2022-23 Canadian International Music Competition
Liu Yi - Voice (Countertenor) - Artist Category - Absolute Platinum Medalist - China
The first master of Countertenor in Xinghai Conservatory of Music. Member of Guangdong youth culture and Art Development Promotion Association Award : In 2018, he participated in the 10th Heilongjiang Provincial Music Competition sponsored by Heilongjiang Musicians Association and won the gold award of Bel Canto professional group. In 2019, he participated in the (2019) Macau International Art Open and won the gold award of the youth professional group. In 2019, he participated in the (2019) Hong Kong International Vocal open and won the first prize of the youth professional group. In 2019, he participated in (2019) Hong Kong International Music Festival and won the first prize of Bel Canto open group. In 2019, he participated in the (2019) international competition of American classical musicians, successfully entered the final and was highly praised by the expert judges of American colleges and universities. In 2020, he participated in the (2020) New York International Opera Competition and won the excellent performance award in the China trial.
Yumi Jang - Piano - Artist Category - Absolute Platinum Medalist - Republic of Korea
Pianist Yumi Jang enjoys a dynamic, international career as concerto soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician. Recent performance venues have included at the Mirabel Palace in Austria (with the Salzburg Mirabel Chamber Orchestra), the Miriam A. Friedberg Concert Hall and Shriver Hall in Maryland, U.S.A., and von Kuster Hall in Ontario, Canada, as a soloist and an ensemble musician. She will continue to perform in various competitions and recital venues across Asia and throughout North America this year.
Recent winner of the 2022 “Pianist of the Year” ECM Grand Prix award and the Absolute Platinum Prize at the 2022 Canadian International Music Competition, Yumi also earned the Platinum Medal at the Global International Music Competition, the Gold Prize in the International European Classical Music Pianist Award Competition, the Gold Prize and Country Representative Winner in the International European Autumn Competition. She also was top award winner at the Asia Chopin International Competition, Hong Kong Asia Open International Piano Competition (Youth class and Schumann categories), and Korea/France Art & Culture International Exchange Association National Music Competition
Beginning piano studies at age 4, Yumi won numerous awards and performed throughout her native South Korea before completing her undergraduate degree at Yonsei University in South Korea. She then earned her Master of Music degree at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University in U.S.A., before commencing doctoral studies at the University of Minnesota Twin-Cities with Dr. Kyung Kim. She is currently a graduate teaching assistant and candidate for the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree at Western University (Ontario, Canada) in the studio of Dr. Kyung Kim.
A dedicated teacher and certified piano education specialist, Yumi’s students have been accepted into renowned music institutes, arts schools, and universities internationally and won numerous awards in various competitions.
Gillian Derer - Flute - Artist Category - Absolute Platinum Medalist - Canada
Canadian flutist Gillian Derer is an imaginative emerging artist known for her passion, dedication and dazzling on-stage energy. Her career has been shaped by the instruction of some of the world’s most highly regarded flutists, notably Emmanuel Pahud, Julien Beaudiment, Marina Piccinini, Susan Hoeppner, and Jacinthe Forand. The winner of the Western University Concerto Competition, (2020), the R.S Woodwind & Co. Scholarship (2022), and the Tim and Frances Price Woodwind Scholarship (2022), Gillian is an avid chamber musician and was a chamber music fellow of the Magisterra Soloists in 2021. Gillian has performed with The Western University Symphony Orchestra, The Western University Opera Orchestra, and most recently, she joins the esteemed Royal Conservatory Orchestra. Gillian obtained her Bachelor of Music with distinction from Western University in 2022 under the tutelage of Sharon Kahan, and is currently in her first year of the Artist Diploma program at the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music, where she studies with Susan Hoeppner on full scholarship and performs in a flute and harp duo titled Affettuoso Duo. Gillian shares her musical life on Youtube and Instagram for those interested in the daily life of a young artist and who’d like to follow along while she builds her career. Gillian is an absolute first prize winner of the Canadian International Music Competition, and couldn’t be more thrilled and grateful for the opportunity!
Canadian flutist Gillian Derer is an imaginative emerging artist known for her passion, dedication and dazzling on-stage energy. Her career has been shaped by the instruction of some of the world’s most highly regarded flutists, notably Emmanuel Pahud, Julien Beaudiment, Marina Piccinini, Susan Hoeppner, and Jacinthe Forand. The winner of the Western University Concerto Competition, (2020), the R.S Woodwind & Co. Scholarship (2022), and the Tim and Frances Price Woodwind Scholarship (2022), Gillian is an avid chamber musician and was a chamber music fellow of the Magisterra Soloists in 2021. Gillian has performed with The Western University Symphony Orchestra, The Western University Opera Orchestra, and most recently, she joins the esteemed Royal Conservatory Orchestra. Gillian obtained her Bachelor of Music with distinction from Western University in 2022 under the tutelage of Sharon Kahan, and is currently in her first year of the Artist Diploma program at the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music, where she studies with Susan Hoeppner on full scholarship and performs in a flute and harp duo titled Affettuoso Duo. Gillian shares her musical life on Youtube and Instagram for those interested in the daily life of a young artist and who’d like to follow along while she builds her career. Gillian is an absolute first prize winner of the Canadian International Music Competition, and couldn’t be more thrilled and grateful for the opportunity!
Felix Wang - Violin - Young Artist Category - Absolute Platinum Medalist - USA
Felix Wang started taking violin lessons when he was four and became a member of BYSO two years after. He plays the concertmaster for BYSO, SEMMEA and SEMSBA. Felix was the 1st place winner of the Bay State String Competition, the Elite International Music Competition, the Grand Prize Virtuoso Competition, the VIVO International Music Competition, Danubia Talents Liszt International Music Competition, the American Protégé International Piano & String Competition (Judges’ Distinction Award) and etc. Felix was also the Grand Prix winner of the Concert Festival Orchestra International Concerto Competition. Felix was invited to perform at the Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Musikverein in Vienna, and Beethoven’s House in Bonn, Germany. Felix had attended music camps and festivals such as BYSO Summer camp in ME, Narnia Festival Summer Program in Italy, and Meadowmount School of Music in NY. Felix also enjoys time with friends on his East Coast Militia Hockey team.
Michelle Cao - Piano - Young Artist Category - Absolute Platinum Medalist - USA
Michelle Cao is 15 years old. She started to play the piano at the age of 6 with Yunbo
Cassady and currently studies with Dr. Sasha Starcevich.
Michelle has won the 1 st Prize and the “Outstanding Musicality” Prize in the Schubert
International Music Competition, the Absolute 1 st Prize in the Canadian International
Music Competition, and 2 nd Place Prize in the Pacific International Youth Music
Competition. In addition, she also won top prizes in many regional competitions such as
the Chopin NW competitions, the Washington State Outstanding Artist Piano
Competition, Pacific NW Piano competitions, the EMTA scholarship competitions, the
Seattle Bach Festivals, and so on. In 2021, She was selected to participate in Vivace
International Piano Festival and was invited to perform at the Seattle Chamber Music
Society Young Artist Showcase Concert. Michelle has taken many master classes with
world-renowned pianists including Ilana Vered, Arthur Greene, Haewon Song, Robert Shannon, James Giles and Joseph Rackers.
In addition to piano, Michelle is a competitive badminton player. She loves writing, drawing, painting and math.
