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

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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.