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* Please note that all adjudication results are final with no appeal.

** IMPORTANT:  APPLY FOR MEDALS & ELECTRONIC CERTIFICATES  
APPLICATION DEADLINE 28th February 2024
​(after this date, we will not be able to accept any applications for certificates and medals)

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR YOUR 2023-24 CIMC CERTIFICATE(S) AND MEDAL(S)

2023-24 CIMC WINNERS' CERTIFICATES (AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD NOW)

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Winners' and Teachers' Certificates will be available approximately 2 weeks from submission of application forms (available on this page)
​Medals will be ordered after the 28th February 2024. As soon as we receive the medals, we will inform our winners when we can ship them out.

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2023-24 CIMC (4th Edition) Prize Winners Online Concert 

Absolute Platinum Medalists (With scores of 99% to 98%)

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Stanley Hyun - 12 years old - Young Artist Category - 99% - Absolute Platinum - USA - Piano - Classical Solo (Performance)

Celine Seo Young, Kang - 20 & above - Professional Category - 99%  - Absolute Platinum - Australia - Piano- Classical Solo (Performance)

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Hannah Wyithe Tsai - 11 years old - Junior Performer - 98% - Absolute Platinum - Australia - Viola- Classical Solo (Performance)

Oliver Gruhn - 20 & above - Professional - 98%  - Absolute Platinum - Germany - Composition - Classical Composition

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Platinum Medalists with scores from 97% to 96%

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Rachel Wang - 10 Years old - Junior Performer - 97% - Platinum - Canada - Piano - Classical Solo (Performance)

Niko Kong - 15 Year old - Young Artist - 97% - Platinum - United States - Piano - Classical Solo (Performance)

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William Matthew Lim - 15 Years old - Young Artist - 97% - Platinum - Philippines - Piano - Classical Solo (Performance)

Gezi Charles Yu - 20 & above - Professional Category - 97% - Platinum - Canada - Flute - Classical Solo (Performance)

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Jammie Lee - 20 & above - Professional Category - 97% - Platinum - Canada - Piano - Classical Solo (Performance)

Patt Pita Tutanathorn - 7 years old - Junior Performer - 96% - Platinum - Thailand - Piano - Classical Solo (Performance)

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Kevin Li - 8 years old - Junior Performer - 96% - Platinum - United States - Piano - Classical Solo (Performance)

Esme Soae Tran - 9 years old - Junior Performer - 96% - Platinum - USA - Piano- Classical Solo (Performance)

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Owen Smith - 15 years old - Young Artist - 96% - Platinum - USA - Piano- Classical Solo (Performance)

​Ethan Lau - 16 years old - Young Artist - 96% - Platinum - United States - Piano - Classical Solo (Performance)

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Anjulie Djearam - 18 years old - Young Artist - 96% - Platinum - Canada - Voice (Soprano) -  Classical Solo (Performance)

Karolina Konstancja Laskowska - 18 years old - Young Artist - 96% - Platinum - Poland - Flute- Classical Solo (Performance)

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Charity Mapletoft - 20 & above - Professional - 96% - Platinum - United Kingdom - Voice (Soprano) - Classical Solo (Performance)

 Lingyan Li - 20 & above - Professional - 96% - Platinum - China - Voice - Classical Solo (Performance)

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Steven Casano - 20 & above - Professional - 96% - Platinum - USA - Shakuhach- Ethnic Music Solo (Performance)

​William Kim - 20 & above - Professional - 96% - Platinum - Canada - Percussion- Classical Solo (Performance)

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We would like to express our appreciation and thanks to the wonderful professors and teachers, for their commitment and dedication to grooming the next generation of young musicians.