Emanuele Stracchi - Composition - Artist Category - Platinum Medalist - Italy
Italian musician born in 1990, active as a pianist, composer, conductor and harpsichordist, he studied at the Briccialdi in Terni and the S.Cecilia Conservatory in Rome. Also interested in improvisation, ancient music and new languages such as jazz, he has won numerous international competitions as a pianist, including the First Prize at the Virtuoso Grand Prize in Vienna, Bonn, Amsterdam. His compositions are recorded and performed at important organizations such as ICBSA, IUC, Rai Radio 3 and abroad (Sweden, Spain, Croatia, Germany, USA); he publishes for EROM Edizioni Romana Musica. As a composer of both film and contemporary music he has received numerous awards including the “Gastone Moschin” Award at the Terni Film Festival 2022 and the First Prize for the New York Global Music Competition. He is a professor at the Cagliari Conservatory.
Oliver Gruhn - Composition - Artist Category - Platinum Medalist - Germany
Oliver Gruhn was born in 1968, at the age of 8 he got trumpet lessons, two years later he was
accepted at the special school for music "Hanns Eisler". There he changed to trombone at the
age of 12 and studied trombone with Gerhard Haas and composition with Prof. Dr. Wolfram
Heicking at the Hochschule für Musik "Hanns Eisler" Berlin. From 1988 until today he has
been both deputy principal trombonist and principal trombonist of the Norddeutsche Philharmonie Rostock.
Oliver Gruhn's compositional output is wide-ranging, encompassing chamber music pieces, large-scale symphonic pieces, stage music, jazz compositions, a solo concerto, film music, opera and five major orchestral song cycles. Through the song he has a close collaboration with the soprano Diana Schnürpel since 2020, she has already recorded most of the songs for soprano.
Qiaoqiao Du - Violin - Artist Category - Platinum Medalist - China
QIAOQIAO DU is a 2019 violin performance major student in the School of Music, Central University for Nationalities. He was born in Changsha, Hunan Province in 2000 and began to learn violin at the age of 4. In 2019, she was admitted to the violin performance major of the Conservatory of Music of Central University for Nationalities. She learn from Professor Zhenguo pang. participated in various performances and played soloist in the Central University for Nationalities. participated in the Singapore International Music Festival in 2019, won the gold medal of the youth group in the Canada Quebec International Music Competition in 2020, and won the third place in the university professional group in the Prokofiev International Music Competition (Asia Pacific Region) in 2021 and 2022 Platinum Medal in Canada International Competition.
Juhee Park - Piano - Artist Category - Platinum Medalist - South Korea
Juhee Park is an enthusiastic pianist who has a motto of 'becoming a messenger of composers' and plunges into a wide range of repertoire.
She recently earned the Platinum Medal at the Canadian International Music competition, and the Silver Medal at the North American Virtuoso International Music Competition in 2022.
Juhee was the third place winner of the Korea Music Competition, and the top prize winner at the Joongang National Music Concours in 2012. She also recieved a “Scholarhip for the Talented Students of Arts” from the Scholarship Committee of Busanjin-gu. Juhee studied at Dong-eui University as a scholarship student and graduated summa cum laude with a BM in piano performance.
She worked as a graduated teaching assistant at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, and got her Master of Music degree. She is currently a student of Doctoral of Musical Arts in the studio of Dr. Kyung Kim, and a graduate teaching assistant at Western University.
Zhuoma Jiangyong - Violin - Artist Category - Platinum Medalist - China
Zhuoma Jiangyong is Currently pursuing her under graduated Of Musical Arts in violin performance at the Minzu University of China and entered the Yangfan violin studio founded by professor Zhenguo Pang in 2019.She has been participated in violin competitions at home and abroad many times and acquired several prizes, including the Platinum medal of 2021 Quebec Music Competition Online International and the Gold Award Of Global International Music Competition. In senior high school, she was the concert master of the school orchestra and attended The First Annual Master Players Festival & School 2018.
Zurui Tai - Piano - Artist Category - Platinum Medalist - USA
Zurui Tai, member of the United States Music Teachers National
Association, ISME International Society for Music Education, and
World Piano Teachers Association, has made significant
accomplishments in his musical journey. With numerous awards,
first prizes, and scholarships to his name, Zurui has made his mark
in various music festivals and international piano competitions.
Some of his notable achievements include victories at the Canadian
International Music Competition, New York Victory International
Music Competition, UK International Music Competition, London
Classical Music Competition, The Euterpe Music Awards, European
Classical Music Artists Awards, Bach International Music
Competition and so on.
Zurui began his piano journey at the young age of 5. By the time he
was 10, he had already performed the Yellow River piano concerto
in his first piano concert. Since then, he has held over 100 piano
concerts and has been invited to perform in prestigious venues
across cities like Shanghai, New York, London, Berlin, Vienna, and
Moscow.
He used to study with esteemed musicians like Dr. Yunjie Chen, a
professor of the China Central Conservatory of Music, and pianist Alexander Fomenko, a professor of the Moscow State Tchaikovsky
Conservatory. Now he is studying at the Manhattan School of Music as a Graduate student with Dr. Wael Farouk.
Ziying Zhao - Guqin - Artist Category - Platinum Medalist - USA
Ziying Zhao, a guqin player in the US, member of The Global Outstanding Chinese Artists Association and the World Chinese Musicians Association. Praised for her “She must have been a guqin artist in her previous life.”(guqin educator from Tianjin conservatory of music), she has won top prizes in distinguished international competitions. She started to learn guqin when she was 15 years old in China. She went to the US for college when she was 16. In the US, she keeps learning guqin; since 2014, she has taught guqin in the United States. She has been invited to perform guqin at Seattle Center, University of Washington, Texas A&M University, Asian & Pacific Culture Center, and other organizations, and has given guqin presentations in many universities and schools.
Guqin is an ancient and mysterious musical instrument with more than 4000 years of history. Guqin is one of the best musical instruments to represent traditional Chinese culture. Many guqin pieces are from hundreds or thousands of years ago and the famous Chinese philosopher and educator Confucius use guqin to teach his students. Ziying Zhao hopes she can bring the ancient sound to modern society and let the world know the music from thousand years ago.
Yunu Kim - Double Bass - Young Artist Category - Platinum Medalist - South Korea
2022
Tokyo IYMC(International Youth Music Competition) Strings /Double Bass 1st Place
Korea Music Association Competition Grand Prize
the Seoul Arts High School Award for Excellence in Practical Skills.
The Kookmin Ilbo, Hanse University Music Competition Winner Concert (Yeongsan Art Hall)
1st place in the National Music Competition of Music Journal
1st place in the Korean Young Artist Music Competition
2021
The Seoul Arts High School Music Competition, 3rd overall in string music category
Passed the audition for Kumho Young Artist Concert Concert
Kookmin Ilbo 1st place at Hanse University Music Competition
Daegu Solarsian Youth Orchestra Auditions and Concerts (Daegu Concert House
2020 Kumho Youngjae Concert Solo Concert (Yonsei, Kumho Art Hall)
Korean Chamber Orchestra (KCO) No. 1 at the National Music Competition
Wookyung National Student Music Competition String Troupe No. 1st place
Seoul National Student Music Scholarship Competition No. 1
1st place at Yeeum National Music Competition
First overall in the string section of the National Music Competition
2019 Kumho Youngjae Concert audition passed. 2nd place in the National Music Competition of the Music Journal
Yitong Zhang - Violin - Young Artist Category - Platinum Medalist - China
At present, she is studying in the Conservatory of music of Central University for nationalities, under the guidance of professor Pang Zhenguo, and is also a professional student of Beijing Yangfan violin studio. She once served as the concert master of Taiyuan high school students Symphony Orchestra. In 2015, she went to Europe as an exchange student. In 2019, she participated in the US Global Music Festival and was honored to perform in the United Nations hall.In 2021，She won the Platinum Award of the 5th Canadian Quebec International Music Competition，Also won the honorary award of the 2021 American International Music Competition.
