Competitions: 2015 Cliburn Junior

Yukine Kuroki – Cliburn Junior 2015 Semifinal Round Concerto

YUKINE KUROKI
Japan  |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
RAVEL Piano Concerto in G Major
accompanied by Evan Mitchell

Yukine Kuroki has performed with the Astana State Philharmonic, Tatarstan National Symphony, Lithuanian National Symphony, and Polish Silesian Philharmonic Orchestras. She has appeared at the International Music Festival “Stars on Baikal” in Irkusk, Russia at the invitation of Denis Matsuev, as well as the Vilnius Piano Festival and in recitals throughout her native Japan. Competition credits include top prizes at the International Balys Dvarionas, Hanoi International Piano, and International Festival “Astana Piano Passion” Competitions. Yukine studies with Fumiko Eguchi at the Showa Music University Piano Art Academy since 2008. She delights in spreading joy through music, and her hobbies include calligraphy and monochrome drawing.

Evelyn Mo – Cliburn Junior 2015 Semifinal Round Concerto

EVELYN MO
United States |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
CHOPIN Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, op. 11
accompanied by Natsuko Ejiri

Evelyn Mo made her orchestra debut at age 13 with the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, and has since performed with the Orchestra of Northern New York, Camerata New York, and Shenandoah University Symphonic Orchestra. Currently under the guidance of John O’Conor, she has previously studied with Thomas Mastroianni, and attended the Lee University and Southeastern Piano Festivals and the International Institute for Young Musicians. In addition to piano, Evelyn plays the violin and is active at her school as member of the yearbook staff, writer for the newspaper, and coordinator for Tomorrow’s Women in Science and Technology.

Alim Beisembayev – Cliburn Junior 2015 Semifinal Round Concerto

ALIM BEISEMBAYEV
Kazahkstan  |  Age 17

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
TCHAIKOVSKY Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat Minor, op. 23
accompanied by Evan Mitchell

Born in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Alim Beisembayev has given recitals in London, Moscow, and Sacile (Italy), and performed with the Svetlanov Orchestra of Moscow, New Russia Orchestra, and the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra, working with conductors Mark Gorenstein, Evgeny Bushkov, and Dmitry Liss. Competition credits include third prize at the 2014 International Liszt Competition for Young Pianists in Weimar and first prize in the 2008 International Televised Competition for Young Musicians “Nutcracker” in Moscow. Alim began piano lessons at age 5, and moved to the United Kingdom in 2010 to attend the Purcell School for Young Musicians, first studying with Rustem Hayroudinoff and now with Tessa Nicholson. In his spare time, he pursues ballroom dancing, acting, and learning languages.

Wei Luo– Cliburn Junior 2015 Semifinal Round Concerto

WEI LUO
China  |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
RACHMANINOV Piano Concerto No. 1 in F-sharp Minor, op. 1
accompanied by Natsuko Ejiri

Born in Shenzhen, Wei Luo began piano lessons at age 5, and gave her debut recital in Hong Kong at age 6. Winner of the 11th Chopin International Competition for Young Pianists in Poland (2010) and the 2nd Rachmaninov International Piano Competition for Young Pianists in Frankfurt (2010), she made her orchestra debut with the Shanghai Philharmonic in 2010 after winning its concerto competition. After studying at the Music Middle School Affiliated with the Shanghai Conservatory, Wei moved to Philadelphia in 2012 to learn from Gary Graffman and Robert McDonald at The Curtis Institute of Music, where she was selected in her second year as the only pianist in the annual Dean’s Honors Recital. She also has lessons from Eleanor Wong and has taken master classes with Leon Fleisher, Richard Goode, Seymour Lipkin, Abbey Simon, and Nelita True.

Youlan Ji – Cliburn Junior 2015 Semifinal Round Concerto

YOULAN JI
China |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
CHOPIN Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, op. 21
accompanied by Evan Mitchell

Born in Beijing, Youlan Ji moved to New York in 2012 to attend The Juilliard School’s Pre-College Division, where she studies with Yoheved Kaplinsky. She has won first prizes at the United States Open Music Competition (2011), Third International Rosario Marciano Piano Competition (2011), and Xinghai Cup Piano Competition (2008). She has been featured in recitals in Beijing, Shanghai, and New York, and performed the Beethoven Second Concerto with Juilliard’s Pre-College Orchestra as winner of its concerto competition. In her spare time, Youlan enjoys watching movies and swimming.

Arsenii Mun – Cliburn Junior 2015 Semifinal Round Concerto

ARSENII MUN
Russia  |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
GRIEG Piano Concerto in A Minor, op. 16
accompanied by Natsuko Ejiri

Born in St. Petersburg, Arsenii Mun began studying music at age 6 and entered the Special Musical School-Lyceum of the State Conservatory in 2010. He gave his recital debut in 2012, and has since performed throughout Russia and with the St. Petersburg State Academic Symphony, Tchaikovsky Symphony, and Tallin Chamber Orchestras. He has won prizes in the 2011 Horowitz International Piano Competition, 2012 International Televised Competition for Young Musicians “Nutcracker” in Moscow, and the 2014 Yamaha Music Award. Also interested in chamber music, Arsenii has attended the Musica Mundi festival in Belgium—where he received feedback from Daniel Barenboim, Maxim Vengerov, and Itamar Golan—the Peter de Grote Festival in the Netherlands, and the Salzburg International Summer Academy.