Agnieszka Bugajska, Aireleen, Alex Stoke, Alison Collins, Ana Maria Eckstein, Andrea Arévalo Cuéllar, Anna Poklewski, Anna Vasiliyeva, 
Anna Zaidman, Apichai Leamthong, Artem Konstantinov, Arturo Nieto-Dorantes, Avner Arad, Bjørg Lewis, Bob Elena Mihaela, Byron Lo
Carlo Maria Clemente, Carol Ferri, Carol Hou, Carol Sindell, Cathrine Lu, Cecilia Chan, Chih-Ping To, Chin-Fei Chan, Christie Reside, 
Christina Long, Christopher Janwong McKiggan, Christopher Lee, Daniel WK Ma, Dr. Angela Chan, Dr. Kayoung An, Dr. Elizabeth MacCorquodale, Dr. Jiyoung Um, Prof. Elizabeth Faidley, Elizabeth Volpe Bligh and Lani Krantz, FAN SOW MUN, 
Golda Vainberg-Tatz, Guo Cheng James Xia, Han Bee Shin, HEI CHING SIU, Homer Lee, Hoyeon Won, HU TINGJIANG, Huong Luu,
HYUN JOO LEE, Hyunji Song, Ian Parker, Ishikawa Toshimitsu, IVANA FIDELIA TJANDRA, Jacob Brodski, Jenny Chai, JianFeng Zhou
Jiang，Jill Ball, Jingyi Huang, Jiyoung Um, John Michael Flavetta, Jovelyn Q. Yu, Juan Luis Munoz, Julia Seo, Kelvin Ngai, Kevin Mulligan, 
Kira Fondse, Klaudia Szlachta, Kun Zhou, Laurent Perrin, Lawrence Jones, Lawrie Hill, Lena Grozman, Liu Sha, Lusine Arakelyan, Maja Blagojevic, Manel Camp, Marc Goldberg, Marie-Andrée Benny, Martin Kesuma, Mary Ko, Melinda Soós-Kirnyák, Michael Meraw, Michael Reynolds, MICHALE AFFANDIE, Michelle Hsieh, Michelle Lee, Michie Hisada, MING QI, MinJoung Kim, Miss Irina Novikova, Miss Thanawan Thawatviboon, Miss Thawanhathai Rujichaitammakul, Mohamed Al-Ghoury, Mohammad Jimmy Martira, Mr. Konstantinos Papadakis, Mrs. Eleonora Petrova, Ms Sandy Tsui, Ms. Eva NG, Ms. Hyun-jin Kim, Ms. Poly Ng, Ms.ChingHuey Lim, Ms.Jongah Yoon, 
Ms.Kohar Andonyan Ph.D., Myriam Cottin-Rack, Nat Yontararak, Nataliya Labiau, Nataliya Mangusheva, Nathania Ching, Nathania Ko, 
NEANNE STAMONICA, Nely Gutierrez Perez, Nutavut Ratanakarn, Olga Ryzhova, Oneara Chaisomkun, Patricia MacMahon, Peggy P. Yip, 
Miss Chau Miu Hung, Pimnatthika Angkanajerathiti, Prof. Ana Maria Eckstein, Prof. Dr. Wolfram Heicking, Prof. Natalia Harlap, Prof. Teresa Tang, Prof. Y. Yordanova, Ranee Tsang, Rob Herrett, Rumiana Georgieva, Sam Subasic, Sandra Hebert, Sandra Shen, Shenae Akagi, Smt. Chaitra Sontakke, SOW MUN FAN, Stefano Algieri, Stuart Johnson, Sue Sim, Sueanne Metz, SungHee Park, Sungyme Lee, Tali Roth, 
Tsvetelina Breshkova, Tunde Gaal, Waldemar Górski, Wei Gao, Yali Luo, Yinwen Lewis, Yoojung Kim, Yuan Tian, Yuxin Wu and Zara Lawler.

Winners' Biographies (Coming soon...)

We welcome all final round winners (all medalists - from Absolute Platinum to Bronze medalists) to submit their photo and biography (under 200 words in text form). Please kindly do not provide us with a list of all your achievements as a CV. 
We would be delighted to post it on our website to celebrate your achievement and success! 
Please email your high resolution photo and bio to this email address: [email protected]
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Oliver Gruhn - Professional Category - Absolute Platinum Medalist - Composition - Germany

Oliver Gruhn is a German composer and orchestral trombonist in Rostock, Germany. He was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1968, were he first took trumpet lessons at the age of eight and was two years later accepted to the special music high school Musikgymnasium Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (former Hanns Eisler Special School for Music). At the age of sixteen Gruhn studied trombone, which he continued at one of Europe’s leading universities for music, the Hanns Eisler School of Music Berlin, with Gerhard Haas. There he also studied composition with Prof. Dr. Wolfram Heicking. As both, principal trombonist and deputy principal trombonist, Gruhn has more than 35 years of experience as orchestral trombonist, playing at the Norddeutsche Philharmonie Rostock now.

Gruhn's compositional works encompass a variety of large-scale symphonic pieces, as well as chamber music pieces, jazz compositions, a solo concerto, film music, opera and five major orchestral song cycles. Through the “Lied” he has a close collaboration with the soprano Diana Schnürpel since 2020. Many songs were performed and recorded in the last years. Gruhn won numerous first prizes at several international music competitions.

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​Celine Kang - Professional Category - Absolute Platinum Medalist - Piano - Australia

As a multi-talented musician, educator, and director, Celine Kang is delighted to share her
journey as a recent laureate of the Canadian International Music Competition. Currently
pursuing a double honours degree in Bachelor of Music and Secondary Education at UNSW,
she has demonstrated a profound passion for music and teaching throughout her academic
endeavors. Celine Kang is recognized as an advanced entry recipient and a Dean's List
scholar for academic excellence, and she is grateful for the opportunities provided by the
UNSW Music Scholarship, which have further enriched her musical journey.
Celine has secured victories in many international competitions across New York, Vienna,
Brussels, and Australia and these experiences shaped her artistry and broadened her
passion in music.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Celine Kang is currently a passionate piano teacher at
MLC School, The King's School, and Meriden School, as well as at GNT Academy, nurturing diverse talents and inspiring students from various backgrounds.  Humbled by recognition from the Canadian International Music Competition, Celine looks forward to continuing her journey of musical excellence, inspiring others along the way.

