Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Appassionata, Op. 57

Liszt Transcendental Etude No. 10 in F minor, Appassionata, S. 139

ROUND III

Prokofiev Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26

KEVIN WANG

COUNTRY – Canada

AGE – 17

HOST FAMILY – Jan and Bill Raisch

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Kevin began his piano studies at age eight in Regina, Saskatchewan. He is currently studying with Lang-Ning Liu at the Phil and Eli Taylor Academy in Toronto under scholarship. He has played with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra under Conductor Maziar Heidari in Meridian Hall. In 2022, he was the winner of the OMNI Music Competition (age group 15-17) in Montreal and was a finalist at the Kaufman International Youth Music Competition in New York where he was awarded the Best Performance of a Romantic Piece. He was also the youngest competitor and semifinalist of the Concours OSM (Montreal) in 2022.

Kevin has attended master classes with many distinguished musicians including Bruce (Xiaoyu) Liu, James Anagnoson, and Anton Nel. He was awarded first prize at the IMFC Competition and North York Music Festival in 2021. He was also the Grand Trophy winner of the CCC Toronto International Music Festival in 2019 and received third prize in the Steinway Toronto Competition in Division Ill (ages 15-18) in 2018. He has also won numerous prizes in the Peel Music Festival, OYMI, and Kiwanis music festivals.

ROUND I

Marc Hyland

Handel

Chopin

ROUND II

Janáček

REPERTOIRE

Prélude blanc

Keyboard Suite No. 2 in F Major, HWV 427

Scherzo No. 4 in E Major, Op. 54

1.X.1905 Sonata in E-flat minor

Beethoven Sonata No. 28 in A Major, Op. 101

ROUND III

Rachmaninoff Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30

KEYI WANG

COUNTRY – People’s Republic of China

AGE – 15

HOST FAMILY – Dede Bethke

Keyi Wang was born in Hainan, China. She started playing the piano at four and a half, playing her first solo recital at eight. She has been studying with Hung-Kuan Chen and Tema Blackstone at the Pre-College Division at The Juilliard School since 2017.

In 2015, Keyi won two prestigious competitions in China: The Pearl-River Kayserburg and the Steinway International Competition. In 2017, Miss Wang moved to New York City, and in 2018 she garnered first prize in the Princeton Steinway Youth Piano Competition, the Juilliard Concerto Competition, the 2019 Steinway Junior Competition, and the JuilliardBachauer Scholarship Competition. She was chosen as the winner of the 2022 Juilliard Liszt Competition and will be making her concerto debut with the Pre-College Orchestra early in 2023. In 2018, Keyi participated in the Shanghai Conservatory’s International Piano Festival, receiving a solo recital opportunity. In the summer she attended the Aspen Music Festival performing in Harris Hall and participated in master classes given by Arie Vardi and Yoheved Kaplinsky.

Keyi has received recital opportunities at Juilliard for the past two years and was nominated into the Artemisia Foundation, receiving a prize for outstanding artistry, the Lang Lang International Music Foundation in 2020 as a new scholar, and became the 2022 scholarship recipient of the Chopin Foundation of the United States.

Keyi is in 9th grade and was honored to participate in her school’s Global Concert in the Stern Auditorium (2018). She made her Carnegie debut in Zankel Hall in 2020. She has also performed in the series Sessions in the Vault in Chelsea Market and the Stella Series. Outside of piano, Keyi enjoys diverse interests, studying French and self-learning German and Russian. As a certified history nerd, she enjoys writing historical fiction, and also enjoys fishing and photography.

ROUND I

REPERTOIRE

Bach Prelude and Fugue in D minor, BWV 851/WTC I

Liszt Transcendental Etude No. 5 in B-flat Major, Feux Follets, S.139

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

Kapustin 8 Concert Etudes: No. 8, Pastoral, in F Major, Op. 40

ROUND II

Couperin Piėces de clavecin, Book 4: 21st Ordre in E minor, III. La Couperin

Beethoven Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13

Prokofiev Sonata No. 3 in A minor, Op. 28

ROUND III

Rachmaninoff Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18

ZHONGHUA WEI

COUNTRY – People’s Republic of China

AGE – 14

HOST FAMILY – Eileen and Jerry Durkin

Zhonghua Wei was born in Guangzhou, China and began his piano studies at the age of five with Chinese American pianist Jay Pengjie Sun, the piano department Chair at Xinghai Conservatory Middle School in Guangzhou. At 14 years of age, Zhonghua is a carefree, thoughtful boy who has avidly devoured significant portions of the piano repertoire including the 48 Prelude and Fugues of Bach’s Well Tempered Clavier, Mozart’s complete piano sonatas and the complete Chopin and Liszt etudes.

Zhonghua has been awarded numerous prizes at the national level including first prize at the Irmler-Klavierwettbewerb National Piano Competition, first prize at the Sterinborgh National Piano Competition, second prize at the Steinway National Piano Competition (2017), first prize at the Pearl River Kayserburg National Piano Competition (2019), second prize at the Steinway National Piano Competition (2019), first prize at the Xinghai Cup National Piano Competition, and third prize at the Futian National Piano Competition for young pianists.

In 2017 he was invited to Bad Hamburg to perform two separate half recitals, and in 2018 he gave his first solo recital at Yamaha Hall in Guangzhou. In 2022, he won the first prize at the Pearl River Kayserburg National Piano Competition and was admitted to the Morningside Music Bridge. Currently, Zhonghua is at the Xinghai Conservatory Middle School in Guangzhou.

In his spare time, he enjoys watching films, reading, billiards, swimming, and fencing.

ROUND I

REPERTOIRE

Bach Prelude and Fugue in C Major, BWV 870/WTC II

Wang Lisan Prelude and Fugue in A minor [circa 1980]

Brahms Variations on a Theme by Paganini, Op. 35/Book I

ROUND II

Bach/Hess Chorale Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring

Beethoven Sonata No. 13 in E-flat Major, Quasi una fantasía, Op. 27, No. 1

Medtner Sonata Tragica in C minor, Op. 39, No. 5

ROUND III

Rachmaninoff Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 21

RUBY WU

COUNTRY – Hong Kong

AGE – 16

HOST FAMILY – Patsy Brison and Scott Camp

Ruby Wu is the scholarship recipient of the Robert Black Trust Fund, Grantham Scholarships Fund, the Grantham Music Awards (GMA), and was selected as a Young Scholar of Lang Lang’s International Music Foundation (2020-2021). She is now studying in the GMC Academy in the Young Pianist Program with principal Ms. Rizzo Chung. Ruby has won several prizes in piano competitions both locally and internationally, including the Silver Prize (Elementary Category) in The Chopin International Piano Competition in Asia (Japan, 2017), first prize as well as the Grand Prize at the Steinway & Sons International Youth Piano Competition (2017). Ruby was also awarded the Encouragement Prize at the 4th Hanoi International Piano Competition (2018).

In 2022, Ruby was invited to participate in the 4th Zhuhai Mozart International Music Competition, advancing to the semi-final round. She was also a finalist at the International Piano Competition for Young Musicians based in Enschede, Netherlands (2022).

In addition, she has won numerous first prizes at the Hong Kong Schools Music Festival, including the Junior Exhibitioner Award where she was invited to perform in the Winners Concert (2019), and first prize of the Tom Lee Scholarship Award (2022). In 2018, she was invited by IMC Music Company Japan to give her concerto debut concert in Tokyo’s Kyurian Hall with Filharmonia Śląska im Henryka Mikołaja Góreckiego Polish, conducted by Mirosław Blaszczyk, where she performed Mozart’s Concerto No.12, K414. Ruby has also performed on RTHK 4 radio in Hong Kong, sharing her passion for music with audiences.