Matyáš Charvát - Organ - Young Artist Category - Platinum Medalist - Czech Republic
Matyáš was born in 2009 in the Czech Republic. At 9 he started playing the piano. He has
participated in many both national and international competitions with excellent results.
After 2 years of playing the piano, at 11 years, he started playing the organ, too. Although he has been playing the organ for only 2 years, he has made great progress. He performs at many piano and organ concerts.
For the school year 2021/2022 he received one-year scholarship to MenArt – a music study programme for talented students, who work with mentors – famous czech musicians.
In summer 2022 he attended Master Interpretation courses (organ and piano). He performed at the final concert in St. Wenceslas Cathedral in Olomouc.
In his free time he also composes his own music, he enjoys drawing comics and learning foreign languages – English, Spanish, Hungarian and French.
In the future he would very much like to study piano and organ at the conservatory in Prague and become professional pianist and organist.
Matyáš has already won many awards in piano - 1st Prize - Allegro Music Competition, Beethoven Piano Competition, International Viennese Spring Competition, Gustav Mahler Piano Competition (Prize for the Best Czech Competitor, Prize of Chief Conductor of the Gustav Mahler Philharmonic, Prize for the interpretation of a composition by A. Dvořák), Bach International Music Competition (Excellent Interpretation Prize), Gold Prize - Antonín Dvořák for the Young Musicians, Pianoforte per tutti (Special jury award for outstanding performance) and in organ - Gold Prize - Cambridge Music Competition (Great Interpretation Special Prize), 1st Prize - Bach International Music Competition (Excellent Interpretation Prize), International Music Competition Malopolska, Vivaldi International Music Competition, Top First Prize - Canadian International Music Competition.
Athanasios Kyparos - Violin - Young Artist Category - Platinum Medalist - Greece
Athanasios Kyparos was born in Thessaloniki, Greece in 2007. He started violin lessons at
the age of 6 and at present, he is attending Diploma Class in Thessaloniki State
Conservatory, under he supervision of Professor Yannis Kormpetis.
Athanasios has won over 30 prizes at International Music Competitions. He is a Grand
Prize winner at “International Youth Music Competition”, “Spring in London”, “World Art
Games”, the Grand Prix Winner of “4th Orpheus Soloists Greek National Competition”, a
Platinum Medal winner at “Canadian International Music Competition” and “Quebec International Music Competition and the Gold Medal Absolute winner of “Artists of the Year 2021 - I.Y.M.C”. He is also a First Prize winner of several International Music Competitions, such as “Grand Prize Virtuoso” (Paris & Bonn), “Golden Classical Music Awards”, “I.Y.M.C.”, “Tiziano Rossetti” etc, and recently the First Prize Winner of the “7th National Music Competition Club UNESCO Greece” and a First Prize Winner with Special Distinction of Exceptional Performance at “Maria’s Cherogiorgou-Sigara” 8th National Music Competition.
He has performed as a soloist in numerous important venues, such as Weill Recital Hall, at Carnegie Hall (New York), Wiener Saal Mozarteum (Salzburg), Beethoven House (Bonn), Megaron Athens Concert Hall, Thessaloniki Concert Hall, and also with “Camerata Junior Orchestra”, with “Thessaloniki State Conservatory Symphony Orchestra”, and in many concerts of “Awarded Young Soloists” of Gina Bachauer International Music
Association. He has also performed in concerts at Megaron Athens Concert Hall and Thessaloniki’s Concert Hall, as a member of Chamber Music Quartets.
Athanasios has been selected, after audition, and participated as an Active Member in “Leonidas Kavakos International Violin Masterclass & Chamber Music Workshop 2022”, held in Athens Academy Building, Greece. In addition, he has participated in many International Educational Programs of Music Composition, Chamber Music and Performance, such as “MakeMusiCovit 2021”, “Art Campus 2022” under scholarship etc.
He has also attended masterclasses with great professors and violinists, composed for MOYSA - Megaro Youth Symphony Orchestra and conducted his own music composition entitled “Shyness and Dare”, in Thessaloniki's Concert Hall.
Jessica MacBrayne - Harp - Young Artist Category - Platinum Medalist - New Zealand
Jessica MacBrayne was born and lives in Nelson, New Zealand. She is 18 years old and has just completed her final year of high school. She has wanted to play the harp ever since she was little but was not able to start learning until very recently. She began learning the pedal harp with teacher Helen Webby via Zoom lessons online in January of 2022.
In her first seven months of studying the pedal harp she was the winner of the Grade 8 division of the 2022 New Zealand Harp Performance Competition, was accepted to study a Bachelor of Music (Classical Performance) on the pedal harp at the New Zealand School of Music (NZSM) starting in 2023 and was also awarded an NZSM Director’s Award: “These awards are only offered to students whom we consider to have exceptional talent.” She has also taken NCEA Scholarship Music Performance on the harp.
Results gained in competitions for solo harp performance include:
- 2022 Trinity International Music Competition - Platinum Award (Collegiate Category)
- 2022-2023 Canadian International Music Competition – Platinum Award (Young Artists Category)
- 2022-2023 London Young Musician Competition - four Gold Awards (multiple categories)
- 2023 Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition – First Prize
As well as the harp, she has also learnt to play the flute, oboe, clarinet, violin, viola, and piano. She enjoys playing in all kinds of musical groups such as symphonic orchestras, string orchestra, concert bands, harp orchestra, string quartet, woodwind quintet and choirs. A particular highlight of her ensemble playing in 2022 was playing in the Musicworks Ensemble Festival Aotearoa where the concert bands she played in were awarded Platinum and Gold awards.
In musical examinations she has achieved Grade 8 Oboe with Distinction, Grade 8 Piano with Merit and Grade 8 Theory of Music with Merit.
She is looking forward to being part of the New Zealand School of Music in 2023 and all the new and exciting opportunities there will be.
Eric Yuze Ma - Piano - Young Artist Category - Platinum Medalist - USA
Eric Yuze Ma, currently studying with Dr. Peter Mack, has won a multitude of awards and honors from Regional, National, to International Competitions, including 1st Place Winner in the Senior Division of the 2022 WSMTA Outstanding Artist Piano Competition, Runner-up in the 2022 Pacific International Youth Music Festival, Gold Medalist with the most memorable performer award in the 2022 Pacific Northwest Piano Competition, Gold Medalist in the 2022 Seattle Bach Festival, Unanimous 1st Prize Winner in the 2022 CAP Ferret Music Festival (France), Silver Medalist in the 2022 Chopin Northwest Piano Competition, Gold Medalist in the 2021 Russian Chamber Music Competition, Gold Medalist with SIPF Excellence in Musical Arts Award in the 2020 Seattle Classical Viennese Festival, and 1st Place Honor in the 2019 Crescendo International Competition and was invited to perform in Carnegie Hall. He graduated from the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Associate Diploma with First Class Honors in 2020. In his free time, he enjoys volunteering in communities, practicing debate, swimming, drawing and hiking.