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​Stanley Hyun  -  Young Artist Category -  Absolute Platinum - Piano - USA
 
Stanley’s piano journey started at age six. He attends Manhattan School of Music Precollege. Stanley has performed at Weill Recital Hall, Zankel Hall and Merkin Concert Hall. He has earned first prize at Elite Music Competition, Crescendo International Music Competition and Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition. Drawn to the dynamism of piano, Stanley appreciates how chords resonate with people. Stanley enjoys coding, chess, digital art, trying out new tech gadgets and hanging out with his friends.

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​Ethan Lau - Young Artist Category - Platinum Medalist - Piano - USA

Ethan Lau is a junior at Centennial High School in Frisco Texas and has been playing the piano for 13 years. He has played in various festivals including the Techsoma Competition, advanced to state in the TMTA Dallas Solo performance contest, and played in Italy at the Interharmony festival. He also participated in theory tests in the Plano Music Teachers Association and got a 5 on the AP Music Theory Exam. Outside of piano Ethan swims competitively and plays violin, making state the last 3 years. For fun Ethan plays basketball and likes to read. This is his 3rd year as a student of Dr. Christina Long. 

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Rachel Wang - Junior Performance Category - Platinum Medalist - Piano - Canada
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I am Rachel Wang, 10 years old, currently studying piano under the guidance of the renowned pianist and conductor, Ian Parker. I have achieved good results in many local and international piano competitions, music has always been a crucial part of my life. My passion for music is not only reflected in my performances but also drives me to participate in charity concerts, contributing in my small way to social welfare. I look forward to using the power of music to convey warmth and hope.

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​Jammie Lee  - Professional category - Platinum Medalist - Piano - Canada 

Jammie Lee, from Winnipeg, Manitoba, is a recent Bachelor of Science graduate from McGill University aiming to pursue a career in medicine. He has previously studied with Dr. Lawrence Jones, Dr. Kyung Kim, and Dr. Seo Jung Won. He is the winner of top prizes at national and international level piano competitions, including the International ENKOR Music Competition, FCMF National Music Festival, and the Canadian Music Competition. He made his professional debut with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra at the age of 15, playing movements from Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. He has had masterclasses with Antonio Pompa-Baldi, Lydia Artymiw, Jon Kimura Parker, and Janina Fialkowska.

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Zixuan Cheng - Professional Category - Platinum Medalist - Piano - USA

Zixuan (Christy) Cheng is a pianist, a music educator and a Senior student at NYU who has been engaging in piano studies and performance for 15 years. Christy got her Piano ARCT Associate Diploma (Performance Certificate) at The Royal Conservatory of Music during high school. During Christy’s Freshman year, she was the music director for the Waving production of the Broadway Musical "Dear Evan Hansen", which debuted in Shanghai. Christy also has been presented as a soloist and a chamber musician at venues in NYU Shanghai Concert Hall, NYU Tandon, Il Maggiore Concert Hall (Italy), DiMenna Center (New York), and Opera America (New York). 

Christy has been teaching piano in the US and Shanghai for more than 3 years. During Christy’s Senior year, she won First Prize on both the Charleston 2023 European Music Competition and the 2023-2024 Canadian International Music Competition.

Currently, she is pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education at NYU Steinhardt under the instruction of Artist Faculty member Dr. Yoojung Kim. At NYU, Christy conducted Instrumental Lab & Choral Lab Ensembles, and she is currently teaching at The M479 Manhattan High School. 

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Nicole Samareva - Harp - Young Artist Category - Platinum Medalist - Bulgaria

Nicole Samareva, born in 2009, is a student at the National Music School "Lubomir Pipkov"
in Sofia, Bulgaria, harp professor Ms. Kohar Andonyan PhD. Nicole's passion for harp music
began at the age of 5 when she chose the harp as her instrument. Since then, she has
actively participated in numerous concert events and benefited from the masterclasses of
renowned harpists from various countries in Europe, Canada, and the USA. Nicole has also
attended prestigious harp events such as the World Harp Congress 2022 Cardiff, Wales,
UK; the Glowing Harp Zagreb Festival 2023; the Arpissima Harp Exhibitions in Sofia, and the
International Summer Harp Academy (ISHA) held multiple times in Bulgaria.
Nicole's talent and dedication have been recognized through more than 25 awards in
prestigious harp competitions held in Italy, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Serbia, and online in Canada,
Romania, Finland, Switzerland, France, Ukraine and Sweden.

At the age of 14, Nicole is grateful for the opportunities she has already had to make professional recordings for her album titled "Nicole's Heavenly Harp" participate in the school symphony orchestra and perform chamber music with a famous classical string quartet in Sofia. Nicole enjoys playing the harp and is dedicated to further development.