REPERTOIRE

ROUND I

Haydn Piano Sonata in C minor No. 33, Hob. XVI/20

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

ROUND II

Vine Bagatelles, Nos. 2 and 3

Chopin Nocturne in E-flat Major, Op. 55, No. 2

Bach Partita No. 1 in B-flat Major, BWV 825

Bartók Suite, Op. 14

ROUND III

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

LINDSEY YANG

COUNTRY – United States

AGE – 17

HOST FAMILY – Debbie Graves and Nancy LoPresti

Lindsey Yang began her musical studies at the age of five and is currently studying with Professor Fabio Bidini and Hyejin Kim. One of Lindsey’s most recent accomplishments includes being chosen as one of the five finalists in the 2021 Gina Bachauer Junior International Piano Competition. Lindsey has won numerous prizes in various competitions including the Los Angeles Liszt International Piano Competition, The 10th Kathryn Gawartin Chopin Competition, American Fine Arts Festival Competition, American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition, and the Liana Cohen Music Festival Competition among others.

In addition to competitions, Lindsey’s major performances include appearing on NPR’s “From the Top” in 2021, her concerto debut in 2018 with the Cherubini Symphony in Perugia, Italy at Music Fest Perugia, as well as solo appearances in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in 2015 and 2016. Lindsey took part in the concerti-focused master classes with LA Opera Music Director, Maestro James Conlon, at the 2022 Colburn Piano Seminar. She has also participated in master classes with renowned pianists such as Yoheved Kaplinsky, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Ilana Vered, Douglas Humpherys, Joseph Rackers, Edward Wolanin, and Sasha Starcevich.

Lindsey is a junior attending the Colburn Music Academy in Los Angeles while fulfilling her academic studies through a homeschooling program, iLEAD Exploration. She is active in chamber music and regularly performs for her community.

Outside of piano, Lindsey enjoys painting, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

ROUND I

REPERTOIRE

Mendelssohn Fantasie in F-sharp minor, Op. 28

Ravel Jeux d’eau in E Major, M. 30

Rachmaninoff Prelude No. 3 in E Major, Op. 32

ROUND II

Bach Prelude and Fugue No. 15 in G Major, BWV 884/WTC II

Haydn

Chopin

Sonata No. 47 in B minor, Hob. XVI/32

Polonaise No. 6 in A-flat Major, Heroic, Op. 53

Shostakovich Prelude and Fugue No. 15 in D-flat Major, Op. 87

ROUND III

Chopin

Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11

KYLE YEUNG

COUNTRY – United States

AGE – 15

HOST FAMILY – Elizabeth and Edward Simmons

Kyle Yeung is a pianist, violinist, and composer from Irvine, California. He currently studies piano performance with Dr. Sasha Starcevich. At age seven, he made his orchestral debut by winning first prize at the US CAPMT Young Musicians Concerto Competition. Kyle was admitted to The Juilliard School Pre-College program at age 11 and studied with Julian Martin in 2019-21. He was the first prize recipient at the Stravinsky Awards Bach International Piano Competition, Glendale Piano Competition, ENKOR International Music Competition, and a gold medalist at the Northwest Chopin Competition. He was awarded Artist of the Year in 2018 and 2020 by the Great Composers Competition Series. Kyle has performed in numerous countries including Italy, Latvia, Costa Rica, New York’s Carnegie Hall and at the World Composers Recital in Vienna. He currently serves as the principal pianist of the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra and was featured as a soloist in multiple Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings concerts at Renée and Henry Segerstrom Hall. Kyle also plays the violin and served as the Concertmaster of the All-Southern California Elementary Honor Orchestra. In addition, Kyle is a composer. His compositions have won numerous national and international competitions, including first prize at the Music Teacher Association of California Composers Today and Golden Key International Music Festival Composition Competition. He was also named National First Place winner at the 2019 Music Teachers National Association Composition Competition. His composition was featured at numerous Yamaha International Highlight Concerts.

Kyle is a current member of the Yamaha International Junior Original Concert program and Chamber Music OC.

ROUND I

REPERTOIRE

Bach Prelude and Fugue No. 9 in E Major, BWV 878/WTC II

Chopin Etude in E minor, Op. 25, No. 5

Ravel Miroirs: IV. Alborada del gracioso

Stephen Hough Fanfare Toccata in C Major

ROUND II

Haydn Sonata No. 58 in C Major, Hob. XVI/48

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

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

ROUND III

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

NATHANIEL ZHANG

COUNTRY – United States

AGE – 15

HOST FAMILY – Laura and Bret Jacobowitz

Nathaniel Zhang is a student at Folsom High School in Folsom, California. He started learning piano at the age of five. He is currently studying with Dr. Sasha Starcevich and he previously studied with Tien Hsieh.

Nathaniel performed in Carnegie Hall at the age of eight and had his first solo recital at ten. He made his orchestral debut with the Florence Conservatory Orchestra at Music Fest Perugia, Italy. He performed with the Philharmonia Northwest in 2022, and he will perform with the Seattle Symphony and Auburn Symphony in the 2022-2023 season as the Grand Prize Winner of their Young Artist competitions.

Nathaniel has won accolades at numerous piano competitions. He won first prize at the 2018-2019 National MTNA Junior Performance Competition where he also received the Chopin Award, and the Waring International Junior Solo Competition and Junior Concerto Competition. In 2021, Nathaniel participated in the Gina Bachauer International Junior Piano Competition. He won second prize and the Young Jury Award at the Arthur Fraser International Piano Competition, fifth prize in the Young Artist category of the International-e-Piano Junior Competition, and second prize at the San Jose International Piano Competition.

Nathaniel loves sharing music with people of all ages and enjoys public performance. He has played piano for first graders in an elementary school, and his story was featured on ABC’s World News Tonight with David Muir in the segment “America Strong.”

Nathaniel loves watching sports and is a die hard fan of the Sacramento Kings.

ROUND I

REPERTOIRE

Bach Prelude and Fugue No. 20 in A minor, BWV 865/WTC I

Mozart

Stephen Hough

ROUND II

Sonata No. 9 in D Major, K. 311

Fanfare Toccata in C Major

Chopin Etudes, Op. 10

ROUND III

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

PHILINA ZHANG

COUNTRY – United States

AGE – 16

HOST FAMILY – Ingrid and Craig Boatwright

Philina Zhang started learning piano when she was three, and studies with Irina Morozova at Special Music School in New York City.

Philina has won numerous prizes in international piano competitions, most recently first prizes at both the 13th International Piano Competition in Memory of Vladimir Horowitz and at the third Ricard Viñes International Piano Competition. Other accolades include first prize at the 2021 Thousand Islands International Piano Competition for Young People, International Lev Vlassenko Competition, New York State Music Teachers’ National Association Music Competition, Villahermosa 16th International FestivalCompetition, and Grand Prix at the New York Solo Concert Competition. She has also been awarded top prizes at the Chopin Piano Competition in Hartford, Kaufman International Piano Competition, Steinway & Sons Piano Competition, Paris Music Competition, International Virtuoso Competition, and Marbella Music Competition among others.

Philina was one of six young pianists chosen from around the world to participate in the 2022 Gina Bachauer Piano Festival Students Concert and was also invited to the XI International Tchaikovsky Junior competition. She has performed at National Bohemian Hall, Carnegie Hall, Steinway Hall, and Merkin Hall in NYC, in addition to concert venues in Spain, Italy, France, China, and the Czech Republic. Her performances have been broadcast on WQXR radio and she is a “From the Top” fellow. Philina is a recipient of the Chopin Foundation scholarship, and she has had master classes with Douglas Humpherys, Peter Takács, Orli Shaham, Boris Slutsky, Olga Kern, and Peter Dugan. A prolific composer as well, she currently studies composition with Ira Taxin at the Juilliard School Precollege, and has composed numerous piano solos, chamber works, and art songs.