Jonathan Weng - Piano - Young Artist Category - Piano - Platinum Medalist - Canada
Jonathan Weng, born in 2008, has won numerous awards, grand prizes and scholarships in various Canadian music festivals and international piano competitions.
Among his awards are Crescendo International Piano Competition, American Protege Piano and Strings Competition, Vienna Grand Prize Virtuoso International Piano Competition, Concours International de Piano de la Ville de Gagny, France and so on. Therefore, he was invited and performed at awards ceremonies in Carnegie Hall (New York), London, Paris, Vienna, and others. In addition, he made his orchestral debut at the age of nine performing with the Orchestra of Musicfest Perugia, Italy, under the direction of Ilana Vered.
Jonathan also had the honour of performing with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at Orpheum Theatre, Vancouver and has collaborated with the VSO as a guest artist for two seasons during 2021- 2022. Furthermore, Jonathan obtained his Associate Diploma (ARCT) in piano performance at the Royal Conservatory of Music in 2019 when he was 11 years old.
Jonathan is also a composer, some of his composition pieces have been awarded in Canada and internationally. In 2023, he recorded a CD album entitled “Seasons of Life” with his music composition pieces. It will be released in March. All proceeds will be donated to UNICEF.
Alexis Zou and Hansen Berrett - Piano Duo - Young Artist Category - Platinum Medalists - USA
Both Alexis Zou and Hansen Berrett are 15 years old and currently study with Dr. Renato Fabbro in Portland, Oregon, USA. They began playing piano duet pieces together about a year ago and have won the 2022 Oregon MTNA Senior Piano Duet Competition and the 2022 Spokane Piano Competition Ensemble division. They also compete individually as solo pianists and have won or placed in numerous competitions such as Oregon MTNA competitions, OMTA scholarship competitions, OFMC Suzanne Raines Young Pianist Competitions, Spokane Piano Competitions, Pacific Northwest Piano Competitions, Bellegrande International Music Competitions, etc.
Caelum Ezekiel Zheng - Piano - Budding Stars Category - Platinum Medalist - New Zealand
Caelum Ezekiel Zheng was born and lives in New Zealand. He started taking piano lesson at the age of four through online lessons. He won a grand prize and top 5 performances in his first competition in the Rhapsody competition in 2021. He had also won several other competitions such as - Platinum award and Best Performance award in Indonesia International Young Musician Award 2021. - Gold prize winner in Music and Star Awards in 2021 - Gold prize winner in Charleston Music Competition in 2021 - Gold prize in London Young Musician in 2021 - Platinum award winner in Royal Music Indonesia in 2021 - Platinum award winner in LaPianista, Indonesia in 2021 - 2nd Winner in WPTA Spain in 2021 - 2nd Winner in Chopin Avenue in 2022 - 1st Winner in Indonesia International Young Music olympics in 2022 - 1st Winner in Victory Piano Competition, Indonesia in 2022 - 1st Winner in Amadeus Music Awards in 2022 - 2nd Winner in Singapore International Music Competition in 2022 - 1st Winner in World Classical Music Awards in 2022 - 1st Winner in World Grand Prix Music Contests in 2022 - 1st Winner in International Young Artist Open Competition, Hong Kong in 2022 - Platinum Prize in Canadian International Music Competition in 2022 His dream is to be a concert pianist and do performances around the world. Apart from the piano, he loves everything about cars.
Jacqueline Yan Wing Leung - Descant Recorder - Budding Star Category - Platinum Medalist - Hong Kong
Jacqueline Yan Wing Leung is 4 years old and she is a K.2 pupil at St. Stephen’s Girls’ College Kindergarten. She started playing the descant recorder at 3 under the tutelage of Ms Chan Ho Yan Phyllis. Her accolades include Championships in Hong Kong Music Talent and
Performance Award 2021 (Woodwind – Kindergarten), the 15th Hong Kong Students Open
Music Competition (Recorder – Grade 1), and 2022 International Young Artist Open
Competition (Recorder – Primary 1), as well as Platinum Medalist in the 2022-23 Canadian
International Music Competition (Budding Star – 6 years and under).
Jacqueline also enjoys playing clarinet and piano, and she has been awarded many prizes,
both locally and internationally. She is the youngest ambassador for Nuvo Instrumental.
Carlo Maria Clemente - Composition - Artist Category - Gold Medalist - Italy
Born in 1993, he graduated in composition, piano, organ, orchestra conducting, band instrumentation, choral music and choral conducting. He also obtained a bachelor's degree in theology, a two-year licentiate in anthropology and a Clill specialization diploma. He has received, for his compositions, more than 20 prizes in national and international competitions. He is band director in his country.
Emily Phan - Piano - Artist Category - Gold Medalist - USA
American pianist Emily Phan is a highly acclaimed pianist featured in multiple news articles such as USA’s Newsweek, Japan’s Newsweek for Women, and France’s most leading classical music station- Radio Classique. Emily has earned over 20 top prizes in regional, national, and international competitions. Emily has been invited to perform across Europe, Russia, and the United States. She has participated in festivals including International Institute for Young Musicians (IIYM) and Duxbury Music Festival (DMF). Emily earned a talent- based scholarship for her Bachelor’s degree at Pepperdine University in piano performance. She was also granted a huge scholarship to study music abroad in Heidelberg, Germany. In 2022, Emily was chosen as the Laureate of the France Music Competition. Over the years, Emily has performed in renowned concert halls such as Carnegie Hall in NYC, Mozarteum Concert Hall in Austria, Palais Prinz Carl hall in Germany, and the Richard Nixon Library in CA.
Hongzhe Pang - Piano - Artist Category - Gold Medalist - USA
Hongzhe Pang received her bachelor degree from Aaron Copland School of Music, studied under world-renowned musician Prof. Fang Luo and Prof. Ritt.
Ms. Pang has received numerous awards and honors in both China and the United States，as well as attended master classes and music festivals. As a pianist, Ms. Hongzhe is also experienced in chamber music, she is excited to transfer her experience in both solo and chamber music performance onto students.
In the year of 2014, she was accepted by Aaron Copland School of Music, and studied with Prof. Fang Luo and Prof. Ritt. She also studied piano pedagogy with Prof. Pirone and got high grade. She is an active performer during her college life. She has performed several chamber music concerts and piano solos in LeFrak Concert hall.
In the year of 2020, she was accepted by CUNY-Hunter College, and studied piano performance with Prof. Geoffrey Burleson for her master degree.
Ms. Pang is a music educator and effective piano instructor with more than five years' teaching experience. Her students ranging from 4 years old to adult. In the past years, Ms. Hongzhe has helped many students prepared NYSSMA and ABRSM with excellent score.