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Patrick X. Xu  - Young Artist Category - Platinum Medalist - Piano /  Rising Star Category - Music Composition - Silver Medalist - USA
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Pianist, Patrick X. XU, was born in Vancouver, Canada in 2009 and began his musical journey at the age of five (piano) and ten (violin) respectively. Before moving to USA, he spent 7 years in Hong Kong. A 9th grade student at Phillips Academy Andover and the New England Conservatory Preparatory School, Patrick is studying with Konstantinos Papadakis who is part of the piano faculty of the New England Conservatory's Pre-College. 

Patrick has won the Champion in the 24th International Children and Youth Piano Competition, and was the Gold Prize winner in the 9th Hong Kong Youth Music Competition for both Piano and Music Competition. In addition to solo piano, Patrick is an avid violinist. He attended Hong Kong Metropolitan Youth Orchestra and performed 5 public concerts from 2020 to 2023.

​At school, Patrick plays the violin in the Symphony Orchestra and is a dedicated member of the Chamber Music Society as the pianist. Outside of music, he established a charity group to help under-privileged children to continue learning and enjoys participating in Model United Nations conference and STEM related academic contests.

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Aran Miguel B. Villanueva - Professional Category - Platinum Medalist - Violin - Philippines
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Aran is a 20-year-old violinist from General Santos City, Philippines. He is currently studying for a Bachelor of Music Performance – String Performance at St. Scholastica's College Manila. His first foray into Music competitions was in 2019, in Long Beach, California, USA, during the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA), where he won Silver in the Classical Instrumental Category, Bronze in the Original Works Instrumental Category, and another Bronze in the Jazz Category.
During the pandemic, he joined several online music competitions,  Music Singapore 2022, the 4th International Vienna Music Competition, and the Vienna Virtuoso Music Competition 2022, where he got an Honorable Mention. His latest feat was qualifying for the semi-finals in the prestigious National Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) 2023 Senior Strings Category in Manila. He plays for the St. Scholastica Chamber Orchestra and in his hometown, Gensan Youth Orchestra. He dreams of traveling and sharing his music all over the world. 

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​Helen Wu - Young Artist Category - Platinum Medalist - Piano - USA

Helen Wu is 16 years old, and has been playing piano since she was 6 years old. She has won numerous awards, and has been invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York, Solitaire Mozarteum in Salzburg, and the Petit Palau in Barcelona. She loved attending the Masterworks Music Festival in the summer of 2023, and she enjoyed playing chamber music in C’est Bon Chamber Music Academy. In addition to music, Helen loves baking, reading, swimming, and traveling. 

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William Matthew Lim - Young Artist Category - Platinum Medalist - Piano - Philippines

William Matthew Lim's musical journey began at the age of 3, unveiling a natural inclination for melodies. His early talent gained recognition, propelling him onto the stage of Little Big Shots Philippines and marking the commencement of numerous triumphs in piano competitions, both locally and internationally. Collaborating with distinguished artists like David Pomeranz, Sharon Cuneta, and Lani Misaluscha, and participating in performances with The Madrigals choir, added depth to Matty's musical journey.

As Matty matured, his interests broadened to encompass math, science, programming, and humanitarian work. Successfully balancing these diverse pursuits, he secured admission to the rigorous Philippine Science High School Main Campus, consistently achieving the prestigious Dean's Lister status. Simultaneously, Matty excelled in international competitions, clinching champions, gold, and silver awards across various fields.

Recognized as a prodigy, Matty's accomplishments featured prominently in local newspapers, highlighting his extraordinary abilities. On January 29th, 2024, he achieved a significant milestone by securing 2nd place in the Singapore International Youth Piano Competition, underscoring his commitment to balancing the challenges of PSHS Main Campus with his dedication to music.

In addition to his musical pursuits, Matty assumed the role of acting president in their school's orchestra club, showcasing not only his musical talents but also his leadership skills. Furthermore, he attained champion titles and earned gold trophies and medals during the Hong Kong International Computational, an international Python programming competition.

Adding to his exceptional achievements, Matty has been a MENSA member since the age of 5, a testament to his intellectual prowess and early cognitive acumen.

While Matty's pursuit of mastery continues, his 12-year journey from age 3 to 15 illustrates not only his musical brilliance but also his unwavering work ethic. This trajectory plays a crucial role in shaping his character, emphasizing continuous improvement and resilience in the pursuit of excellence.

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​Jae Park - Young Artist Category - Platinum Medalist - Violin - Canada

Jae Park, born in South Korea, relocated to Canada at the age of five and is currently a Grade 9 student at Magee Secondary School. His musical journey began at the age of seven when he started exploring the violin. Under the coaching of Lawrie Hill, the head of the violin department at the Vancouver Academy of Music, Jae has received continuous support in his musical pursuits. His dedication and talent have been recognized through numerous competitions, such as being named the “Outstanding Performer of the Year 2023” in the Global Musical Arts Competition, gold medalist in the North America Virtuoso International Music Competition, grand prize winner at the Vienna Youth music competition, trophy winner at the Richmond Music Festival in 2023. Furthermore, Jae has been awarded a scholarship from the Edith Lando Gifted Youth Competition, showcasing his exceptional musical abilities and promising future in the world of music.