Evelyn Mo – Cliburn Junior 2015 Semifinal Round Recital

EVELYN MO
United States |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
MENDELSSOHN Variations sérieuses, op. 54
CHOPIN Ballade No. 4 in F Minor, op. 52
LIEBERMANN Gargoyles, op. 29: I. Presto
LISZT Concert Paraphrase on Waltz from Gounod’s Faust

Evelyn Mo made her orchestra debut at age 13 with the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, and has since performed with the Orchestra of Northern New York, Camerata New York, and Shenandoah University Symphonic Orchestra. Currently under the guidance of John O’Conor, she has previously studied with Thomas Mastroianni, and attended the Lee University and Southeastern Piano Festivals and the International Institute for Young Musicians. In addition to piano, Evelyn plays the violin and is active at her school as member of the yearbook staff, writer for the newspaper, and coordinator for Tomorrow’s Women in Science and Technology.

Youlan Ji – Cliburn Junior 2015 Semifinal Round Recital

YOULAN JI
China |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
BACH Overture in the French Style, BWV 831
BEETHOVEN Sonata No. 24 in F-sharp Major, op. 78
CHOPIN Rondo in E-flat Major, op. 16
CARTER “Caténaires” from Two Thoughts about the Piano

Born in Beijing, Youlan Ji moved to New York in 2012 to attend The Juilliard School’s Pre-College Division, where she studies with Yoheved Kaplinsky. She has won first prizes at the United States Open Music Competition (2011), Third International Rosario Marciano Piano Competition (2011), and Xinghai Cup Piano Competition (2008). She has been featured in recitals in Beijing, Shanghai, and New York, and performed the Beethoven Second Concerto with Juilliard’s Pre-College Orchestra as winner of its concerto competition. In her spare time, Youlan enjoys watching movies and swimming.

Yukine Kuroki – Cliburn Junior 2015 Semifinal Round Recital

YUKINE KUROKI
Japan  |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
LISZT, Transcendental Etude No. 11 “Harmonies du soir”
SAINT-SAENS-LISZT Danse macabre, op. 40
TOKUYAMA Musica Nara for Piano
LIERBERMANN Gargoyles, op. 29

Yukine Kuroki has performed with the Astana State Philharmonic, Tatarstan National Symphony, Lithuanian National Symphony, and Polish Silesian Philharmonic Orchestras. She has appeared at the International Music Festival “Stars on Baikal” in Irkusk, Russia at the invitation of Denis Matsuev, as well as the Vilnius Piano Festival and in recitals throughout her native Japan. Competition credits include top prizes at the International Balys Dvarionas, Hanoi International Piano, and International Festival “Astana Piano Passion” Competitions. Yukine studies with Fumiko Eguchi at the Showa Music University Piano Art Academy since 2008. She delights in spreading joy through music, and her hobbies include calligraphy and monochrome drawing.

Arsenii Mun – Cliburn Junior 2015 Semifinal Round Recital

ARSENII MUN
Russia  |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
BEETHOVEN 32 Variations in C Minor, WoO 80
SCHUBERT Moment musicaux in C Major, D. 780, no. 1
DEBUSSY Pour le piano
SHCHEDRIN Rodion, Humoresque
LISZT “Tarantella” from Venezia e Napoli

Born in St. Petersburg, Arsenii Mun began studying music at age 6 and entered the Special Musical School-Lyceum of the State Conservatory in 2010. He gave his recital debut in 2012, and has since performed throughout Russia and with the St. Petersburg State Academic Symphony, Tchaikovsky Symphony, and Tallin Chamber Orchestras. He has won prizes in the 2011 Horowitz International Piano Competition, 2012 International Televised Competition for Young Musicians “Nutcracker” in Moscow, and the 2014 Yamaha Music Award. Also interested in chamber music, Arsenii has attended the Musica Mundi festival in Belgium—where he received feedback from Daniel Barenboim, Maxim Vengerov, and Itamar Golan—the Peter de Grote Festival in the Netherlands, and the Salzburg International Summer Academy.

Wei Luo– Cliburn Junior 2015 Semifinal Round Recital

WEI LUO
China  |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
SHOSTAKOVICH Prelude and Fugue in A-flat Major, op. 87, no. 17
BRAHMS Variations on a Theme by Paganini, op. 35, Books I and II
RAVEL La valse

Born in Shenzhen, Wei Luo began piano lessons at age 5, and gave her debut recital in Hong Kong at age 6. Winner of the 11th Chopin International Competition for Young Pianists in Poland (2010) and the 2nd Rachmaninov International Piano Competition for Young Pianists in Frankfurt (2010), she made her orchestra debut with the Shanghai Philharmonic in 2010 after winning its concerto competition. After studying at the Music Middle School Affiliated with the Shanghai Conservatory, Wei moved to Philadelphia in 2012 to learn from Gary Graffman and Robert McDonald at The Curtis Institute of Music, where she was selected in her second year as the only pianist in the annual Dean’s Honors Recital. She also has lessons from Eleanor Wong and has taken master classes with Leon Fleisher, Richard Goode, Seymour Lipkin, Abbey Simon, and Nelita True.

Alim Beisembayev – Cliburn Junior 2015 Semifinal Round Recital

ALIM BEISEMBAYEV
Kazahkstan  |  Age 17

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
CHOPIN Fantasie in F Minor, op. 49
LIGETI Etude No. 10 “Der Zauberlehrling”
PROKOFIEV Sonata No. 7 in B-flat Major, op. 83

Born in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Alim Beisembayev has given recitals in London, Moscow, and Sacile (Italy), and performed with the Svetlanov Orchestra of Moscow, New Russia Orchestra, and the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra, working with conductors Mark Gorenstein, Evgeny Bushkov, and Dmitry Liss. Competition credits include third prize at the 2014 International Liszt Competition for Young Pianists in Weimar and first prize in the 2008 International Televised Competition for Young Musicians “Nutcracker” in Moscow. Alim began piano lessons at age 5, and moved to the United Kingdom in 2010 to attend the Purcell School for Young Musicians, first studying with Rustem Hayroudinoff and now with Tessa Nicholson. In his spare time, he pursues ballroom dancing, acting, and learning languages.