Yang Bo - Violin - Young Artist Category - Gold Medalist - China
Yang Bo, currently studying violin music performance at the School of Music of Minzu University of China, has studied with Professor Pang Zhenguo, professor of violin at the School of Music of Minzu University of China, and Professor Chen Lixin, professor of the PLA Academy of Arts, and has won the Platinum Award of the 5th Quebec International Music Competition, the honorary award of the 27th American International Music Grand Prix in 2020, and the first prize of the Vienna International Art Competition. Served as the principal violin of Beijing 101 Middle School Jinfan Symphony Orchestra, performed with Shao En, Li Xincao, Tan Lihua and other famous conductors for many times, participated in the "Symphony Concert to Celebrate the Chinese National Day and the 17th Chinese Cultural Festival" with the Beijing 101 Middle School Jinfan Symphony Orchestra, performed at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, participated in the 6th Primary and Middle School Students Arts Festival in Suzhou Poly Theater, and participated in the 23rd Beijing Student Arts Festival instrumental music exhibition at Jinfan Concert Hall.
Jia Xiyu - Violin - Young Artist Category - Gold Medalist - China
Jia Xiyu, born in 2005, began to learn violin in 2009. She was admitted to the Conservatory of Music of the Minzu University Of China in 2022 and studied under Professor Pang Zhenguo. She is now a freshman majoring in violin performance in the Conservatory of Music of Minzu University Of China. In 2017, 2018 and 2022, she won the first prize in the violin professional group in the first, second and fifth China Canada International Art Festivals, Hebei Hundred Flowers Bloom Brilliant Cup.
Ines Lim Rae Shaine - Piano - Young Artist Category - Gold Medalist - Singapore
Ines Lim Rae Shaine, from Singapore, studies the piano with Ms. Kee Kannie.
She scored Distinctions for both her ABRSM Grade 8 and ABRSM Diploma Arsm with a high score of 48/50. Her accomplishments in piano competitions, at national and International levels include earning the title 'Pianist of the Year' twice, in the Grand Prix of European Classical Music Awards 2022, as well as in the Final round of the London Young Musician of the year 2023. In 2022, after securing a first place, Ines was awarded as the 'Best Pianist to represent Singapore' by the European Classical Music Pianist Award.
Ines won the title 'The Winner of 2022 Special Contemporary Piano Performance Category' in North American Virtuoso International Music Competition, and was selected to perform for 'Special NAVI Piano Masterclasses' with Prof. Dr Angela Chan.
In 2019, she obtained Platinum award at the 1st Le Petit Performers' Fest Singapore.
In 2021, Ines was honoured to be selected to perform at the Esplanade, and received Masterclass from Prof EunYoung Lee, as a First Prize (Gold) winner of Joyeux International Piano Competition.
Ines received numerous other First Prizes, including at:
- Music Singapore International Piano & Violin Competition 2023
- Beethoven Young Musician Competition 2022
- Bach International Music Competition 2023
- UK International Music Competition
- Vivaldi International Music Competition 2022
- World Grand Prix international Music Contest.
She was also Gold winner of the Canadian International Music Competition 2022- 23, Cambridge International Music Competition and Quebec International Music Competition. As First Prizes winner, Ines was also bestowed with numerous Special Prizes, such as 'Best Instrumentalist', 'Outstanding Technique', 'Unique Interpretation', 'Characteristic Performance', and 'Excellent Musicianship' awards.
Besides music, Ines enjoys sports. She is also the school team's Captain for netball.
Anna Li - Violin - Junior Performer Category - Gold Medalist - China
Anna Li, 11 year old, currently a year-7student at the Chinese International School (CIS)
in Hong Kong. She has studied violin under Ms.San Yuen-Yum and Mr. Jeremy Williams
since four years old and has become a very talented young violinist. She is a member of
Hong Kong Camerata Strings and CIS Symphony. Training systematically and rigorously
on a daily basis, she has won many awards at international competitions with invitation to
perform at concerts overseas, including but not limited to, Platinum Prize in Trinity
International Music Competition in 2022; Gold Prize and Fantastic Technique Special
Prize in London Young Musician International Classic Music Competition in 2022; Second
Place in the 2nd PREMIA International Young Artists Music Festival with invitation to
perform in the Prizewinners Gala Concert in the Weill Recital hall at Carnegie Hall New
York in July 2023; First prize & Exceptional Young Talent Special Award in Grand Prize
Virtuoso International Music Competition, 2020, with invitation to perform at Wiener Saal
der Stiftung Mozarteum, Salzburg, Austria. Besides music, Anna is also a lover of sports.
She is a Black Belt and has won many awards in Taikwondo. She is an avid skier and
has been skiing since 4 years old.
Casper Chan Hwa Loong - Piano - Junior Performer Category - Gold Medalist - Singapore
Casper is the younger brother of his twin. Since he was 2 years old, he started reading independently and joined Mensa Singapore soon after. He showed great amount of passion in music at 4.5 years old; thus his learning journey begins.
Within just 1 year 3 months, he scored distinction in ABRSM Piano Grade 5 Performance Grade Exam. In 2022, he obtained his ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory Exam and ABRSM Grade 6 Performance Exam. He is currently preparing for his ABRSM Grade 8 Performance Grade Exam.
Come end March, at the age of 7, Casper will be performing at Winners’ Recital at the famed Carnegie Hall, New York as First Prize Winner.
He has participated in the following:
6 th Steinway Youth Piano Competition 2022
4th Nanyang International Music Competition 2022 -
Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) Gold Medal
Paris International Music Competition 2022
Grand Prize Virtuoso Paris
Young Musician First Prize Winner
Bach International Competition 2022
Prodigy category First Prize Winner
WPTA Spain International Piano Edition 2022
Special Prize Category Junior B Category –
Best Performance of Folk Composition
First international debut at award ceremony at
Amphitheater Cite de la Musique Philharmonic Paris
Dec 2022 as First Prize Winner.
Canadian International Music Competition 2022/23
Junior Performer Gold Medal.
Winners’ recital and award ceremony at
Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall New York Mar 2023
as First Prize Winner.
Casper Chan Hwa Loong - Piano - Junior Performer Category - Gold Medalist - Singapore
Casper is the younger brother of his twin. Since he was 2 years old, he started reading independently and joined Mensa Singapore soon after. He showed great amount of passion in music at 4.5 years old; thus his learning journey begins.
Within just 1 year 3 months, he scored distinction in ABRSM Piano Grade 5 Performance Grade Exam. In 2022, he obtained his ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory Exam and ABRSM Grade 6 Performance Exam. He is currently preparing for his ABRSM Grade 8 Performance Grade Exam.
Come end March, at the age of 7, Casper will be performing at Winners’ Recital at the famed Carnegie Hall, New York as First Prize Winner.
He has participated in the following:
6 th Steinway Youth Piano Competition 2022
4th Nanyang International Music Competition 2022 -
Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) Gold Medal
Paris International Music Competition 2022
Grand Prize Virtuoso Paris
Young Musician First Prize Winner
Bach International Competition 2022
Prodigy category First Prize Winner
WPTA Spain International Piano Edition 2022
Special Prize Category Junior B Category –
Best Performance of Folk Composition
First international debut at award ceremony at
Amphitheater Cite de la Musique Philharmonic Paris
Dec 2022 as First Prize Winner.
Canadian International Music Competition 2022/23
Junior Performer Gold Medal.
Winners’ recital and award ceremony at
Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall New York Mar 2023
as First Prize Winner.