REPERTOIRE

ROUND I

Tchaikovsky/Gryaznov Waltz of the Flowers

Bach Prelude and Fugue No. 10 in E minor, BWV 879/WTC II

Liszt

Transcendental Etude No. 12, Chasse neige, in B-flat minor, S. 139

Didorenko Commotion (2020)

ROUND II

Mozart

Sonata No. 18 in D Major, K. 576

Schubert/Liszt Ave Maria

Brahms

ROUND III

Variations on a Theme by Paganini. Op. 35/Book II

Schumann Concerto in A minor, Op. 54

CHENGYAO ZHOU

COUNTRY – People’s Republic of China

AGE –15

HOST FAMILY – Linda and Dave Dreisbach

Chengyao Zhou was born in Zhejiang, China and started studying piano at age three. At age nine she entered the Shanghai Conservatory of Music to further her studies, and in 2018, at age 11, she moved to the United States to study with Dr. Ernest Barreta at Juilliard’s Pre-College program as a piano major student.

In 2019, she won first prize at the Grand Metropolitan International Piano Competition and performed at Carnegie Hall in the winner’s concert. A few months later, she was named the alternate winner in the Juilliard Pre-College Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 3 Competition. In 2020, she won first prize at the Manhattan International Music Competition and performed again at Carnegie Hall in the winner’s concert. In 2021, she won the Juilliard Pre-College Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3 Competition and performed with Juilliard’s Pre-College Symphony. In 2022, she was the winner of the Nordmann and Bachauer Piano Scholarship Competition at Juilliard Pre-College, winning the Bachauer Prize. In 2019, she attended the Oxford University International Piano Festival in the United Kingdom. That year, she also attended the Adamant Music Festival in Adamant, Vermont, and Musica Mundi in Waterloo, Belgium. Chengyao has attended master classes taught by Menahem Pressler and Gary Graffman. In 2020, she performed a solo recital for the Druzdoff Society’s “Impromptu! Classical Music Recital Series” in Stamford, Connecticut.

In addition to her passion for piano, Chengyao is a bit obsessive about math, a bit addicted to the Harry Potter books, and loves to spend time reading, playing basketball, and taking photographs.

ROUND I

REPERTOIRE

Debussy Images: Book 1, No. 1, Reflets dans l’eau, L. 110

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

ROUND II

Bach Prelude and Fugue, No. 18 in G-sharp minor, BWV 863/WTC 1

Liszt Transcendental Etude, No. 10 in F-minor, Appassionata, S. 139

Vine Sonata No 1, Mvt. 1

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

ROUND III

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

MY FAVORITE THING TO DO When Not Playing The Piano

Playing sports—table tennis, football, basketball, or swimming

Playing with my cat and making Warabi-mochi (Japanese sweets)

ZHONGHUA WEI Spacing out or meditating

TAKUMA ONODERA

YUHE JIN

ANDREW LI Hiking

WILLIAM GE Spinning ‘Poi’ — glowing silicone balls attached to strings

MY FAVORITE THING TO DO When Not Playing The Piano

SAWAKO HARADA Playing with my pet rabbit

REBEKAH TAN

Traveling and exploring new places

CADEN LIN

Cooking for my family

NATHANIEL ZHANG Watching sports — I’m a diehard Sacramento Kings fan

ZARIN MEHTA Playing ice hockey

MY FAVORITE THING TO DO When Not Playing The Piano

Playing video games, basketball, and riding my bike

Going on trips with my family and friends

KYLE YEUNG

Spending time with my dog Snowy

LINDSEY YANG

XINRAN SHI Dancing

DAVID CHOI

MY FAVORITE THING TO DO When Not Playing The Piano

Chilling with friends and going camping with my family

musicals

DONGHWI KANG

RIKO ANDO Watching

RUBY WU Going to a dog cafe

KEVIN WANG Reading

CHENGYAO ZHOU Chilling out with a basketball

WELCOME TO THE FUTURE RIGHT HERE ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND

2023 MARKS THE SIXTH YOUNG ARTIST COMPETITION, WHICH IS A GOOD TIME FOR A RETROSPECTIVE.

“Our Hilton Head International Piano Competition is one of the real highlights of the HHSO’s season. It’s the way most people in the music world first hear about our orchestra and the amazing musical culture we have nurtured in the Lowcountry—it was for me. The addition of a regular young artist cohort in 2011 has added a brilliant facet to the competition as we provide seminal opportunities for teenagers to shine in a professional setting. The technique and artistry of these young musicians is breathtaking, and we’ve been thrilled to watch so many careers skyrocket after their experiences here. I especially cherish the time we rehearse with the orchestra—when our young soloists first hear the majesty of the full orchestra blending with their sound, and our musicians are sparked by the virtuosity and exuberance of our top performers.”

John Morris Russell, Music Director

INAUGURAL YA 2011 FINALISTS

Drew Petersen, Micah McLaurin, Zhu Wang, Ruixue Zhang, Kate Liu, Jin-Hong Li (left to right)

First held in 2011, much thought went into whether adding a young artist format (ages 13–17) to the existing HHIPC schedule was the right course. Originated in 1996, the competition for pianists ages 18–30 was a well-established success and growing in stature. The old adage, “If it ain’t broke…” was ringing in the ears of the HHSO Board of Directors when Competition Director Nina Rodman broached the idea.

It took a couple of years, but fortunately the crusaders for youth prevailed. An event equal in stature to the “adult” competition fit perfectly with the HHSO’s commitment to youth—a central part of the Orchestra’s mission. It also differentiated us from most of the other big competitions because at that time, only Bachauer was doing a young artists competition. This changed when the Cliburn and Cleveland got on board. The risk of failure for a brand extension is less than launching a new brand, and the HHIPC’s shoulders proved to be both broad and strong. As YA 13–17 gained its footing, the 18–30 Competition continued to thrive.

Mona Huff, HHIPC Competition Chair in 2011, had the honor of staging the first YA. With help from a dedicated and experienced committee, the new competition began to take shape. Mona shared what they were thinking about in the early days. There were practical issues such as finding host families whose homes could accommodate both a competitor and a chaperone, potential difficulties for teenagers obtaining visas, and other logistical hurdles. Hovering in the background was this concern—would HHIPC audiences be skeptical about YA 13–17 because they secretly wondered, “How good could such young pianists be?” Fortunately, word got around, and YA audiences began to grow in size.

WHO

ARE

2020 COMPETITORS

THESE TEENAGERS WHO FLY HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD TO PLAY FOR US EACH MARCH?

THEY ARE CITIZENS OF THE WORLD

YA competitors have represented 18 countries so far: the US and Canada, multiple places in the Far East (China, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Macao), with a few western and eastern European nations and one country in the Middle East thrown in for good measure. To date, the five HHIPC YA first prizewinners include three North Americans (two from the US, one from Canada), one from China and one from Italy.

THEY ARE SERIOUS STUDENTS

Many were already associated with a major conservatory, such as Juilliard Pre-College, for example.

THEY ARE VETERAN COMPETITORS

As young as 13, you would be forgiven if you assumed the HHIPC was their first big competition. It wasn’t.

THEY ARE AMAZINGLY ACCOMPLISHED

The majority had been prizewinners at multiple competitions before coming here. They tackled much of the same repertoire as the older cohort. Liszt’s Transcendental Etudes—why not? And, a surprising number had already made their Carnegie Hall debut—including nine of this year’s 20!

Photo by frenchguyphotography

It would take many pages to report on the subsequent accomplishments of these amazing young artists—a 13-year-old in 2011 would be only 25 today, with their entire careers in front of them.

A FEW TIDBITS:

The majority have since graduated from top conservatories such as the Curtis Institute and The Juilliard School, and/or are still in school pursuing masters and doctoral degrees. Ray Ushikubo, 2017’s first prizewinner, earned degrees from Curtis in both piano and violin. 2013’s first prizewinner, Leonardo Colafelice, is teaching at a major European conservatory.

They are prizewinners in dozens of the top international competitions (the Cliburn Junior, Young Concert Artist International Auditions, Cleveland, Bachauer, and many others). Drew Petersen, 2011’s second prizewinner, won first prize at the 2017 American Pianists Association Competition, and received the coveted Avery Fisher Career Grant in 2018.