Evelyn Mo – Cliburn Junior 2015 Quarterfinal Round Recital

EVELYN MO
United States |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
BACH Prelude and Fugue in C-sharp Major, Book I, BWV 848
MOZART Sonata No. 18 in D Major, K. 576: I. Allegro
CHOPIN Nocturne in E-flat Major, op. 55, no. 2
CHOPIN Ballade No. 1 in G Minor, op. 23
RAVEL “Ondine” from Gaspard de la nuit

Evelyn Mo made her orchestra debut at age 13 with the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, and has since performed with the Orchestra of Northern New York, Camerata New York, and Shenandoah University Symphonic Orchestra. Currently under the guidance of John O’Conor, she has previously studied with Thomas Mastroianni, and attended the Lee University and Southeastern Piano Festivals and the International Institute for Young Musicians. In addition to piano, Evelyn plays the violin and is active at her school as member of the yearbook staff, writer for the newspaper, and coordinator for Tomorrow’s Women in Science and Technology.

Youlan Ji – Cliburn Junior 2015 Quarterfinal Round Recital

YOULAN JI
China |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
BACH Prelude and Fugue in D Major, Book II, BWV 874
CHOPIN Nocturne in E-flat Major, op. 55, no. 2
BARBER Sonata for Piano, op. 26

Born in Beijing, Youlan Ji moved to New York in 2012 to attend The Juilliard School’s Pre-College Division, where she studies with Yoheved Kaplinsky. She has won first prizes at the United States Open Music Competition (2011), Third International Rosario Marciano Piano Competition (2011), and Xinghai Cup Piano Competition (2008). She has been featured in recitals in Beijing, Shanghai, and New York, and performed the Beethoven Second Concerto with Juilliard’s Pre-College Orchestra as winner of its concerto competition. In her spare time, Youlan enjoys watching movies and swimming.

Tony Yike Yang – Cliburn Junior 2015 Quarterfinal Round Recital

TONY YIKE YANG
Canada |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
BACH Prelude and Fugue in G-sharp Minor, Book II, BWV 887
CHOPIN Nocturne in B Major, op. 62, no. 1
LISZT Après une lecture de Dante (Fantasia Quasi Sonata)

Tony Yike Yang has appeared with The Cleveland Orchestra under Jahja Ling, Hilton Head Symphony with Chelsea Tipton, and the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Academy Symphony Orchestra and Toronto Sinfonietta. He has performed throughout Canada, and was honored to play for Her Royal Highness Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall. He has won top prizes at the Thomas & Evon Cooper International Piano, Hilton Head International Piano, Bosendorfer and Yamaha USASU International Junior Piano, and Gina Bachauer International Junior Piano Competitions. Tony enrolled in the Pre-College Division at The Juilliard School in 2014 under the guidance of Julian Martin, having previously attended the Glenn Gould School at the Royal Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of James Anagnoson and taken master classes with Richard Goode, Dang Thai Son, and Dan Zhaoyi.

Gavin Bala – Cliburn Junior 2015 Quarterfinal Round Recital

GAVIN BALA
Singapore  |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
BACH Prelude and Fugue in D Minor, Book II, BWV 875
BRAHMS Intermezzo in E Minor, op. 119, no. 2
DEBUSSY Feux d’artifice from Preludes, Book II
CHOPIN Polonaise-Fantasie in A-flat Major, op. 61

Born in Singapore, Gavin Bala has won top prizes at the Malta International Music, Thailand Mozart International, and Singapore Steinway Youth Piano Competitions. Top prize winner of the 2015 American Protégé International Concerto Competition, he will make his Carnegie Hall debut in December 2015. He has performed with the Torun Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonic Orchestra of the University of Alicante, and in recitals in Perugia. Gavin currently studies with Rita Sze in Singapore and Stefano Miceli, the music director and piano chair of the Milano Metropolitan Orchestra. An avid chess player—including international, Chinese (xiangqi), and Japanese (shogi) chess—Gavin is also active in the school choir, has won many prizes for mathematics, and is fluent in English, Chinese, and French.

Clayton Stephenson – Cliburn Junior 2015 Quarterfinal Round Recital

CLAYTON STEPHENSON
United States  |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
BACH Prelude and Fugue in D Major, Book I, BWV 850
CHOPIN Nocturne in C Minor, op. 48, no. 1
LISZT Après une lecture de Dante (Fantasia Quasi Sonata)

Born in New York, Clayton Stephenson enrolled in The Juilliard School’s Music Advancement Program in 2007 and graduated to its Pre-College Division in 2009. He has attended the Morningside Music Bridge Festival in Calgary and the International Keyboard Festival in Manhattan, receiving lessons and master classes with Marc Durant, Krysztof Jablonski, André Laplante, and Alexander Braginsky, among others. He made his concerto debut with the Juilliard Pre-College Symphony Orchestra at Lincoln Center, and has performed with the Midwest Young Artists Symphony Orchestra as part of Chicago’s Ravinia Festival, and in concerts in Munich, Calgary, and New York. Currently a student at the Dalton School, he is involved in the Boys Club of New York, Men of Color Club, and the math team and Transformation Geometry Club at his school.