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​Sophia Fulton - Young Artist Category - Platinum Medalist - Piano - USA

Sophia began her piano studies at the age of 4. She is a student of the Precollege of
Manhattan School of Music, where she studies with Golda Vainberg-Tatz.
Sophia is the awards recipient of many music competitions and festivals, such as First
Prize in Piano Junior Musician Category (age 11-15) at the 2024 Anselmo VI International
Music Competition, Platinum Prize in the Young Artist (age 12-19) category at the 2023-24
Canadian International Music Competition, Grand Prix winner of Concert Festival International Competitions in 2023, Super Bronze in Golden Key International Music Festival in 2020, and the Second Place in Crescendo International Music Competition in 2018. Sophia has performed in many concert halls, including the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Baruch Performing Arts Center, Steinway Hall in New York, Steinway Society of Puerto Rico. She performed on 2023 Puerto Rico International Music Festival as the youngest.

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Junlu Wang - Youth Category - Platinum Medalist - Flute - Canada
 
Junlu Wang is 16 years old and has been interested in music since childhood. She has played the flute for 8 years. In addition to being the chief flutist in the school band, she has joined some ensembles and orchestras outside. Starting this school year, she has played both the flute and the piccolo for the Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra. She has also participated in several performances and music festivals in Shanghai and Vancouver. In the 2023-24 Canadian International Music Competition (4th Edition), Junlu Wang performed Concertino for flute and piano by Cécile Chaminade and achieved the Platinum medal. Although this piece is at an advanced level among flute music and was a great challenge to her at first, she eventually managed to cooperate with her accompanist well and play the piece fluently with enthusiasm.

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Jeremy Zhang - Junior Performer Category - Platinum Medalist - Piano - Canada

Jeremy Zhang is from Toronto, Canada. He is 9 years old and started learning the piano at
seven. Jeremy has won the 1 st place in the “Crescendo International Music Competition”, the 1 st place in the “SSP Sea to Sky International Piano Competition”, the gold medal in the “Steinway Piano Competition Canada”, and the 2 nd place in the OMFA Ontario provincial finals. Jeremy also loves making arts. His art works have been displayed on the Art Gallery of Ontario website and won the “Star Artist” award in the 2023 Picasso Art Contest.

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Emily Tan Yi Rui - Young Performer's Category - Platinum Medalist - Guzheng - Singapore 
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Emily Tan Yi Rui, 10, started learning Piano and Violin at a very tender age of 4. At tender age of 5, she has been selected to perform at the Yong Siew Toh, NUS under the junior orchestra with Mandeville in Dec 2018. She also performed soloist violin for the Mandeville Biennial Concert on 30th November 2019 in the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University Singapore. Furthermore, she raised funds while playing orchestra in April 2019 at Tampines Festive Arts Festival. Processing great passion in music, she also attended orchestra and travel to Japan in December 2019 for an exchange. She played Pachelbel – Candon in d, Toy Symphony and Paprika with her violin with the Gunma Junior Orchestra. Additionally, she picked up Guzheng during the Covid-19 lockdown in Singapore and score Distinctions for her practical exams. She has since then continued this as her 3rd music instrument. Being a multi-talented instrumentalist from Singapore, she is a member of her school’s co-curricular activity (CCA) Guzheng Ensemble Team. She has learnt that playing solo and in a team is different, it requires teamwork and discipline to achieve the same goal.  

She has also won several international and national awards over the years including 3 1st prizes in all 3 instruments categories for IMKA Music competition. She was awarded 1st place at Red Maple Keyboard competition, Young Musicians Category and was invited to perform in Toronto, Canada. She was awarded Champion for Piano in the 3rd ASCO International Music Competition. She has topped the charts for Performance (Gold Prize for Piano), clinching the title of All Round Musician Award for winning 2 or more prizes under different instruments. She was also awarded LYM Annual Star Awards. She was also invited to be in the list of Season 2023 Recitals at Carnegie Hall.
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She is also currently pursuing Grade 7 Violin, Piano and Grade 7 Guzheng with Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), With her strong passion towards music, she performs on and off stage for charity and social events. She plays Christmas songs on her violin during Christmas visits to the old folks’ home yearly. Often, she was tasked to perform during school concerts and recitals.  She hopes that her music passion will continue to bring smiles and love to everyone in the world.

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​Barbara Ban - Professional Category - Gold Medalist - Voice - Italy 

Barbara Ban was born in Trieste, Italy in 1995. Music has always been an important part in her everyday life. She's a flute player and a singer. It all started after being inspired by Ian Anderson and Elton John. At the age of 13 she began her musical studies at the Conservatory of music "G. Tartini" in Trieste. In 2018 she obtained the master degree of flute at the Conservatory of music "J. Tomadini" in Udine with top grade (110/110).  During her Master years she also attended the course of jazz singing, always achieving highest marks (30/30). 