Chin Lok Hee - Piano - Young Artist Category - Gold Medalist - Malaysia
Chin Lok Hee, was born in Malaysia in 2007. He began his piano lesson at age 5 and his Jazz
drum study at age 12. This early exposure to music has lead him to discover his talent and true
passion in music.
Award Experience:
Piano
The 5th Hong Kong International Music Festival 2018 Music Competition: Good
Award
The 6th Hong Kong International Music Festival 2019 Music Competition: Excellent
Award
Grand International Music Festival Piano Competition 2019 : Silver Award
Malaysia Arts Festival 2019 Arts & Talents Competition: Gold Award
The 10 th Hong Kong International Youth Performance Art Festival 2022– Malaysia
Preliminary Round: Silver Award.
2022-2023 Canadian International Music Competition : Gold Award in Young Artist
Categories
Drums (Percussion)
The 10 th Hong Kong International Youth Performance Art Festival 2022– Malaysia
Preliminary Round: Gold Award.
2022-2023 Canadian International Music Competition : Gold Award in Rising
Categories
Chin Lok Hee - Piano - Young Artist Category - Gold Medalist - Malaysia
Chin Lok Hee, was born in Malaysia in 2007. He began his piano lesson at age 5 and his Jazz
drum study at age 12. This early exposure to music has lead him to discover his talent and true
passion in music.
Award Experience:
Piano
The 5th Hong Kong International Music Festival 2018 Music Competition: Good
Award
The 6th Hong Kong International Music Festival 2019 Music Competition: Excellent
Award
Grand International Music Festival Piano Competition 2019 : Silver Award
Malaysia Arts Festival 2019 Arts & Talents Competition: Gold Award
The 10 th Hong Kong International Youth Performance Art Festival 2022– Malaysia
Preliminary Round: Silver Award.
2022-2023 Canadian International Music Competition : Gold Award in Young Artist
Categories
Drums (Percussion)
The 10 th Hong Kong International Youth Performance Art Festival 2022– Malaysia
Preliminary Round: Gold Award.
2022-2023 Canadian International Music Competition : Gold Award in Rising
Categories
Gloria Wang - Piano - Rising Star Category - Gold Medalist - Canada (Montreal)
Gloria was born in Montreal, Canada in 2009. She began her piano lessons at age 8 and currently studies with Ms. Chen Li-Benard. The first piano competition she participated in was the 2021 Quebec Music Competition and she won a silver medal in ages 10-12. She has shown great enthusiasm and talent in music since a young age, notably beyond playing piano, she also loves singing and she won the 3rd place prize in the children's category in Chanson de Montreal singing competition back in 2019.
Cheng U IP - Piano - Budding Star Category - Gold Medalist - Macau (China)
Cheng U is a 6-year-old first grader at the International School of Macau. She took her first piano lesson at the age of 5. Throughout her one year of playing, she won several awards in competitions, which include,
Second Place in the 9th Hong Kong International Youth Performance Arts Festival,
First Place in Harmony International Music Competition,
Second Place in International Young Artist Open Competition,
Second Runner-up in Asia Students Arts Festival,
Second Prizes in St. Petersburg International Music Competition,
Sliver Awards in Purcell International Competition for Young Pianists,
Sliver Award in the IV International Liszt Ferenc Competition,
First Runner-up in the 9th Asia Kids & Teenagers Music Contest,
First Honour Excellence Award in the 5th Hong Kong Pacific Piano Open Competition,
Cheng U is a member of the Macau Youth Choir of the Macau Conservatory. She also plays violin, takes swimming lessons, but piano is her favourite activity.
Cheung Mag Sin Cheung - Voice - Rising Star Category - Gold Medalist - Hong Kong (China)
Cheung Mag Sin Cheung started her vocal training under the tutelage of Ms. Hilary Law, the vocal director at Vocal Prodigies HK. She is a prizewinner of many competitions, including
Canadian International Music Competition - First Prize
London Young Musician - Gold Prize
NAC INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL - 1st Prize
Les Images International Classical Voice Competition - 1st runner up
Hong Kong Music Talent & Performance Award - Champion
HKGASCA Singing Competition - 1st Prize
Hong Kong Schools Music Award Competition - 1st Prize
Inter-School International Performance Challenge - 1st Prize
Muse International Global Music Talent Contest - 1st Prize
HKVMA competition - Champion
Fringe Inter-School Music Competition - 2nd prize
Tokyo International Youth Music Competition - 2nd prize
Hong Kong International Youth Performing Arts Festival - 2nd Prize
The 17th Hong Kong Outstanding Children Music Competition - 2nd Place
Hong Kong Music Talent Award - 3rd prize
HKIMAA Hong Kong International Music & Arts Festival - 3rd Prize
Recipient of the Sir Robert Black Trust Fund - Music
Pantila Phattanaphaiboonkul - Piano - Rising Star Category - Gold Medalist - Thailand
Pantila Phattanaphaiboonkul was born in 2011 and lives in Thailand. She is a Grade 6 at Rajini
School in Bangkok. She started to play the piano at the age of 9 with T-Academy and currently studies
with Dr.Tharach Wuthiwan. She started to International Music Competition in July 2022 and now.
2022
-The 4 th International Competition of Arts & Culture “Golden Palm-2022” UAE-Dubai (Online Section): Grand Prix
-Inzai International Music Competition 2022 (The 4 th Competition): Bronze Prize / Young Artist
Category.
-UK International Music Competition 2022 (Season 2): Second Prize / Youth (Age11-13)
-World Classical Music Awards 2022 (Season 4): Silver Prize / A3-Age 10-11
-European Classical Music Awards - December 2022: European Winner Music Competition (All Instruments & Singers): Silver Prize / Talent Category
-World Grand Prix International Music Contest 2022 Season 4: Second Prize / Youth -Age 11-13
-VMEB International Music Competiton 2022 – Autumn 12 th Anniversary: Bronze Prize
-Young Artist Music Contest 2022-College of Music, Mahidol University, Thailand: Silver Prize
-Bangkok Christian College Music Competition 2022: Gold Prize
-Global Arts,Sports & Culture-2022 Japan Tokyo International Music Competition: Champion / Finalist
-The 10th Hong Kong International Youth Performing Arts Festival 2022: Gold Prize / Finalist
-ASIA Students Arts Festival-Thailand 2022: Honorable Award / Finalist
-Singapore International Piano Competition 2022: Gold Prize / Finalist
-OSAKA International Music Competition 2022: Gold Prize / Finalist
2021-Trinity Awards Thailand 2021-Highest marks-Piano -Grade 1 (100 marks )
Pantila Phattanaphaiboonkul - Piano - Rising Star Category - Gold Medalist - Thailand
Pantila Phattanaphaiboonkul was born in 2011 and lives in Thailand. She is a Grade 6 at Rajini
School in Bangkok. She started to play the piano at the age of 9 with T-Academy and currently studies
with Dr.Tharach Wuthiwan. She started to International Music Competition in July 2022 and now.
2022
-The 4 th International Competition of Arts & Culture “Golden Palm-2022” UAE-Dubai (Online Section): Grand Prix
-Inzai International Music Competition 2022 (The 4 th Competition): Bronze Prize / Young Artist
Category.