They have released recordings. Drew Petersen was also named the youngest ever Steinway Artist at 25, keeping company with other pianists you may recognize (Daniel Barenboim, Emanuel Ax, Olga Kern, Yuga Wang, Lang Lang). Three other YA alums have been named Young Steinway Artists: Ray Ushikubo, Kasey Shao and Elliot Wuu.

There is crossover between the two HHIPC competitions. Several YA competitors have returned to compete in the 18–30 Competition (allowed for all but the first YA prizewinner). Two went on to win the 18–30 Competition—Chaeyoung Park in 2019 and Jaeden Izik-Dzurko in 2022. Both are already on their way toward promising careers.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

WELCOME PARTY FOR 2020 COMPETITORS

Photo by frenchguyphotography

The inaugural YA competition took an interesting approach to introducing competitors. Instead of submitting a traditional bio for the program book, competitors answered the question “What does music mean to you?” As you marvel at their deep and eloquently expressed thoughts, think about it— these were teenagers at the time!

Music to me is the deepest and most universal language humanity knows. When I perform, I feel able to take my audience away from their daily routine to experience a beautiful and meaningful moment.

I love communicating with the audience through music. It’s like building a bridge to their heart. Music helps heal sickness and pain and is powerful enough to change behavior and attitudes. I know that my purpose in life is to understand the world, and much beyond it, through music.

None of these young people had taken even the first step on a career path when they came to Hilton Head, but they were already thinking about what they could give their audiences, and how to improve themselves, and the world, through music. Our event has proved to be a steppingstone in that direction. HHIPC audiences can be proud that we entered these young artists’ lives for a brief moment, bestowing our love and encouragement. We fervently hope that they continue to receive the support that started them on their musical journeys, and they continue to flourish.

IS THERE ANY QUESTION WHY YA 13–17 HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL?

PYOTR AKULOV AGE 13 PLAYING SAINT-SAËNS NO. 2

Photo by frenchguyphotography

FRIDAY, MARCH 24

BOLD, CUTTING EDGE CONTEMPORARY BALLET

A bold, cutting edge contemporary ballet companyfounded in 2016 by former Miami City Ballet Principal Dancers Jennifer Kronenberg and Carlos Guerra. DDTM has established itself with a dazzling repertoire and dynamic world class dancers hailing from various Hispanic, North and South American backgrounds. The troupe’s profound energy and electricity truly reflect the unique cultural vibrancy and allure of their home city, Miami.

SPONSORED BY & DOT & JIM LOUGHLIN

THEN AND NOW

Enjoy “then” and “now” photos of some of the HHIPC’s most acclaimed young artists.

2000

PAST PRIZE WINNERS 2000 –

1st Prize Petronel Malan • South Africa

2nd Prize Coung Hung Van • Vietnam

3rd Prize Georgi Slavchev • Bulgaria

2001

1st Prize Edisher Savitski • Republic of Georgia

2nd Prize Uri Blinov • Belarus

3rd Prize Hea Jung Cho • S. Korea

2002

1st Prize Konstantin Soukhovetski • Russia

2nd Prize Dustin Gledhill • USA

3rd Prize Esther Jung-A Park • S. Korea

2003

1st Prize Chu-Fang Huang • P. R. of China

2nd Prize Sean Kennard • USA

3rd Prize Jean-Francois Latour • Canada

2004

1st Prize Andrew Le • Vietnam

2nd Prize Hong Xu • P. R. of China

3rd Prize Elizabeth Schumann • USA

2005

1st Prize Di Wu • P. R. of China

2nd Prize ChenXin Xu • P. R. of China

3rd Prize Ryo Yanagitani • Canada

2006

1st Prize Dmitri Levkovich • Ukraine

2nd Prize Diyi Tang • P. R. of China

3rd Prize Daniil Sayamov • Russia

2007

1st Prize Eric Zuber • USA

2nd Prize Alexey Koltakov • Australia/USA

3rd Prize Charlie Albright • USA

2008

1st Prize Ran Dank • Israel

2nd Prize Yelena Beriyeva • Republic of Georgia

3rd Prize Takashi Yamamoto • Japan

2009

1st Prize Michail Lifits • Germany

2nd Prize Chetan Tierra • USA

3rd Prize Marouan Benabdallah • Hungary/Morocco

2010

1st Prize Lukáš Vondráček • Czech Republic

2nd Prize Ilya Maximov • Russia

3rd Prize Rina Sudo • Japan

2011

1st Prize Zhu Wang • P. R. of China

2nd Prize Drew Petersen • USA

3rd Prize Jin-Hong Li • P. R. of China

4th Prize Ruixue Zhang • P. R. of China

5th Prize Micah McLaurin • USA

6th Prize Kate Liu • Singapore

2012

1st Prize Jin Uk Kim • S. Korea

2nd Prize Wai Yin Wong • Hong Kong

3rd Prize Steven Lin • USA

2013

1st Prize Leonardo Colafelice • Italy

2nd Prize Jinhyung Park • S. Korea

3rd Prize Tony Yike Yang • Canada

4th Prize SaeYoon Chon • S. Korea

5th Prize Yiou Li • P.R. of China

2014

1st Prize Shen Lu • P. R. of China

2nd Prize Miao Huang • Germany

3rd Prize EunAe Lee • S. Korea

Gorodnitzki Prize Brian Lin • P.R. China

2015

1st Prize Elliot Wuu • USA

2nd Prize Xiaoxuan Li • P.R. of China

3rd Prize Elisabeth Tsai • USA

Finalist Elizaveta Kliuchereva • Russia

Finalist Tommy Jing Yu Leo • Singapore

Gorodnitzki Prize JaeHong Park • S. Korea

2016

1st Prize Chang Yong Shin • S. Korea

2nd Prize Tristan Teo • Canada

3rd Prize Sae Yoon Chon • S. Korea

Gorodnitzki Prize Hee Jun Han • S. Korea

2017

1st Prize Ray Ushikubo • USA

2nd Prize Andrew Li • USA

3rd Prize Jaeden Izik-Dzurko • Canada

Finalist Arthur Wang • Canada

Finalist Hoi Leong Cheong • Hong Kong/Macao

Gorodnitzki Prize Biguo Xing • P.R. China

Takács Classical Jaeden Izik-Dzurko • Canada

Sonata Prize

2019

1st Prize Chaeyoung Park • South Korea

2nd Prize Jakub Kuszlik • Poland

3rd Prize Anna Han • USA

Gorodnitzki Prize Anna Han • USA

2020

1st Prize Kevin Chen • Canada

2nd Prize Pyotr Akulov • Russia

3rd Prize Tyler Kim • USA

Finalist Ryunosuke Kishimoto • Japan

Finalist Kasey Shao • USA

Gorodnitzki Prize Catherine Huang • USA

Takács Classical Tyler Kim • USA

Sonata Prize

2022

1st Prize Jaeden Izik-Dzurko • Canada

2nd Prize Illia Ovcharenko • Ukraine

3rd Prize Seongwoo Moon • S. Korea

Gorodnitzki Prize Anthony Ratinov • USA

WEILL HALL WINNER’S RECITAL

Friday, October 14, 2022

Engagement underwritten by The Nan and Charles Strauch Family

PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS

2001 Edisher Savitski

2002 Konstantin Soukhovetski

2003 . . . . . . . . . . . . Chu-Fang Huang

2004 Andrew Le

2005 Di Wu

2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . Dmitri Levkovich

2007 Eric Zuber

2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . Ran Dank

2009 Michail Lifits

2010 Lukáš Vondráček

2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . Jin Uk Kim

2014 Shen Lu

2016 Chang Yong Shin

2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . Chaeyoung Park

2022 Jaeden Izik-Dzurko

WINNER’S RECITAL

In 2001, the Competition introduced a recital at Carnegie Hall Weill’s Hall as a component of the first prize for pianists 18–30. The goal was to attract applicants who were qualified to perform on the New York stage. The number of applications increased, and competitor quality has been consistently high. The recital and resulting media exposure are extremely valuable for a pianist’s resume, enhancing the possibilities for future performances. Acknowledging the importance of this performance prize, in 2022 the HHSO conducted a successful endowment campaign in honor of recently retired Director, Mona Huff, to recognize her great leadership of the HHIPC. The Mona Huff Carnegie Hall Recital Fund was established as a permanent fund that will support the triennial Carnegie Hall recital for the senior division winner.