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Joseph Zhang  - Junior Performer Category - Gold Medalist - Piano - Canada

Joseph Zhang is from Toronto, Canada. He is 7 years old and started learning the piano at five.
Joseph has won more than 15 top prizes in various international and Canadian music festivals
and competitions, including the platinum prize of “UK Best Classical Musicians Awards”, the 1 st
place in the “Crescendo International Music Competition”, the gold medal in the “Steinway
Piano Competition Canada”, and the 2 nd place in the OMFA Ontario provincial finals. Joseph also
loves singing and playing ukulele. He performs at local charity concerts. Joseph hopes he can
help and inspire people by sharing his music.

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Vanni Yam - Junior Performer Category - Gold Medalist - French Horn - Hong Kong 
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​Vanni Yam started playing French horn with her mother, Sally Ng, at the age of five.
She is currently a student in the Junior Program of the Hong Kong Academy for
Performing Arts, studying under Mr. Homer Lee, the French horn player of Hong Kong
Philharmonic Orchestra.

Vanni was invited by the RTHK to be a guest performer on the TV program hosted by
Harry Wong when she was 5 years old. She attained the ABRSM Grade 4 exam at the
age of 6, and Grade 8 at the age of 9. She is currently the principal horn of Diocesan
Girls Junior School orchestra.
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Vanni was awarded the first prize in the International European Music Competition in
Germany and the third prize in the MAP International Music Competition in the USA
in 2023. She has also won awards in many competitions such as the Hong Kong Music
Festival and the International Young Artist Music Contest.

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Domenico Petruzziello - Professional Category - Gold Medalist - Violin - Italy

Domenico Petruzziello, born on October 10, 1966, is a distinguished violinist celebrated for his extraordinary musical talent and achievements. In 1986, he graduated with top honors, earning full marks and praise for his exceptional skills in violin performance.

Domenico's illustrious career is highlighted by numerous prestigious awards. He has been a recipient of the golden awards in both New York and Los Angeles, a testament to his exceptional prowess in the field. His performances have graced some of the most renowned stages, including a remarkable performance at Carnegie Hall in New York.

In the competitive arena, Domenico has achieved remarkable success, winning several international competitions. He was awarded the First Overall Prize at the Saint-Saëns International Competition, a significant achievement in the world of classical music. Further, he secured the Grand Prize and First Prize Overall at the Schubert Competition, showcasing his versatility and depth in interpretation. His excellence was again recognized with the First Overall Prize at the Beethoven International Competition, underscoring his mastery of a broad repertoire.
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Domenico's instrument of choice is a historic Gagliano violin, crafted in 1786. This exquisite instrument complements his profound musicality and contributes to the unique and captivating sound that he brings to his performances.

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Lynwoo Kim - Young Artist Category - Gold Medalist - Clarinet - Canada

​Lynwoo Kim distinguishes himself as both a clarinetist and a percussionist. Originally hailing from South Korea, he relocated to Vancouver, Canada, in the 7th grade. Presently, he is an enrolled Grade 9 student at Lord Byng Secondary School in Vancouver West. Commencing his clarinet endeavors in 2022 at the age of 12, Lynwoo has dedicated his studies to the Vancouver Academy of Music under the tutelage of Christopher Lee, the principal clarinetist of the Vancouver Island Symphony Orchestra. Despite playing percussion in the Vancouver Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra with a passion for percussion, Lynwoo's ardor for the clarinet has yielded commendable achievements within a brief timeframe. His accolades include securing the second position at the Kiwanis Music Festival 2023 and attaining the gold award at the Vancouver Area Youth Arts International Festival 2023. Fueled by unwavering dedication, Lynwoo anticipates advancing his musical journey with the clarinet.

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Yifan Ding - Young Artist Category - Gold Medalist - Piano - USA

​15-year-old pianist Yifan “Evan” Ding is a sophomore at Boston Latin School in Massachusetts. Evan has made appearances at renowned locations such as Zankel Hall and Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, Victor Borge Hall, Lincoln Center, Jordan Hall, John Knowles Paine Hall and University of Padua in Italy. Notably, in 2023, Evan was invited to perform Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 “Emperor” as a soloist with the Immaculata Symphony in Pennsylvania. During the same year, he was invited to perform at the National Philharmonic in Warsaw, Poland, Solitär Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, and Petit Palau de la Música Catalana Concert Hall in Barcelona, Spain.
 
Over the recent years, he has amassed an impressive array of awards, including accolades from the Thomas F. Hulbert International Piano Competition, Poland’s Chopin Avenue International Piano Competition, UK’s Enkor International Music Competition, UK’s Glory International Piano Competition, and UK’s Great Composers Competition in various categories. His achievements extend to Russia’s International Moscow Music Competition, Salzburg and Barcelona Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competitions, VIVO International Music Competition, Charleston International Music Competition, Paderewski International Piano Competition, Bay State Piano Competition by Massachusetts Music Teachers Association, and many more.
 
In addition to his competition awards, Evan has been recognized with the Wanda Paik award from the New England Piano Teachers Association. He also plays the violin and viola in the New England Conservatory Prep Orchestra and his school’s concert orchestra. Evan is deeply committed to promoting music education and serves as a regional director for the Back-to-Bach Project, where he and his team volunteer regularly to inspire and educate young musicians.