-UK International Music Competition 2022 (Season 2): Second Prize / Youth (Age11-13)
-World Classical Music Awards 2022 (Season 4): Silver Prize / A3-Age 10-11
-European Classical Music Awards - December 2022: European Winner Music Competition (All Instruments & Singers): Silver Prize / Talent Category
-World Grand Prix International Music Contest 2022 Season 4: Second Prize / Youth -Age 11-13
-VMEB International Music Competiton 2022 – Autumn 12 th Anniversary: Bronze Prize
-Young Artist Music Contest 2022-College of Music, Mahidol University, Thailand: Silver Prize
-Bangkok Christian College Music Competition 2022: Gold Prize
-Global Arts,Sports & Culture-2022 Japan Tokyo International Music Competition: Champion / Finalist
-The 10th Hong Kong International Youth Performing Arts Festival 2022: Gold Prize / Finalist
-ASIA Students Arts Festival-Thailand 2022: Honorable Award / Finalist
-Singapore International Piano Competition 2022: Gold Prize / Finalist
-OSAKA International Music Competition 2022: Gold Prize / Finalist
2021-Trinity Awards Thailand 2021-Highest marks-Piano -Grade 1 (100 marks )
Ameya Kiwalkar - Piano - Young Artist Category - Gold Medalist - USA
Ameya Kiwalkar is a Sophomore at Leland High School in San Jose, California and began playing piano at the age of seven as a student of Ekaterina Gueorguieva. He has participated in music competitions like the US Open Music Competition (USOMC), Great Composers Competition-Best Chopin performance, Elite international music competition, American Protégé, and won several medals over the years. He has completed 8 levels of the Certificate of Merit, all with honors. In addition, Ameya loves teaching the piano to younger students to develop their love for music from an early age. He also loves playing the piano for his family, friends, and grandparents over Zoom.
Kyla Ruidera - Piano - Young Artist Category - Gold Medalist - USA
Kyla Ruidera is a 13-year-old junior high school student from California. She began learning piano at age 4 and currently studies under the tutelage of Anne Isaakyan Bäder, a graduate of the Leningrad Conservatory in Russia. Kyla has performed at Carnegie Hall (New York) as a multiple-award recipient of the AADGT International Young Musicians Festival (Gold in 2020, Silver in 2021 and 2022). She received Gold Medals at the Quebec International Music Competition (2021 and 2022) and two Silver Medals at the North American Virtuoso International Music Competition (2021). Kyla has won trophies for various categories at the Southwestern Youth Music Festival (Los Angeles) from 2018 through 2022. She earned Silver Awards at WPTA Singapore and Bronze Awards at WPTA Finland from 2020 through 2022. Kyla recently received Third Prize at the 2022 ENKOR International Music Competition. She enjoys reading and spending time with her family.
Mandy Teng - Rising Star Category -Voice - Gold Medalist - USA
Mandy Teng received the Gold medal in the CIMC 2022-23 Rising Star category. Mandy is 11 years old from Maryland, USA. She loves singing and has been learning singing for one and a half years.
Abigail Chen - Rising Star Category - Piano (Pop) - Gold Medalist - USA
Abigail Chen is 8 years old and started learning piano at age of 7. She has earned a silver medal in the 2022 Trinity International Music Competition, a gold medal in the 2022 Canadian International Music Competition and a second prize winner in the King's Peak Music Competition. Besides playing piano ，she plays violin in the school orchestra and joined Girls On The Run and got the 5K medal. She also loves art and her artwork has been chosen for publication in the Celebrating Art Fall 2022 Contest and received an honorable mention award in the 2023 Lunar Year of Rabbit Art Show by Asian American Association of Greater Stony Brook.
Yun Zhang - Artist Category - Composition (Ethnic piano & violin ) - Silver Medalist - China
Yun Zhan's musical training started at age 5 when she entered China’s Sichuan Conservatory of Music as one of ten prodigies from among thousands of applicants. Sichuan Conservatory has trained world famous pianists such as Yundi Li. She continued her music studies in the United States.
In the course of her musical training, she has been a top prize winner at several regional and national piano competitions in the United States. These include the Music Teachers National Association Competition, the UCA Concerto Competition and NA Symphony Young Artist Concerto Competition. Her competition wins in China include the JiaoSheng competition and the Fourteen Cities Piano Competition. The newspaper Echo called her playing “most legendary”.
Faris Ridzuan - Artist Category - Voice (Alternative Indie) - Silver Medalist - Singapore
Although Faris Ridzuan had never received any formal education in music, he decided to venture into the music scene in 2022 as a polyglot artist and composer. He plays the guitar and sings in Malay, Arabic, Mandarin, French and other languages. He has been invited to perform at weddings, venues like Timbre, and national events such as International Migrants Day. He graduated with a First Class Honours from the National University of Singapore, with a major in Sociology and minor in European Studies. After graduation, he served as a youth and education policy officer and social science researcher in the Singapore Public Service. He also worked at TikTok as a Trust and Safety Policy Manager. He is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Malay Studies at the National University of Singapore. You can listen to his music on Tiktok and on Youtube.
Natpakorn Manasatienkij - Composition - Rising Star Category - Silver Medalist - Thailand
Natpakorn Manasatienkij (born 2010) is a young pianist and an aspiring self-taught composer based in Bangkok, Thailand. Starting in 2020, with no teacher, he is eager to prove himself that, with great effort, one can achieve anything. Under the great influence of Mozart, his compositions are mostly light and elegant. He is also very comfortable with writing choral works, doing an excellent job setting text to music. With his undying passion and fierce determination, he looks forward to winning competitions and working with various people from all over the world. He has received multiple awards for piano and compositions: A Gold Prize and Characteristics Performance special prize from London Young Musician (LYM) 2021-22 Season 4 on the piano, a second prize from International Young Music Competitions (IYMC) 2022 in composition from Atlanta, USA, and a second prize from the UK International Music Competition - Season 2 from composing. Most recently, he is a Silver Medalist from the Canadian International Music Competition for composition. Besides composing music and playing piano, he loves playing chess too in his spare time.
Ting Zhi Ying - Piano - Rising Star Category - Silver Medalist - Malaysia
Ting Zhi Ying is an ordinary girl who studies in Matrix Global Schools in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Although she started learning piano when she was young, however for the past few years, she did not see any potential in piano. She had barely passed most of the piano exams. Last year, she found a piano teacher who helped her to improve in many ways. This was the first time she joined a piano competition after being encouraged by her piano teacher. Within a month, her piano teacher provided she with many tips and techniques on piano skills and gave her extra lessons to practice more. "It was amazing and unbelievable that I won this award. I hope that I can participate in more competitions in the near future to achieve greater achievements." said Ying.
Phudol Thananuwat - Violin - Rising Star Category - Silver Medalist - Thailand
Phudol, aged 8, started his music journey at the age of 4. He has shown his interest in classical music and violin ever since. Currently practicing as a soloist, he also participated in chamber music camp hopefully to be a part of a group soon. Since late 2022, he has been focusing more in performing and starting to participate in several music competitions including his school music competition event, Bangkok Christian College Music Competition 2022, where he was awarded Gold medalist, and Asia Student Arts Festival 2022 - Thailand Preliminary where he was awarded 1st prize runner up in Grade 2 category. Phodol currently lives in Bangkok Thailand and studies in Grade 3 at Bangkok Christian College.
He loves coding and also practices Archery for leisure!