Yukine Kuroki – Cliburn Junior 2015 Quarterfinal Round Recital

YUKINE KUROKI
Japan  |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
BACH Prelude and Fugue in G Major, Book II, BWV 884
MENDELSSOHN-RACHMANINOV Scherzo from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
SCHUBERT Impromptu in G-flat Major, op. 90, no. 3
BARTOK Out of Doors

Yukine Kuroki has performed with the Astana State Philharmonic, Tatarstan National Symphony, Lithuanian National Symphony, and Polish Silesian Philharmonic Orchestras. She has appeared at the International Music Festival “Stars on Baikal” in Irkusk, Russia at the invitation of Denis Matsuev, as well as the Vilnius Piano Festival and in recitals throughout her native Japan. Competition credits include top prizes at the International Balys Dvarionas, Hanoi International Piano, and International Festival “Astana Piano Passion” Competitions. Yukine studies with Fumiko Eguchi at the Showa Music University Piano Art Academy since 2008. She delights in spreading joy through music, and her hobbies include calligraphy and monochrome drawing.

Arsenii Mun – Cliburn Junior 2015 Quarterfinal Round Recital

ARSENII MUN
Russia  |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
BACH Prelude and Fugue in A Minor, Book II, BWV 889
SHOSTAKOVICH Preludes, op. 34, nos. 2, 10, & 24
CHOPIN Nocturne in F Major, op. 15, no. 1
CHOPIN Etude in C Major, op. 10, no. 1
CHOPIN Mazurka in F-sharp Minor, op. 6, no. 1
CHOPIN Mazurka in A-flat Major, op. 24, no. 3
CHOPIN Ballade No. 1 in G Minor, op. 23

Born in St. Petersburg, Arsenii Mun began studying music at age 6 and entered the Special Musical School-Lyceum of the State Conservatory in 2010. He gave his recital debut in 2012, and has since performed throughout Russia and with the St. Petersburg State Academic Symphony, Tchaikovsky Symphony, and Tallin Chamber Orchestras. He has won prizes in the 2011 Horowitz International Piano Competition, 2012 International Televised Competition for Young Musicians “Nutcracker” in Moscow, and the 2014 Yamaha Music Award. Also interested in chamber music, Arsenii has attended the Musica Mundi festival in Belgium—where he received feedback from Daniel Barenboim, Maxim Vengerov, and Itamar Golan—the Peter de Grote Festival in the Netherlands, and the Salzburg International Summer Academy.

Adam Balogh – Cliburn Junior 2015 Quarterfinal Round Recital

ADAM BALOGH
Hungary  |  Age 17

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
BACH Prelude and Fugue in C-sharp Minor, Book I, BWV 849
CHOPIN Berceuse in D-flat Major, op. 57
LISZT Scherzo and March

Adam Balogh has performed with the Budapest Festival (2010), Berlin Konzerthaus (2012), and Pannon Philharmonic (2010, 2012) Orchestras, working with such conductors as Iván Fischer and András Vass. He has been featured in recitals in Amsterdam, Basel, Berlin, Budapest, Dortmund, and Philadelphia, and gives both solo and chamber recitals annually in his hometown of Pécs, Hungary. Currently studying with Attila Némethy and Gábor Echkardt at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music’s Preparatory School for Exceptionally Gifted Children, he has participated in master classes and lessons with Dmitri Bashkirov, Zoltán Kocsis, and Jerome Lowenthal, among others. In addition to winning prizes in every major national piano competition in Hungary, he has garnered awards at the PianoTalents (Milan 2013), Jeno Takács (Graz 2010), and “Young Virtuoso” (Zagreb 2008) International Piano Competitions.

Misha Galant– Cliburn Junior 2015 Quarterfinal Round Recital

MISHA GALANT
United States  |  Age 17

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
BACH Prelude and Fugue in A Minor, Book II, BWV 889
BEETHOVEN Sonata No. 18 in E-flat Major, op. 31, no. 3: I. Allegro
CHOPIN Nocturne in C Minor, op. 48, no. 1
LISZT Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2

Born in California to a family of musicians, Misha Galant has already performed with the Utah, Oakland, Peninsula, and Livermore Symphony Orchestras, as prizewinner of several concerto competitions. He is one of ten recipients of the Chopin Scholarship from the Chopin Foundation of the United States. Currently studying with both his mother, Olya Katsman, and Sharon Mann at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Misha has participated in the Music@Menlo and Foulger International Music Festivals. He has had lessons with Nelita True, Boris Berman, Yu-Jane Yang, and most recently has had coaching with Yoshikazu Nagai. He also enjoys math and is an accomplished swimmer.

Wei Luo– Cliburn Junior 2015 Quarterfinal Round Recital

WEI LUO
China  |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
BACH Prelude and Fugue in C-sharp Minor, Book II, BWV 873
CHOPIN Nocturne in G Major, op. 37, no. 2
PROKOFIEV Sonata No. 7 in B-flat Major, op. 83

Born in Shenzhen, Wei Luo began piano lessons at age 5, and gave her debut recital in Hong Kong at age 6. Winner of the 11th Chopin International Competition for Young Pianists in Poland (2010) and the 2nd Rachmaninov International Piano Competition for Young Pianists in Frankfurt (2010), she made her orchestra debut with the Shanghai Philharmonic in 2010 after winning its concerto competition. After studying at the Music Middle School Affiliated with the Shanghai Conservatory, Wei moved to Philadelphia in 2012 to learn from Gary Graffman and Robert McDonald at The Curtis Institute of Music, where she was selected in her second year as the only pianist in the annual Dean’s Honors Recital. She also has lessons from Eleanor Wong and has taken master classes with Leon Fleisher, Richard Goode, Seymour Lipkin, Abbey Simon, and Nelita True.