Our 2022 winner, Jaeden Izik-Dzurko, performed magnificently on October 14 to a sold-out crowd populated with Hilton Head supporters, Jaeden’s extended family and current professor from British Columbia, friends from his days at Juilliard, and many discerning New York piano aficionados. You can read Frank Daykin’s glowing review at nyconcertreview.com. The next opportunity to attend this recital will be in 2025—the year of the HHIPC’s next 18-30 competition.

projects a distinctive musical personality that imbues even the most routine passagework with character and individuality”

2017, 2020 & 2022 COMPETITIONS

Photos by frenchguyphotography

IT TAKES A COMMUNITY

The HHIPC has grown significantly since its inception in 1996. From the beginning it has been about people, and the number of individuals who have touched the event through the years numbers in the thousands. One of the things that sets the HHIPC apart is that competitors are hosted in private homes rather than hotels or dormitories. For the duration of the competition, host families become their competitor’s local support system—housing and feeding them, driving them to events, listening to hours of practice, and cheering them on. They get to know each other well, traveling to their home countries and attending their performances in other parts of the world. Hosts often invite their competitors to come back to Hilton Head and many accept, sometimes bringing their own families, thus establishing close, multigenerational ties for a lifetime. We salute the more than 200 people who have opened their hearts and homes to HHIPC competitors. They are your friends and neighbors, and they deserve a standing ovation.

Read the story of 2022’s competitor Illia Ovcharenko and hosts Lauren and Van Schwiebert, in their own words:

“In 2022 we were approached about hosting a competitor. We wondered who we might be assigned and exactly what to expect. It sounded intriguing, and we were told the HHIPC experience could be “life changing.”

Our competitor was Illia Ovcharenko, a 20-yearold from Ukraine. He arrived shortly after the Russian invasion of his country. Do you recall the long convoy of Russian tanks and military equipment heading south toward Chernigov at the beginning of the war? Illia’s family home was directly at the front of that line. When we picked Illia up at the airport, he said that he had not been eating or sleeping well, and most concerning, he had not heard from his family for several days. Our neighbors in Hilton Head Plantation had decorated trees, mailboxes, and lampposts with blue and yellow ribbons in anticipation of Illia’s arrival. We obtained a Ukrainian flag and displayed it on our porch. He was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support. We decided that our charge was to provide him with a place of calm and quiet and we were careful not to intrude with too many questions. By the third day, Illia was practicing his repertoire and relaxing in his pajamas. He began eating and shared what news he learned from his family, whose home had been heavily damaged. Despite an unimaginably stressful situation, Illia proved to be a mature, gracious, and engaging guest. He soon felt like a grandson to us, not a performer passing through. We were thrilled when he won second prize. “Hilton Head Monthly” picked up Illia’s story and soon all of Hilton Head learned about this remarkable young man. We keep in touch weekly, receiving updates on his family. We could not be prouder of Illia and look forward to sharing in his continued success. Our lives have indeed been changed!”

The HHIPC proved to be an important steppingstone for Illia Ovcharenko. This past summer he won the Honens Competition (Calgary, Canada), which includes a $100,000 prize and an Artist Development Program valued at half a million dollars. Then this fall, he won first prize at the New York International Piano Competition and gave his debut recital in Carnegie’s Weill Hall in January 2023. He is pursuing a Master of Music at Hanover’s Hochschule für Musik in Germany.

Photo by frenchguyphotography

BE PART OF THE HHIPC EXPERIENCE

Count me in to support the Hilton Head International Piano Competition! Please contact me:

NAME PHONE

ADDRESS

EMAIL

FUND-A-NEED – “MUSIC AMBASSADORS”

Your contribution will fund special educational outreach programs in area schools and community centers to foster music appreciation and encourage musical exploration and education. With the drastic cuts in funding for school music programs, it’s more important than ever that students are exposed to live music whenever possible. Your support not only benefits the students experiencing these performances, but also helps our competitors by providing them the opportunity to engage personally with young audiences.

$2,000 underwrites a solo recital at SoundWaves and includes in-school performances earlier in the day by the featured soloist

$1,000 underwrites a solo recital at a local community center

$500 sponsors a school’s music class to attend the HHIPC

$250 sponsors an in-school performance by an HHIPC competitor

_____ $100 “Adopt–a–Piano” program helps maintain a school’s piano to performance-ready condition

$50 provides tickets to a student and escort to attend an HHSO concert

BECOME A MEMBER OF “THE 88 KEY SOCIETY” OR “PAY FOR A PIPER”

See page 65 for program benefits.

88 KEY SOCIETY

Number of Keys ($500 per key) Preferred Key

PAY FOR A PIPER

_____ Celebrate our Conductor ($1000)

_____ Vie for a Violin ($500)

_____ Value a Viola ($500)

_____ Choose a Cello ($500)

_____ Bank on a Bass ($500)

_____ Favor a Flute ($500)

_____ Clamor for a Clarinet ($500)

_____ Opt for an Oboe ($500)

_____ Highlight a Horn ($500)

_____ Target a Trumpet ($500)

_____ Treasure a Trombone ($500)

_____ Tout a Tuba ($500)

_____ Have a Harp ($500)

_____ Power the Percussion ($500)

_____ Tap into Timpani ($500)

_____ Back a Bassoon ($500)

VOLUNTEER AT A FUTURE COMPETITION OR HOST A COMPETITOR

I want to volunteer

I would like to host a competitor

BE PART OF THE HHIPC EXPERIENCE

The HHIPC strives to deliver extraordinary experiences for the young artists who grace our stage and for our dedicated audiences who have come to hear them for 27 years. It may look seamless but be assured there are a lot of moving parts! Staging the HHIPC takes planning, executional discipline, and a great deal of support. Are you wondering how you can be part of the HHIPC experience? There are many options in addition to a monetary donation, although that is always welcome. The 88 Key Society and Pay-for-a-Piper are always “open for business,” but there are many other ways you can get involved.

TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THE HHIPC

Marketers consider word-of-mouth among the most valuable forms of promotion. Even after 27 years, there are many locals who do not know that the HHIPC exists. Perhaps you belong to a group that would like someone from the HHIPC to come and speak. Or, simply offer to take a friend or new neighbor when you attend.

COME TO THE HHIPC RECITAL SERIES AT SOUNDWAVES

Each season we schedule several concerts which feature acclaimed pianists, including previous competitors and other artists. These intimate evenings are spread throughout the year and are a wonderful way to support the HHIPC. There is one more recital this season—Chinese pianist Fei-Fei, an audience favorite, performs at SoundWaves Thursday, May 11. See page 73 for more information.

ATTEND “MUSICAL FEAST”

HHIPC’s annual benefit--in conjunction with the HHSO—is a celebration of our longstanding commitment to excellence in promoting and nurturing talented young pianists. This engaging and entertaining evening features delights for both your ears and your palate, showcasing musicians from the HHSO plus at least one magnificent HHIPC alum! See page 73.

BECOME A HOST

You could host a competitor during the competition, host a dinner for the judges, or if you have a piano, host a judge for practice time. Most of our hosts have done this multiple times, and always proclaim what a rewarding experience it is.

VOLUNTEER AT THE COMPETITION

In addition to being an usher, there are many other fun jobs such as greeting competitors as they arrive to perform, staffing the judges� room (coffee must be hot and candy dishes full!), selling tickets or merchandise in the lobby, and more.

JOIN THE HHIPC COMMITTEE

This leadership group of about a dozen piano enthusiasts meets monthly starting in September. There are a variety of positions available such as helping with the Ambassador Program, working with host families, organizing “Musical Feast,” production, transportation and more. Newcomers are always welcome!