Chin Yat Fung - Drums (Percussion) - Rising Star Category - Silver Medalist - Malaysia
Chin Yat Fung, was born in Malaysia in 2012. He stated music lesson since age 3. He stated his first piano lesson at age 5 and drum lesson at age 6. Whenever he start playing either instruments, a
unique type of excitement from him. With prodigious talent, he started to perform in public very
soon.
He has won:
Piano
The 10 th Hong Kong International Youth Performance Art Festival 2022– Malaysia
Preliminary Round: Silver Award.
Drums (Percussion)
The 10 th Hong Kong International Youth Performance Art Festival 2022– Malaysia
Preliminary Round: Gold Award.
2022-2023 Canadian International Music Competition : Silver Award in Rising
Categories
Elyse Tan Yu Shuen - Piano - Rising Star Category - Silver Medalist – Malaysia
Elyse Tan Yu Shuen, born in Penang, Malaysia is currently 8 years old student at SJK(C) Hun Bin.
Showing her interest and talent in music since toddler age, Elyse started her journey joining Kinder
Beat at 3 years old and began piano lesson at 4 years old under Jammin Senzation Music School.
At the same age, Elyse had her first public stage performance at charity concert with solo piano recital, group piano and has been enjoying performing on the stage ever since. Coaching by Principal Jasmin Khor, Elyse had won numerous awards in both local and international competitions including Gold Medal in the Grand International Music Festival Piano Competition and Silver award in the Euroasia Piano Competition.
Beside piano, Elyse is also a passionate ballet dancer, and a capable singer that regularly performing on stage.
Almz Jim Yu Shue - Percussion (Djembe) - Rising Star Category - Silver Medalist - Hong Kong
I am Almz Jim Yu Shue. I was born in Hong Kong in 2015. I love Dejembe when I have the first touch at my 4 years old. At that time, Mr. Daniel Odame Kissi presented and played his Djembe in my school. I could feel the passion, the temperature and the most primitive sound of music from Mr. Daniel that I started my learning with my first Djembe teacher, Mr. Daniel Odame Kissi.
I have been practicing the Djembe with Mr. Kienou Mamadou for a year after Mr. Daniel emigrated
and lived in UK. I practice my Djembe about 2 hours per week and also slapping my thighs by time to time in my daily life as parts of my practicing.
I awarded my first prize from a local Hong Kong music competition named Children & Youth Arts & Culture Association in Hong Kong in Nov 2022 and I recently did win more awards in local Hong Kong and international music competitions. I am now polishing my skills and courage through competitions and busking.
I am a general student reading my primary classes at the G.T. (Ellen Yeung) College (Junior Primary Section) as other kids. I not only love playing Djembe, but also getting joys from “GO” Chess and Fencing, just training myself and getting balances between different extra-curriculum activities, e.g., Critical Thinking & Interactive Communications, Courage & Facing Challenges, Self-learning & Problem Solving.
Hong Kong is often known as a global metropolis, an urban jungle with a bustling city life. But despite that, it is also home to a diverse ecosystem and some of the most breathtaking views. Many HONGKONGERS and we are HONGKONGERS flock to the countryside in their free time to hike and surround themselves with nature that I often hike with my parents, even I am probably the youngest climbing the Hong Kong highest peak and I will challenge the “Mount Everest” in coming future soon.
I wish people will gain more opportunities to know, listen and even learn about Djembe that expresses the deepest thoughts of our the most original civilization and colours of this universe through my Djembe presentations.
Lai Tsz Chun - French Horn - Rising Star Category - Bronze Medalist - Hong Kong
Lai Tsz Chun now age 11 studying at International Christian Quality Music Secondary and Primary School in Hong Kong. He was started exposure in French horn since age of six.
Tsz-Chun has participated in many open tournaments, overseas competitions, inter-school music competitions and has been ranked at the top three awards in contests. He has passed an ABRSM grade 5 horn exam. His goal is to complete grade 5 music theory exam and will start exposures in his school Orchestra this year.
In addition, Tsz-Chun had learning jazz drum and has obtained Trinity College London grade 3 drums Certificate (Rock & Pop). Recently, he has participated in Wind Ensemble to empower his ability in musical & skills.
Lai Tsz Chun - French Horn - Rising Star Category - Bronze Medalist - Hong Kong
Lai Tsz Chun now age 11 studying at International Christian Quality Music Secondary and Primary School in Hong Kong. He was started exposure in French horn since age of six.
Tsz-Chun has participated in many open tournaments, overseas competitions, inter-school music competitions and has been ranked at the top three awards in contests. He has passed an ABRSM grade 5 horn exam. His goal is to complete grade 5 music theory exam and will start exposures in his school Orchestra this year.
In addition, Tsz-Chun had learning jazz drum and has obtained Trinity College London grade 3 drums Certificate (Rock & Pop). Recently, he has participated in Wind Ensemble to empower his ability in musical & skills.
Nirvrithi Sreekanth - Piano - Rising Star Category - Bronze Medalist - India
Nirvrithi Sreekanth, 12 years old, is a Grade 7 student of KC High International School, Chennai, India. She started learning Indian Classical music at the age of 4 and then started taking piano lessons at the age of 6. Nirvrithi was found to be naturally inclined to music. She is currently under the guidance of Mr. Giuliano Adorno (Italy). She has won many awards in international competitions including a First Prize at the International Piano Competition Mozart, Great Masters Piano Competition, Monegros 88 Keys International Piano Competition (Spain), Four Notes Piano Competition (UAE) - amongst several others. She won the 1st place in the Golden Classical Music Awards and was invited to and performed at the Weill Recital Hall in July '22. She also won the Third Prize at the "Bonn and Salzburg" Grand Prize Virtuoso and was invited to perform at the Beethoven House (Bonn) and Solitar, Mozarteum (Salzburg) in August 21. She has also participated and won awards at several other competitions such as Singapore International Piano Competition, Euroasia Malaysia Piano Competition, Orbetello Piano Competition, Swiss International Music Competition. Nirvrithi is also trained in Karate and is a Dan 1 Black Belt in Isshinryu karate."
Spanida Paosateampang (Kate) - Piano - Rising Star Category - Bronze Medalist - Thailand
Pianist Supanida Paosatheanpan or Kate has enjoyed and hoped to be a dynamic international career as a concert soloist and musician. Recent performance venues with the band include her Homecoming Day 2022 at Saisumphan School in Nakhon Ratchasima Province in the kingdom of Thailand, as a soloist and ensemble musician. She will be performing at various competitions and concerts in Asia and America this year as well.
Kate recently won a bronze medal at the Canadian International Music Competition 2022, and she also won a bronze medal at the London Young Musician International Competition 2022-2023 Season 1 and Season 2.
Kate or Supanida started taking piano lessons at the age of 4 and has won numerous awards and performed throughout her native Thailand. :)
All winners are invited to submit their biographies and concert portraits.
Requirements:
2022-2023 Prize Winners (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze medalists), please submit your bio of under 150 words, in prose form (text form only, not pdf) and a high resolution concert portrait.
Email it to: [email protected]
We would be glad to post it here!
Requirements:
2022-2023 Prize Winners (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze medalists), please submit your bio of under 150 words, in prose form (text form only, not pdf) and a high resolution concert portrait.
Email it to: [email protected]
We would be glad to post it here!