Alim Beisembayev – Cliburn Junior 2015 Quarterfinal Round Recital

ALIM BEISEMBAYEV
Kazahkstan  |  Age 17

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
BACH Prelude and Fugue in D Major, Book II, BWV 874
CHOPIN Nocturne in C Minor, op. 48, no. 1
LISZT Ballade No. 2 in B Minor

Born in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Alim Beisembayev has given recitals in London, Moscow, and Sacile (Italy), and performed with the Svetlanov Orchestra of Moscow, New Russia Orchestra, and the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra, working with conductors Mark Gorenstein, Evgeny Bushkov, and Dmitry Liss. Competition credits include third prize at the 2014 International Liszt Competition for Young Pianists in Weimar and first prize in the 2008 International Televised Competition for Young Musicians “Nutcracker” in Moscow. Alim began piano lessons at age 5, and moved to the United Kingdom in 2010 to attend the Purcell School for Young Musicians, first studying with Rustem Hayroudinoff and now with Tessa Nicholson. In his spare time, he pursues ballroom dancing, acting, and learning languages.

Xiaoxuan Li – Cliburn Junior 2015 Quarterfinal Round Recital

XIAOXUAN LI
China  |  Age 13

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
BACH Prelude and Fugue in B-flat Major, Book I, BWV 866
CHOPIN Andante Spianato et Grande Polonaise brillante, op. 22
CHOPIN Nocturne in B Major, op. 32, no. 1
SHCHEDRIN Two Polyphonic Pieces, op. 20

Xiaoxuan Li began piano lessons at age 4. He has performed extensively throughout China, most recently at the Shanghai Concert Hall and Oriental Art Center, Suzhou Culture and Arts Centre, and Yangzhou Culture and Arts Centre. He has also appeared at the Osaka International Music Festivals, and with the Ashdod Orchestra at the Perugia International Music Festival. Competition credits include prizes at the Hilton Head International Piano Competition for Young Aritsts, Ettlingen Young Artist Piano Competition, Asia Youth Piano Competition, and Chinese National Young Artist Piano Competition. He currently studies with Zhe Tang at the Music Middle School Affiliated with the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. He listens to all kinds of music, and enjoys reading and football in his spare time.

Gregory Martin – Cliburn Junior 2015 Preliminary Round Recital

GREGORY MARTIN
United States |  Age 17

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
BEETHOVEN Sonata No. 4 in E-flat Major, op. 7: I. Allegro molto e con brio
TCHAIKOVSKY Dumka in C Minor, op. 59
LISZT Paganini Etude No. 6 in A Minor

Born in Houston, Gregory Martin began piano lessons at age 4 while in California. At age 7, he performed with a chamber group of the Colorado Symphony, and has since also appeared with the New Mexico, Albuquerque, San Juan Four Corners, Omsky, and Yaroslavsky Academic Symphony Orchestras, among others. He has studied at the Central School of Music at the Moscow State Conservatory since 2011, under the guidance of Mikhail Voskresensky and Andrei Diev. Gregory made his Carnegie Hall debut as part of the Golden Key Music Festival in 2007, and has also participated in the Vladimir Spivakov International Festival “Moscow Meets Friends,” PianoTexas International Academy and Festival, Euro Music Festival in Germany, and Summer Music Studies in Urbino, Italy. He is a scholar of the Vladimir Spivakov International Charity Foundation.

Evelyn Mo – Cliburn Junior 2015 Preliminary Round Recital

EVELYN MO
United States |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
HAYDN Sonata in C Major, Hob. XVI:50: I. Allegro
CHOPIN Etude in F Major, op. 10, no. 8
SCHUMANN Variations on the Name “Abegg,” op. 1
PROKOFIEV Sonata No. 2 in D Minor, op. 14: IV. Vivace

Evelyn Mo made her orchestra debut at age 13 with the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, and has since performed with the Orchestra of Northern New York, Camerata New York, and Shenandoah University Symphonic Orchestra. Currently under the guidance of John O’Conor, she has previously studied with Thomas Mastroianni, and attended the Lee University and Southeastern Piano Festivals and the International Institute for Young Musicians. In addition to piano, Evelyn plays the violin and is active at her school as member of the yearbook staff, writer for the newspaper, and coordinator for Tomorrow’s Women in Science and Technology.

Youlan Ji – Cliburn Junior 2015 Preliminary Round Recital

YOULAN JI
China |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
HAYDN Sonata in G Major, Hob. XVI:40: I. Allegro innocente
CHOPIN Etude in A Minor, op. 25, no. 11 (“Winter Wind”)
RACHMANINOV Etude-Tableaux, op. 33, nos. 2, 6, 8, & 9

Born in Beijing, Youlan Ji moved to New York in 2012 to attend The Juilliard School’s Pre-College Division, where she studies with Yoheved Kaplinsky. She has won first prizes at the United States Open Music Competition (2011), Third International Rosario Marciano Piano Competition (2011), and Xinghai Cup Piano Competition (2008). She has been featured in recitals in Beijing, Shanghai, and New York, and performed the Beethoven Second Concerto with Juilliard’s Pre-College Orchestra as winner of its concerto competition. In her spare time, Youlan enjoys watching movies and swimming.

Anastasia Magamedov – Cliburn Junior 2015 Preliminary Round Recital

ANASTASIA MAGAMEDOVA
Tajikistan |  Age 17

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
LISZT Sonetto 104 del Petrarca
CHOPIN Etude in A Minor, op. 25, no. 11 (“Winter Wind”)
BEETHOVEN, Sonata No. 7 in D Major, op. 10, no. 3: I. Presto
RAVEL “Toccata” from Le tombeau de Couperin

Anastasia Magamedova made her Carnegie Hall debut at Weill Concert Hall in 2014 and performed with the Utah Symphony and several times with the American West Symphony. Competition awards include first prize at the International Keyboard Odyssiad, as well as finalist at the MTNA National and Yamaha USASU International Piano Competitions. A recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award, she has been featured on From the Top and on BYU Radio. Born in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Anastasia began studying piano at age 5 and is currently under the guidance of Dr. Heather Conner. Besides playing the piano, she studies violin and enjoys ceramic arts.