BECOME A SPONSOR/ADVERTISER

Every not-for-profit depends on sponsors who help defray costs and keep tickets reasonably priced. HHIPC sponsors include a variety of local businesses. Sponsors receive ads in both the HHSO and HHIPC program books. We also feature sponsors in our own advertising campaigns throughout the season. Sponsorships and advertising rates vary in price, with a level to fit most budgets.

The planning for our BravoPiano! Festival in 2024 is about to get underway. Please consider joining the HHIPC family. Email Director Steve Shaiman at sshaiman@hhso.org and he’ll be happy to put in you in tune with our organization!

2023 DONORS

As of February 1, 2023

Gift of $5,000 - $9,999

Mary and Mike Briggs

Joan and Charlie Dattelbaum

Mary Ann and Tarrant Putnam

Diana Riggle

Gift of $2,000 - $4,999

Bob and Heather Cherichella

Mary Ann and John Goodrich

Mike and Susan Harter

Joe and Mona Huff

Laura and Bret Jacobowitz

Joan and Bob Koenig

Mary Princing

Sylvia Richards

Connie Silvester

Bill and Judy Thorpe

Gift of $1,000 - $1,999

Dede Bethke

Nancy and Dave Borghesi

Ted and Clair Craver

Ralph and Sandy Drayer

Eileen and Jerry Durkin

Buck and Karen Edwards

Peter and Cary Fleming

Frederick and Carol Hack

Andy and Meg Heller

Barbara Holmes

Bill Hutchinson

Linda and Ray Moloney

Peggi Moon

Jim and Marty Neumeister

Barbara Sorkin

Carol Tucker

Kathy and Bill Zurilla

Gift of $500 - $999

Chris and Mary Albright

Peggy Ashworth

John and Susan Hartmann Austin

Stephen and Karen Ball

Malcolm and Jillian Binks

Dom and Estie Bonanno

Dan and Betsy Brown

Mike and Ginger Caporal

Nancy Contel

David and Romy Coquillette

Bill and Linda DeArment

Dave and Linda Dreisbach

Chuck and Linda Eberly

Jay and Trish Elliot

Sally Evans

Barbara Fleisher

Debby Graves

Kathy Grote

Lynn Gustafson

Karin and George Haupstein

HHSO Musicians

Mila Sheeline and Ryan Huff

Alan and Karen Jordan

Laura and Mike Kling

Juan and Christine LaCerda

Larry Kramer and Myla Lerner

Nancy Lopresti

Clare and Jim Mackie

Jeanne and Joe Maguire

Laura Marks

Nancy Minor

Jane and Bill Murray

Mary Noonan

Tim and Mona Ridge

Jeffrey Roberts

Nina and Stu Rodman

Charles and Frances Sampson

Van and Lauren Schwiebert

Charles and Pat Sinatra

Hendrik and Mieke Smit

Don and Joanne Staffa

Lorene Thornbury

Jerry and Connie Voight

Jim Way

Jim and Florence Willard

Julie Williams

Lois Wilson

Barbara Wolf

Gift of $100 - $499

Carol and Sherm Barker

Joe Chappell

Barry and Naomi Cohen

John and Barbara Collins

Laurel and Richard Johnson

Keith and Robin Larsen

Janine Nelson

Gift up to $99

Barbara Altman

Barbara Borg

Tom Bresnick

Ann Cafferty

Jason Economides

Micah Gangwer

Scott Garrett

Vasily Gorkovoy

Anne Holmi

Mario Incorvaia

Lorraine Jones

Lizhou Liu

Angela Loizides

Paul Lott

Stephanie Furry Mason

Ray McClain

Daniel Mumm

Kelly Odell

Matthew Peebles

Carl Polk

Mary Reed

Nina Sandberg

Gerome Stewart

Lauren Stuligross

Cynthia Sulko

Marina Volynets

Vadim Volynets

Jeffrey Watson

Mary Ann Watson

Jonathan Wright

Regina Helcher Yost

88 KEY SOCIETY

The 88 Key Society is limited to a maximum of 88 members, each of whom “owns” one or more specific keys on the “competition piano.” One becomes a member of this exclusive group with an annual donation of $500 per key. Members enjoy special recognition and benefits including:

• Their name on their key(s) of the 88 Key Society Keyboard displayed at all HHSO and HHIPC events throughout the concert season.

• Preferred seating for tickets purchased for HHIPC events.

• Listing in the HHIPC program book and on the HHIPC and HHSO websites.

• Invitations to exclusive 88 Key Society special events held throughout 2022-2023 including Movie Night, an evening featuring hors d’oeuvres, libations, and a film screening.

88 KEY SOCIETY • 2023 MEMBERS

Chris and Mary Albright

Barbara Altman

Peggy Ashworth

Karen and Stephen Ball

Dede Bethke

Malcolm and Jillian Binks

Estie and Dominick Bonanno

Barbara Borg

Nancy and Dave Borghesi

Tom Bresnick

Mary and Mike Briggs

Betsy and Dan Brown

Ann Cafferty

Heather and Bob Cherichella

David and Romy Coquilette in honor of Lorene Thornbury

Ted and Clair Craver

Joan and Charlie Dattelbaum

Linda and Bill DeArment

Sandy and Ralph Drayer

David and Linda Dreisbach

Eileen and Jerry Durkin

Linda and Chuck Eberly

Jason Economides

Karen and Buck Edwards

Trish and Jay Elliot

Sally Evans

Barbara Fleisher

Cary and Peter Fleming

Micah Gangwer

Scott Garrett

Mary Ann and John Goodrich

Vasily Gorkovoy

Debby Graves

Kathy Grote

Lynn Gustafson

Carol and Frederick Hack

Susan and Michael Harter

Karin Haupstein

HHSO Musicians

Anne Holmi

Mona and Joe Huff

Mila Sheeline and Ryan Huff

Mario Incorvaia

Laura and Bret Jacobowitz

Lorraine Jones

Laura and Mike Kling

Joan and Bob Koenig

Christine and Juan LaCerda

Myla Lerner and Larry Kramer

Lizhou Liu

Angela Loizides

Paul Lott

Jim and Clare Mackie

Jeanne and Joe Maguire

Laura Marks

Stephanie Furry Mason

Ray McClain

Nancy Minor

Peggi Moon

Daniel Mumm

Jane and Bill Murray

Marty and Jim Neumeister

Mary Noonan

Kelly Odell

Matthew Peebles

Carl Polk

Mary Princing

Mary Ann and Tarrant Putnam

Mary Reed

Sylvia Richards

Mona and Tim Ridge

Diana Riggle

Jeffrey Roberts

Nina and Stu Rodman

Frances and Charles Sampson

Nina Sandberg

Lauren and Van Schwiebert

Pat and Charles Sinatra

Mieke and Hendrik Smit

Barbara Sorkin

Gerome Stewart

Lauren Stuligross

Cynthia Sulko

Lorene Thornbury

Judy and Bill Thorpe

Carol Tucker

Marina Volynets

Vadim Volynets

Connie and Jerry Voight

Jeff Watson

Mary Ann Watson

Jim Way

Florence and Jim Willard

Julie Williams

Lois Wilson

Barbara Wolf

Jonathan Wright

Regina Helcher Yost

Kathy and Bill Zurilla

This list is compiled as of February 1, 2023. Occasionally, errors, omission, and mistakes occur. Please let us know if there is an error in your listing.

PAY FOR A PIPER

Our fabulous conductor and HHSO musicians are an “instrumental” part of the piano competition as they accompany the finalists’ concerto performances. “Pay for a Piper” offers Competition supporters the chance to salute their favorite instruments and instrumentalistswith a contribution to “pay for the pipers.” We proudly present 2023’s Piper Patrons.