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​Nathan Yuen - Young Artist - Gold Medalist - Contemporary Piano - Hong Kong 

Entering for the first time, Nathan Yuen is a Canadian Hong Kong-born (2010) composer and
pianist. His music journey began at the age of five with the desire to learn the violin and
classical guitar. Nathan found his true passion with the piano and at the age of 10, he
composed his first song “Away from You”. The song is dedicated to his father as an emotional
response of being separated from him due to COVID travel restrictions, it was so compelling
that he was asked to perform “Away from You” at the 10x10 Hong Kong virtual charity event in
May 2021 that helped to raise over HK$ 1M for local charities. In the last two years, Nathan has
moved from Hong Kong to Shanghai and back. Living in different cities has inspired him to write
“Memories of Home” and “The Place We Met”. Nathan’s aspiration is to study composition for
film, TV and video game scoring. In addition to his musical talent, Nathan creates extraordinary
pencil drawings and has a keen eye for photography.  

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​Josh Chandra - Young Artist Category - Gold Medalist - Piano - USA

I enjoy playing the piano and have been a pianist for 10 years. I have completed many pieces in various difficulties and musical periods to increase the level I play at. However, Classical Music resonates with me the most. I've had education with private tutors, and have experience playing in a Duo and Ensemble. Lastly, I have won awards at the International level with the help of my teachers to demonstrate my dedication and passion for piano.

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Luo Jia Sheng - Rising Star Category - Gold Medalist - Violin - Indonesia

Hi everyone, I am Luo Jia Sheng, but people usually call me by my English name, Jason Luo or Jason for short. I am 13 years old and I started the violin at March 2022 during the lockdown because I
recently quit piano and was looking for another instrument that I like to start on. I worked hard and here I am on my first music competition. I am so happy with my results and I will continue practicing!

I am involved in orchestras like Purwa Caraka Youth Orchestra and I have played in many school or outside places. I hope I can keep sharing my music to everyone!

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​Faervilui Fievel Xia -  Rising Star Category - Gold Medalist - Violin - Indonesia

Faervilui Fievel Xia was born in Jakarta, June 10, 2009. When he was three-years old, he started to learn piano under the guidance of Ms. Ivana Fidelia Tjandra, B.A. in Mus & Psych, MMus. at Piano
Friends Studio. In which, he has been awarded with a full Scholarship. This, along with his academic achievements as an honour student at Bina Tunas Bangsa School, Fievel has been awarded with a full Scholarship for grade 6-12. He has joined the Orchestra Club in grade 9, under Mr. Michale Affandie.

In 2023, they reached the finals of both the Shigeru Kawai Piano Competition, with the final round scheduled for March 2024, and the Ananda Sukarlan Award in the piano category for young artists, also qualifying as a finalist in the Chicago International Music Competition And Festival. The year 2022 saw them winning the "The Stuttering Kid" - Ananda Sukarlan NFT Piano Competition, and securing the Diamond Award as a finalist in the Piano D1 category at the Hong Kong International Youth Performing Arts Festival. Their accomplishments extend further back with a 3rd place in the CDE Piano Classic Competition and a 1st place in the Essex Indonesia Piano Competition in 2017, a 3rd place in the IPC - Indonesia Piano Competition in 2016, and a 2nd place in the same competition in 2014, showcasing a consistent record of excellence over a decade.

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​Candice Vimala Sukma -  Rising Star Category - Silver Medalist – Piano - Indonesia

Candice Vimala Sukma, 9 years old, is from Jakarta, Indonesia. She began
her musical journey at the age of four, when she started learning piano at
Yamaha Music School. 1 year later, the pandemic came and she had to study
online for 2 years, yet her enthusiasm towards piano remained passionate.
Candice has won several awards in local and international piano competition.
She has won First Commendation Prize at Rhapsodie Indonesia Piano
Competition 2022, Diamond Award at Indonesia Online Music Festival 2023,
Silver Award in Singapore Performing Arts Festival 2023, Gold Award in
Rhapsodie Indonesia Piano Competition 2023, and Silver Award in 2023-
2024 Canadian International Music Competition. Candice has performed her
original song at Junior Original Concert and participated at Ensemble Concert
yearly. A Grade 4 student at Bina Tunas Bangsa School, she is also active as pianist in school’s
Orchestra Club. Her dream is to become a famous pianist.

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​Caren Tiffany Ho -  Rising Star Category - Silver Medalist - Piano - Indonesia

My music journey started at the age of eight when my parents decided to introduce me to the piano. Raised in a typical Asian home where it is mandatory for parents to somehow immerse their child into an instrument, they chose the piano, with its grandeur and versatility, it soon captured my fascination. The decision to immerse myself in the world of piano wasn't merely a familial influence; I was already somewhat intrigued with how pianists are articulate with their fingers
and rhythm.