Tony Yike Yang – Cliburn Junior 2015 Preliminary Round Recital

TONY YIKE YANG
Canada |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
BEETHOVEN Sonata No. 4 in E-flat Major, op. 7: I. Allegro molto e con brio
CHOPIN Etude in A Minor, op. 25, no. 11 (“Winter Wind”)
CHOPIN Barcarolle in F-sharp Major, op. 60

Tony Yike Yang has appeared with The Cleveland Orchestra under Jahja Ling, Hilton Head Symphony with Chelsea Tipton, and the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Academy Symphony Orchestra and Toronto Sinfonietta. He has performed throughout Canada, and was honored to play for Her Royal Highness Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall. He has won top prizes at the Thomas & Evon Cooper International Piano, Hilton Head International Piano, Bosendorfer and Yamaha USASU International Junior Piano, and Gina Bachauer International Junior Piano Competitions. Tony enrolled in the Pre-College Division at The Juilliard School in 2014 under the guidance of Julian Martin, having previously attended the Glenn Gould School at the Royal Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of James Anagnoson and taken master classes with Richard Goode, Dang Thai Son, and Dan Zhaoyi.

Gavin Bala – Cliburn Junior 2015 Preliminary Round Recital

GAVIN BALA
Singapore  |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
HAYDN Sonata in D Major, Hob. XVI:51
MENDELSSOHN Rondo capriccioso in E Major, op. 14
LIZST Concert etude No. 3 “Un sospiro”

Born in Singapore, Gavin Bala has won top prizes at the Malta International Music, Thailand Mozart International, and Singapore Steinway Youth Piano Competitions. Top prize winner of the 2015 American Protégé International Concerto Competition, he will make his Carnegie Hall debut in December 2015. He has performed with the Torun Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonic Orchestra of the University of Alicante, and in recitals in Perugia. Gavin currently studies with Rita Sze in Singapore and Stefano Miceli, the music director and piano chair of the Milano Metropolitan Orchestra. An avid chess player—including international, Chinese (xiangqi), and Japanese (shogi) chess—Gavin is also active in the school choir, has won many prizes for mathematics, and is fluent in English, Chinese, and French.

Wai Yuen Won – Cliburn Junior 2015 Preliminary Round Recital

WAI YUEN WON
Hong Kong  |  Age 17

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
HAYDN Sonata in A-flat Major, Hob. XVI:46: I. Allegro moderato
CHOPIN Etude in G-sharp Minor, op. 25, no. 6
GRANADOS Allegro de concierto, op. 46

Wai Yuen Wong has won top prizes in the Hong Kong General Next Arts Music Competition (2014), Korea International Competition for Young Artists (2013), International Piano Competition for Young Musicians in Enschede, Netherlands (2012, also winning the Press and Audience Prizes), and the Steinway & Sons International Youth Piano Competition (2011). Recitals have taken her to Beijing, Xiamen, and Hamburg, and she was invited to perform in the 42nd Hong Kong Arts Festival. Wai Yuen has also appeared as soloist with the Hong Kong Children and Pan Asia Symphony Orchestras. Currently studying with Eleanor Wong at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, she has also taken master classes with Graham Scott, Fanny Waterman, Joyce Yang, and Giuseppe Andaloro.

Anna Larsen – Cliburn Junior 2015 Preliminary Round Recital

ANNA LARSEN
United States  |  Age 15

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
HAYDN Sonata in F Major, Hob. XVI:23
CHOPIN Etude in A-flat Major, op. 25, no. 1
CHOPIN Etude in A Minor, op. 25, no. 11 (“Winter Wind”)
CHOPIN Etude in C Minor, op. 25, no. 12

Anna Larsen has released albums of Bach’s complete Well-Tempered Clavier and Chopin’s Etudes, op. 25. Under the auspices of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation, she has been featured in performances at Carnegie Hall in New York, Millenium Park in Chicago, National Aquatics Center “Water Cube” in Beijing; the Oprah Winfrey Show, and NPR’s From the Top. Currently studying with Alexander Korsantia, she has previously taken lessons with Hung-Kuan Chen and Tema Blackstone, and played in master classes at the Aspen Summer Music and Oxford Philomusica Piano Festivals. Also an active composer, she has won two ASCAP awards as well as state MTNA Composition Competition awards seven years in a row. In addition to her musical activities, Anna is passionate about writing and singing.

Clayton Stephenson – Cliburn Junior 2015 Preliminary Round Recital

CLAYTON STEPHENSON
United States  |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
CHOPIN Etude in B Minor, op. 25, no. 10 (“Octave”)
BEETHOVEN Sonata No. 3 in C Major, op. 2, no. 3: I. Allegro con brio
CHOPIN Scherzo No. 1 in B Minor, op. 20

Born in New York, Clayton Stephenson enrolled in The Juilliard School’s Music Advancement Program in 2007 and graduated to its Pre-College Division in 2009. He has attended the Morningside Music Bridge Festival in Calgary and the International Keyboard Festival in Manhattan, receiving lessons and master classes with Marc Durant, Krysztof Jablonski, André Laplante, and Alexander Braginsky, among others. He made his concerto debut with the Juilliard Pre-College Symphony Orchestra at Lincoln Center, and has performed with the Midwest Young Artists Symphony Orchestra as part of Chicago’s Ravinia Festival, and in concerts in Munich, Calgary, and New York. Currently a student at the Dalton School, he is involved in the Boys Club of New York, Men of Color Club, and the math team and Transformation Geometry Club at his school.