Celebrate the Conductor

Linda and Ray Moloney

Constance Silvester

Vie for a Violin

Cary and Peter Fleming

Mary Ann and John Goodrich

Mona and Joe Huff

Peggi Moon

Value a Viola

Heather and Bob Cherichella

Choose a Cello

Joan and Bob Koenig

Diana Riggle

Constance Silvester

Bank on a Bass

Heather and Bob Cherichella

Judy and Bill Thorpe

Favor a Flute

Joan and Charlie Dattelbaum

Opt for an Oboe

Mona and Joe Huff

Mary Princing

Bill and Kathy Zurilla

Clamor for a Clarinet

Laura and Bret Jacobowitz

Mary Princing

Book a Bassoon

Susan and Michael Harter

Highlight a Horn

Barbara Holmes

Constance Silvester

Target a Trumpet

Buck and Karen Edwards

Tap into Timpani

Sandy and Ralph Drayer

Have a Harp

Carol and Frederick Hack

Tout a Tuba

Karen and Alan Jordan

Jim and Marty Neumeister

Treasure a Trombone

Diana Riggle

John and Susan Hartmann Austin

Power the Percussion

Mike and Ginger Caporal

MONA HUFF CARNEGIE HALL RECITAL FUND

Peggy and Vic Arrington

Peggy Ashworth

Karen and Stephen Ball

Dede Bethke

Estie and Dom Bonanno

Mary and Mike Briggs

Bob and Heather Cherichella

Liz and Todd Clist

Joan and Charlie Dattelbaum

Ralph and Sandy Drayer

Eileen and Jerry Durkin

Jacqueline Fesq

Peter and Cary Fleming

Bobbi Fox

Joe and Judy Gimbel

Mary Ann and John Goodrich

Carol and Frederick Hack

Michael and Susan Harter

Barbara Holmes

Candice Hough

Joe and Mona Huff

Ryan Huff and Mila Sheeline

Laura and Bret Jacobowitz

Joan and Bob Koenig

The League of the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra

Joseph and Jeanne Maguire

Laura Marks

The Moloneys

Peggi Moon

Marty and Jim Neumeister

Mary Noonan

HHIPC 2022 Jury in honor of Mona Huff

Mary Princing and Bill Clark

Mary Ann and Tarrant Putnam

Bill and Jan Raisch

Diana Riggle

Stu and Nina Rodman

Willis and Doris Shay

Constance Silvester

Mieke and Hendrik Smit

Barbara Harris Sorkin

Lorene Coquillette Thornbury

Judy and Bill Thorpe

Connie and Jerry Voigt

Jim Way

James T. and Florence M. Willard

Julie Williams

Lois Wilson

Lists compiled as of February 1, 2023

HOST FAMILIES FOR COMPETITORS

Dede Bethke

Keyi Wang

Ingrid and Craig Boatwright

Yuhe Jin

Marleen and Jack Cain

Caden Lin

Patsy Brison and Scott Camp

Ruby Wu

Pam and Peter Cooper

Rebekah Yinuo Tan

Linda and Dave Dreisbach

Chengyao Zhou

Eileen and Jerry Durkin

Zhonghua Wei

Judy and Joe Gimbel

Andrew Sijie Li

Cynthia and George Gorski-Popiel

David Choi

Debbie Graves and Nancy LoPresti

Lindsey Yang

Victoria Holdren

Zarin Mehta

Laura and Bret Jacobowitz

Nathaniel Zhang

Kitty and Don Krahnke

Xinran Shi

Susan and John McClave

Takuma Onodera

Peggi Moon

Sawako Harada

Marty and Jim Neumeister

William Ge

Jan and Bill Raisch

Kevin Wang

Lauren and Van Schwiebert

Donghwi Kang

Elizabeth and Edward Simmons

Kyle Yeung

Barbara Sorkin

Riko Ando

DINNER HOSTS FOR JUDGES

Heather and Bob Cherichella

Sandy and Ralph Drayer

Trish and Jay Elliot

Mona and Joe Huff

Mary Murray

Mary Noonan

PIANO HOSTS FOR JUDGES

Judges who request access to a practice piano during the Competition are graciously hosted in area homes. Confirmed at publication:

Chris and Mary Albright

Lavonne Hales Mieke and Hendrik Smit

2023 HHIPC VOLUNTEERS

As of February 11, 2023

Kathy Alven

Pat Angleson

Carol Barker

Sherman Barker

Janet Bender

Sue Blake

Joni Boehm

Catherine Breitholtz

Dennis Breiholtz

Cathy Brigham

Beatrice Buxton

Look for our volunteers throughout our venues. They are here to welcome and assist you. This dedicated group has been recruited and trained by Bill and Kathy Zurilla. A special thank you to all!

Mike Caporal

Dan Castro

Ann Collier

Mary Collins

Beth Corry

Celeste Crago

Joan Dattelbaum

Eileen Durkin

Jerry Durkin

Sue Dussinger

Kathy Emery

Mike Emery

Eileen Fitzgerald

Peter Forbes

Mary Ann Goodrich

Lynn Gustafson

Carol Gyllenhoff

Ann Harrison

Morgan Harrison

Karin Haupstein

Sue Henderson

Tim Henderson

Mary Lou Hiatt

Ray Hickey

Terry Hicks

Barbara Holmes

Candi Hough

Lois Hoyt-Berry

Jan Hunter

Bill Hutchinson

Laura Kling

Michael Kling

Bob Koenig

Sue Lievense

Suzy Makalous

Doris Malkowski

Peg McCann

Joann McElravy

Joy McNeill

Nancy Minor

Peggi Moon

Anne Moseley

Colin Moseley

Jim Neumeister

Marty Neumeister

Barbara Nichols

Nick Nichols

Betsy Pehrson

Sandra Ploszaj

Joyce Prange

Prue Preston

Connie Rathman

Sally Richards

Diana Riggle

Carolyn Robinson

Betsy Roll

Louise Rose

Catherine Sartorius

Joan Savage

Wayne Savage

Keith Schlegel

Maureen Schlegel

Pam Schofield

Barbara Schulz

Julie Scovel

Alison Shenkus

Shirley Sigler

Megan Sisson

Barton Smith

Kristina Smith

Barbara Sorkin

Jan Stallmeyer

Mary Wilcox

Marti Willits

Laureen Yingling

Kathy Zurilla

Bill Zurilla

2023 COMPETITION COMMITTEE

Competition Director – Steven Shaiman

Grants/Special Projects – Jim Neumeister

Hospitality – Sue Blake, Celeste Crago, Eileen Durkin

Host Families – Barbara Holmes, Peggi Moon

Marketing/Social Media – Bob Koenig

Member-at-Large – Barbara Sorkin

Musical Feast – Joan Dattelbaum, Eileen Durkin, Peggi Moon

Production – Jerry Durkin, Scott Camp

Program Book – Gayle Lang, Julie Williams

Tickets and Merchandise Sales – Lynn Gustafson

Transportation – Mike Caporal, Scott Camp

Volunteers – Bill and Kathy Zurilla

SPECIAL THANKS TO…

Arts Center of Coastal Carolina

Stephen Ball — The Great Frame Up

Sandy Benson and Iain Brown — Custom Audio Video

Lisa Bernstein — The Purple Cow

Alan Bise, Azica Records – Audio and Streaming Engineers

Jean-Marie Coté – thefrenchguyphotography

Courtyard by Marriot

Culinary Institute of the South

Joan and Charlie Dattelbaum

Arno Dimmling, Photography

Eileen and Jerry Durkin

First Presbyterian Church Fresh Market

Mark Gilmour – Video Recording Engineer

Charles Grace – Designer, Local Life

Harris Teeter Stores

Jeff and Jennifer Herrin – Owners, Kwai Piano Gallery

Hilton Garden Inn

Hilton Head Dance Theater

Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra/SoundWaves

Mona Huff

Joan and Bob Koenig

League of the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra

Lean Ensemble Theater

Markel’s Card and Gift Shop

Michael Anthony’s Cucina Italiana

Park Central Hotel, New York

Piggly Wiggly

Red Fish Restaurant

Rice Music House

Rollers Wine and Spirits

Thea Tjepkema and John Morris Russell

Salty Dog Tee Shirts

Savannah Hilton Head International Airport

Savannah Music Festival

SERG Restaurant Group

Sonesta Resort— Official Hotel

St. Luke’s Church

Stan Smith Events

Steinway & Sons

Studio One Awards & Engraving the greenery, inc.