Ever since I started having piano lessons, the piano became more than just an instrument; it was a canvas upon which I painted my ​emotions and aspirations. The therapeutic sense of implying my feelings into music became a constant source of solace and self-expression, soon a hobby. As I
progressed through each lesson, my commitment to the piano deepened. From modest recitals in our living room to participating in international competitions, each step marked a milestone in my musical journey. The piano not only provided a medium for personal expression but also instilled in me discipline, perseverance, and an enduring appreciation for music. Today, the piano stands as my steadfast companion, witnessing my growth and evolving identity. As I continue to navigate the intricate pathways of my musical journey, the piano remains at the core, a beacon of inspiration, guiding me towards new horizons of personal artistic expression.

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Charmaine Menfri Pranadjaj - Rising Star Category - Silver Medalist - Piano - Indonesia 

Charmaine has been learning Piano since 6 years old. Her eager to learn makes her to join some concert. Hope she will always grow and learn Piano and music to be a better person.

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​Verenice Suryanegara -  Rising Star Category - Piano - Silver Medalist - Piano - Indonesia 
 
Hi my name is Verenice and i play the piano. I remember being four years old, barely reaching the piano keys, and just messing around, making up silly tunes. Before i knew it my parents enrolled me in piano lessons. From there, it was like an obsession. Every spare moment I had, I'd be practicing the piano , sometimes when i was confused at the notes i would use Youtube for help.
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Now, at twelve, the piano isn't just something I play around with anymore. It's like an old friend, a way to express myself when words just don't cut it. Sure, there have been some rough times, moments when I wanted to give up, but i never gave up. Yes i do sometimes get nervous and anxious when im in a competition but i pulled through. It's about pushing myself, learning new things, and figuring out all the amazing stuff you can do and never give up.

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Audrey Felicia Soetanto - Rising Star Category - Silver Medalist - Piano - Indonesia 

Hi, I`m Audrey, and I've been playing the piano since I was three and a half. While it's been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, I've always approached it as more of a casual hobby than a serious pursuit. I've had piano lessons and participated in performances and competitions, but my commitment to the piano has always been secondary to other interests and responsibilities.

Playing the piano brings me joy and serves as a form of relaxation and creativity amidst the busyness of life. While I may not spend hours practicing or aspire to a professional career in music, I cherish the moments I spend at the piano, whether it's playing familiar tunes or simply improvising melodies for my own enjoyment. Overall, the piano remains a pleasant and fulfilling aspect of my life, enriching my days with its melodic charm and providing a welcome respite from the demands of everyday life.

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​Eveline Stephanie Wijaya - Rising Star Category - Piano - Silver Medalist - Indonesia 

I started to play piano because I joined a piano tuition. My parents both have a liking towards piano, which is why, I was applied to a piano lesson since I was small. I never liked piano that much before, it was like a chore for me. Then, I quit my piano tuition. However, on grade 11, I joined my school’s piano club and started to play piano again. I enjoyed playing piano and started to learn new songs. Then, my teacher suggested to join the Canadian piano competition. It was my first piano competition that I ever joined, and thankfully it was not held offline. Since it was my first time, I was nervous and was not hoping to get any reward. However, I ended up getting silver award and was thankful for what I had gotten.

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David Zhu - Rising Star Category - Silver Medalist - Guitar - USA

David Zhu, a 16-year-old guitarist from New Jersey, USA, has been refining his classical guitar skills at the Pre-college of Juilliard School since 2020, under the guidance of Mrs.Tali Roth. Before that, he received instruction from Mr. Mark Delpriora at the Precollege of Manhattan School of Music. At the age of ten, David's solo guitar performance was featured in a film commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Newark School of the Arts. He has had the privilege of performing at Carnegie Hall on two occasions in 2022. David has actively participated in numerous music competitions, earning several notable accolades as listed below.
 
First Prize Winner in IMKA Internet Music and Dance Competition, May 2022, and King's Peak International Music Competition, May 2021. Second Prize Winner in Canadian International Music Competition, Jan 2024; Grand Metropolitan International Music Competition, featured on on NBC, Fox, ABC, and CBS news network sites live, 4/1/2022, American Music Talent Competition, Oct, 2022; American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition, Feb, 2021; American Protégé International Music Talent Competition, June 2020. Bronze Medalist on Global International Music Competition, 2023; Global International Music Competition, 2022 and Honorable Award in Young Maestro International Competition, and  broadcasted on Youtube on 3/28/2022; and American Music Talent Competition, 2021.

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Ipek Pinar Dogan - Rising Star Category - Bronze Medalist - Piano - Canada

​I am Ipek Pinar Dogan, ten years old. I started playing the piano when I was six years old. Currently, I am at level four with my piano teacher, Neanne Stamonica. I enjoy arts, dancing, drawing, and crafts. My aspiration is to become a great pianist worldwide. I also enjoy chatting with my friends. I live in Toronto, Canada. Additionally, I have a twin sister, Inci Bahar, who also plays the piano. This is my first official competition. I have received a medal from a recital and have participated in 5 recitals throughout my piano journey. Piano has brought me immense joy.

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