Eoín Flemin – Cliburn Junior 2015 Preliminary Round Recital

EOÍN FLEMING
Ireland  |  Age 17

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
BEETHOVEN Sonata No. 8 in C Minor, op. 13 (“Pathetique”): I. Grave: Allegro di molto e con brio
SCHOENBERG Sechs kleine Klavierstücke, op. 19
LIZST Paganini Etude No. 3 “La campanella”

Born in Dublin, Eoín Fleming began piano lessons at the age of 5 and gave his first public performance at age 7. He was honored to perform for Irish President Mary McAleese in 2009—the same year he played the part of “child pianist” in the film Parked. As a multiple prizewinner of the Feis Ceoil competitions in Dublin, he has performed in both the John Field Room and Main Auditorium of the National Concert Hall. He currently studies with John O’Conor and Réamonn Keary at the Royal Irish Academy of Music; he has played in master class for Martina Filjak, Christopher Elton, and Alexej Gorlatch. Outside of piano, Eoín is interested in languages, cooking, and film.

Yukine Kuroki – Cliburn Junior 2015 Preliminary Round Recital

YUKINE KUROKI
Japan  |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
BEETHOVEN Sonata No. 6 in F Major, op. 10, no. 2
LISZT Transcendental Etude No. 8 “Wild Jagd”
KAPUSTIN Prelude, op. 40, no. 1 (from Eight Concert Etudes)

Yukine Kuroki has performed with the Astana State Philharmonic, Tatarstan National Symphony, Lithuanian National Symphony, and Polish Silesian Philharmonic Orchestras. She has appeared at the International Music Festival “Stars on Baikal” in Irkusk, Russia at the invitation of Denis Matsuev, as well as the Vilnius Piano Festival and in recitals throughout her native Japan. Competition credits include top prizes at the International Balys Dvarionas, Hanoi International Piano, and International Festival “Astana Piano Passion” Competitions. Yukine studies with Fumiko Eguchi at the Showa Music University Piano Art Academy since 2008. She delights in spreading joy through music, and her hobbies include calligraphy and monochrome drawing.

Arsenii Mun – Cliburn Junior 2015 Preliminary Round Recital

ARSENII MUN
Russia  |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
MOZART Sonata No. 12 in F Major, K. 332
LISZT Paganini Etude No. 3 “La campanella”

Born in St. Petersburg, Arsenii Mun began studying music at age 6 and entered the Special Musical School-Lyceum of the State Conservatory in 2010. He gave his recital debut in 2012, and has since performed throughout Russia and with the St. Petersburg State Academic Symphony, Tchaikovsky Symphony, and Tallin Chamber Orchestras. He has won prizes in the 2011 Horowitz International Piano Competition, 2012 International Televised Competition for Young Musicians “Nutcracker” in Moscow, and the 2014 Yamaha Music Award. Also interested in chamber music, Arsenii has attended the Musica Mundi festival in Belgium—where he received feedback from Daniel Barenboim, Maxim Vengerov, and Itamar Golan—the Peter de Grote Festival in the Netherlands, and the Salzburg International Summer Academy.

Natasha Wu – Cliburn Junior 2015 Preliminary Round Recital

NATASHA WU
United States/Taiwan  |  Age 15

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
MOZART Sonata No. 18 in D Major, K. 576: I. Allegro
LISZT Paganini Etude No. 3 “La campanella”
CHOPIN Ballade No. 2 in F Major, op. 38

Born in California, Natasha Wu overcame idiopathic thrombocytopenia at an early age, which has informed her commitment to serving the community through music. Now living in Taiwan, Natasha has performed to raise funds for the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families and the Yong-Fu Elementary School education fund for the needy. She began lessons at age 6, at which age she also won her first national piano competition. At age 10, she won her first international prize at the Tureck International Bach Competition in New York, resulting in a performance at Lincoln Center. She has also won prizes in the Hong Kong Asian Piano Competition, Kawai Asia Piano Competition, International Chopin Piano Competition in Asia, and International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians in Moscow. Natasha currently studies with Grace Chung.

Amir Siraj – Cliburn Junior 2015 Preliminary Round Recital

AMIR SIRAJ
United States  |  Age 15

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
BEETHOVEN Sonata No. 4 in E-flat Major, op. 7: I. Allegro molto e con brio
CHOPIN Etude in G-flat Major, op. 10, no. 5 (“Black Key”)
CHOPIN Ballade No. 1 in G Minor, op. 23

Amir Siraj has performed at venues such as New York’s Carnegie Hall and Boston’s Symphony Hall. He made his concerto debut in 2012 with the Metrowest Symphony Orchestra, performing Beethoven’s Third Concerto, and most recently appeared with the Quincy Symphony Orchestra playing the Liszt’s First Concerto. He is the 2015 winner of the Ruth Davidson Competition, five-time winner of the Massachusetts Music Teachers Association Competition, and three-time prizewinner at the M. Steinert and Sons Competition. Also committed to new music, Amir has performed world premieres for Larry Bell and Stephen Feigenbaum, and U.S. premieres for Lera Auerbach. Currently studying with Helena Vesterman and at the New England Conservatory Preparatory School, he has taken master classes with Hung-Kuan Chen, Bruce Brubaker, and Wha-Kyung Byun. In addition to piano, he devotes his time to varsity men’s crew, choir, and Brookline High School’s Innovation Club, which he founded.