Walmart Inc.

Please consider patronizing the generous companies which support the 2022 Hilton Head International Piano Competition

#SMF2023 CLASSICAL HIGHLIGHTS

ZURICH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

FEAT. DANIEL HOPE & PHILIP DUKES

THURSDAY, MARCH 23 AT 7:30 PM | LUCAS THEATRE FOR THE ARTS

ALEXANDER MALOFEEV, PIANO

FRIDAY, MARCH 24 AT 6 PM | TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

PHILIP DUKES & FRIENDS I–IV

SUNDAY, MARCH 26–TUESDAY, APRIL 4 AT 6 PM | TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

ANNA TILBROOK & FRIENDS

TUESDAY, MARCH 28 AT 12:30 PM | TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

JACK LIEBECK, VIOLIN & SEBASTIAN KNAUER, PIANO

FRIDAY, MARCH 31 AT 12:30 PM | TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

DOVER QUARTET WITH JOSEPH CONYERS

THURSDAY, APRIL 6 AT 6 PM | TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

EMERSON STRING QUARTET FRIDAY, APRIL 7 AT 6 PM |

DREW

SAVANNAH MUSIC FESTIVAL

MARCH 23–APRIL 8, 2023

A WORLD OF MUSIC. ONE CITY.

Box Office: 912.525.5050

SUSTAINING THE COMPETITION

BUSINESS SPONSORS

PLATINUM LEVEL

Official Hotel

Official Competition Piano

GOLD LEVEL

Master Class Sponsor

Savannah/ HH International Airport | The Great Frame Up Custom Audio Video | Morgan Stanley | Rice Music House

SILVER LEVEL

Correll Insurance Group | Kawai Piano Gallery by Herrin

EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH SPONSOR

LIVE STREAMING SPONSORS

Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce | Hargray Communications

GRANTORS

Town of Hilton Head | Howard Gilman Foundation | R. J. Samulski Innovation Foundation

A MUSICAL FEAST

Thanks to all who attended “Musical Feast,” the benefit for the HHIPC held January 18, 2023, at the Sonesta Resort. Last year’s Jubilee celebrating 75 years—40 for the HHSO, 10 for John Morris Russell, and 25 for the HHIPC—set a high bar. “Musical Feast” 2023 did not disappoint!

This year’s audience of nearly 150 was highly appreciative of the excellent food and especially of our magnificent performers who shared their artistry across a range of genres —pianist Ran Dank and HHSO trio members Nina Sandberg (violin), Daniel Mumm (cello), and Chee-Hang See (piano). Tenor Bernard Holcomb was joined by Chee-Hang to close the evening in style.

Ran Dank is an HHIPC alum, having won the competition in 2008. Mr. Holcomb, a much sought-after vocalist, was in town as one of the soloists for the HHSO’s January concert, the magnificent oratorio “Elijah.” It was a special pleasure to be able to feature musicians from our own orchestra (Nina and Daniel), in collaboration with Chee-Hang on piano. In addition, there was a heartfelt tribute to our recently retired director, Mona Huff, in celebration of her 12 years of devoted leadership.

Special thanks to those who donated the live auction items, the people who bid on them, and to the stellar committee members who made it happen.

“Musical Feast” is rapidly becoming one of HHI’s most sought after tickets. We look forward to celebrating with you again next year!

FEI-FEI IN RECITAL MAY 11

What an honor it will be to welcome Fei-Fei back to Hilton Head. Her performance at SoundWaves on Thursday, May 11 will conclude the HHIPC’s 2022-2023 Recital Series. We first met Fei-Feii as a 20-year-old when she competed here in 2012, winning a medal as one of the six semi-finalists. She impressed audiences with her talent, warmth and charm, and has returned to the Lowcountry several times, adding her artistry to the inaugural BravoPiano! Festival in 2018 and then a year later for our “Musical Feast” benefit. Major accomplishments since competing here include winning the Concert Artists Guild Competition (affording her professional

management from our very own Director Steve Shaiman, who was Senior VP of Artist Management at CAG at the time), and she was a finalist at the 2013 Van Cliburn International Competition, where she was prominently featured in the documentary made about the competition, “Virtuosity.” FeiFei maintains an active concert schedule in the US, Europe, and Asia. She is pursuing a Doctoral of Music Arts degree at the Manhattan School of Music with Yefim Bronfman.

This is an evening you will not want to miss! Tickets available at hhipc.org or by calling the HHSO office (843) 842-2055.

Cincinnati Enquirer

“Fei-Fei displayed a natural musicality and beauty of tone; I enjoyed her fluid technique and her presence at the piano.”

Photos by Arlo Dimmling

Welcoming Artistic Director, Dustin C. Ousley

Masterclasses and evening concerts with guest artists Ying Li, Sullivan Fortner, Anthony de Mare and John O’Conor; performance opportunities and more.

Competition First Prize: $5,000 and performance with SC Philharmonic; Second Prize $2,500; Third Prize $1,500

The University of South Carolina School of Music presents The 2023 Southeastern Piano Festival and Arthur Fraser International Piano Competition

June 11-17, 2023 for pianists 13-18

Featuring lessons with USC piano faculty

Application information at SoutheasternPianoFestival.com Deadline to apply: March 15, 2023

Phillip Bush, Artistic Director • Caroline Earp, Executive Administrator

Phillip Bush Sara M. Ernst Scott Price

Omar Roy Nicholas Susi

SAVE THE DATES!

RAY USHIKUBO PLAYS BEETHOVEN WITH THE HHSO

SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2023 4:00 PM

MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2023 7:00 PM

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The HHSO is thrilled to welcome Ray Ushikubo, first prize winner of the Young Artist Competition in 2017, back to the stage. He will play Beethoven’s Concerto No. 1 under the baton of Guest Conductor Michelle Merrill. Don’t miss the pre-concert talk one hour prior to the concert.

FEI-FEI IN RECITAL

THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2023, 7:30 PM

SOUNDWAVES

A competitor at the HHIPC in 2012, Fei-Fei returns to the Lowcountry for the final special event of the season. Read about Fei-Fei on page 73.

“MOVIE NIGHT”

FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2023

SOUNDWAVES

Private Event for 88 Key Society and Pay For A Piper Members

Details to be announced

2023 WINNER’S RETURN ENGAGEMENT

This year’s winner will return to play with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra during the 2023-2024 season. Dates to be announced.

BRAVOPIANO! FESTIVAL

FEBRUARY 29 – MARCH 4, 2024

The Hilton Head International Piano Competition announces the return of BravoPiano!—a festival spotlighting outstanding former prize winners of the HHIPC, as well as other famous pianists, as they perform in solo recitals and ensembles. Especially exciting will be the continuation of a jazz thread woven throughout the week. Specific events and artists to be announced. We return to a competition format in 2025.

Tickets for the Ushikubo concert and Fei-Fei’s recital on sale at hhso.org or call the Box Office (843) 843-2055.

HILTON HEAD INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION

Take Your Encore Here

We are pleased to announce that Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island is the Official Hotel of the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra and the Hilton Head International Piano Competition for the 2023-2024 season.

Complement a perfect performance with a tasteful night out. Nestled along the coast with stunning views and lush landscapes our award-winning Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island is a premier destination for getaways, gatherings or business.

With our full-service Arum Spa, indoor and al fresco dining, and relaxing accommodations, we’re the place to eat, meet and stay on the island. Please consider making your reservations at Sonesta when friends and family are visiting Hilton Head.

Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island

130 Shipyard Drive

Hilton Head, SC 29928 | 843.842.2400 Sonesta.com/hiltonheadisland

SonestaHiltonHeadIsland SonestaHHI

97% OF PIANO SOLOISTS Choose the Steinway Piano.

“Steinway allows me to unfold the world of imagination.”

-

YUJA WANG