Lana C. Marina, 47
Stay-at-home mother
New York, New York
United States

Lana C. Marina spent her childhood practicing the piano, under the assumption she would become a pianist. When she was 14, she won the Van Cliburn scholarship to the National Music Camp at Interlochen, Michigan, where she met Mr. Cliburn at a ceremony: “He complimented my playing and, memorably, kissed my hand.” But an accident—in which she slipped on ice and broke her left wrist—during her junior year at Northwestern University sidelined her budding career, and Ms. Marina decided to pursue a law degree at Cornell Law School. For 20 years, she worked as a trademark lawyer until she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which forced her to take a step back. In participating at the Amateur Competition, Ms. Marina hopes to achieve her personal best and to be a role model for her 9-year-old daughter, Sydney, showing her that one can accomplish dreams in the face of obstacles.

COMPETITION REPERTOIRE

Preliminary Round
HOROWITZ   Variations on Themes from Bizet’s Carmen
LISZT   Paganini Etude No. 3 in G-sharp Minor (“La Campanella”)

Quarterfinal Round
BEETHOVEN   Sonata No. 3 in C major, op. 2, no. 3: I. Allegro con brio
BALAKIREV   Islamey (Oriental Fantasy)

Semifinal Round
BRAHMS   Etude No. 5 (for left hand) after J.S. Bach’s Chaconne in D Minor, BWV 1016
SCHULZ-EVLER   Concert Arabesques on Motifs by Johann Strauss (“By the Beautiful Danube”)

Final Round
MENDELSSOHN   Piano Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, op. 25: III. Presto