Adam Balogh – Cliburn Junior 2015 Preliminary Round Recital

ADAM BALOGH
Hungary  |  Age 17

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
HAYDN Sonata in B-flat Major, Hob. XVI:41
CHOPIN Etude in C Major, op. 10, no. 1
SCRIABIN Etude in D-flat Major, op. 8, no. 10
LISZT “Tarantella” from Venezia e Napoli

Adam Balogh has performed with the Budapest Festival (2010), Berlin Konzerthaus (2012), and Pannon Philharmonic (2010, 2012) Orchestras, working with such conductors as Iván Fischer and András Vass. He has been featured in recitals in Amsterdam, Basel, Berlin, Budapest, Dortmund, and Philadelphia, and gives both solo and chamber recitals annually in his hometown of Pécs, Hungary. Currently studying with Attila Némethy and Gábor Echkardt at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music’s Preparatory School for Exceptionally Gifted Children, he has participated in master classes and lessons with Dmitri Bashkirov, Zoltán Kocsis, and Jerome Lowenthal, among others. In addition to winning prizes in every major national piano competition in Hungary, he has garnered awards at the PianoTalents (Milan 2013), Jeno Takács (Graz 2010), and “Young Virtuoso” (Zagreb 2008) International Piano Competitions.

Roger Shen– Cliburn Junior 2015 Preliminary Round Recital

ROGER SHEN
United States  |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
PROKOFIEV Sonata No. 2 in D Minor, op. 14: IV. Vivace
HAYDN Sonata in C Minor, Hob. XVI:20: I. Moderato
LISZT Transcendental Etude No. 4 “Mazeppa”

A winner of top prizes at the Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition, Walgreens National Concerto Competition, Aloha International Piano Concerto Competition, and Chicago Steinway Young Artist Competition, Roger Shen has played with the Northbrook Symphony, Midwest Young Artist Symphony, Hawaii Youth, Phillips Exeter Academy, and Most Arts Orchestras. He made his Carnegie Hall debut at Weill Hall in 2010, and has been featured on WFMT’s Introductions. Currently enrolled at Phillips Exeter Academy, Roger is a student of Dr. Jon Sakata; when at home in Illinois, he studies with Dr. Matt Hagle. As an active member of the Academy’s student music outreach group, he performs bi-weekly concerts for various nursing homes around New Hampshire. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, swimming, chess, fishing, and ping pong.

Misha Galant– Cliburn Junior 2015 Preliminary Round Recital

MISHA GALANT
United States  |  Age 17

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
HAYDN Sonata in C Major, Hob. XVI:50: I. Allegro
RACHMANINOV Etude-Tableau in C Minor, op. 39, no. 1
RACHMANINOV Prelude in B Minor, op. 32, no. 10
LISZT Transcendental Etude No. 10 in F Minor

Born in California to a family of musicians, Misha Galant has already performed with the Utah, Oakland, Peninsula, and Livermore Symphony Orchestras, as prizewinner of several concerto competitions. He is one of ten recipients of the Chopin Scholarship from the Chopin Foundation of the United States. Currently studying with both his mother, Olya Katsman, and Sharon Mann at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Misha has participated in the Music@Menlo and Foulger International Music Festivals. He has had lessons with Nelita True, Boris Berman, Yu-Jane Yang, and most recently has had coaching with Yoshikazu Nagai. He also enjoys math and is an accomplished swimmer.

Jeong Min Kim– Cliburn Junior 2015 Preliminary Round Recital

JEONG MIN KIM
South Korea  |  Age 17

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
BEETHOVEN Sonata No. 4 in E-flat Major, op. 7: I. Allegro molto e con brio
CHOPIN Etude in C Major, op. 10, no. 1
DUTILLEUX Choral et Variations from Piano Sonata

A prizewinner of several piano competitions throughout his native Korea, Jeong Min Kim has appeared in recitals throughout Seoul and as soloist with the Atlantic Music Festival and Han Eum Philharmonic Orchestras. He studied at the Korea National Institute for Gifted Artists from 2006 to 2010, when he moved to the United States to enroll in the pre-college division at The Juilliard School. He has participated in the Atlantic Music, Sergei Babayan International Piano, and Busan Music Festivals, receiving tutelage from Martin Canin and Sergei Babayan. In his spare time, Jeong Min enjoys table tennis and golf.

Wei Luo– Cliburn Junior 2015 Preliminary Round Recital

WEI LUO
China  |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
HAYDN Sonata in E-flat Major, Hob. XVI: 52
CHOPIN Etude in G-sharp Minor, op. 25, no. 6

Born in Shenzhen, Wei Luo began piano lessons at age 5, and gave her debut recital in Hong Kong at age 6. Winner of the 11th Chopin International Competition for Young Pianists in Poland (2010) and the 2nd Rachmaninov International Piano Competition for Young Pianists in Frankfurt (2010), she made her orchestra debut with the Shanghai Philharmonic in 2010 after winning its concerto competition. After studying at the Music Middle School Affiliated with the Shanghai Conservatory, Wei moved to Philadelphia in 2012 to learn from Gary Graffman and Robert McDonald at The Curtis Institute of Music, where she was selected in her second year as the only pianist in the annual Dean’s Honors Recital. She also has lessons from Eleanor Wong and has taken master classes with Leon Fleisher, Richard Goode, Seymour Lipkin, Abbey Simon, and Nelita True.

Alim Beisembayev – Cliburn Junior 2015 Preliminary Round Recital

ALIM BEISEMBAYEV
Kazahkstan  |  Age 17

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
BEETHOVEN Sonata No. 7 in D Major, op. 10, no. 3: I. Presto
RACHMANINOV Prelude in G Major, op. 32, no. 5
DEBUSSY Feux d’artifice from Preludes, Book II
LISZT Paganini Etude No. 6 in A Minor

Born in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Alim Beisembayev has given recitals in London, Moscow, and Sacile (Italy), and performed with the Svetlanov Orchestra of Moscow, New Russia Orchestra, and the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra, working with conductors Mark Gorenstein, Evgeny Bushkov, and Dmitry Liss. Competition credits include third prize at the 2014 International Liszt Competition for Young Pianists in Weimar and first prize in the 2008 International Televised Competition for Young Musicians “Nutcracker” in Moscow. Alim began piano lessons at age 5, and moved to the United Kingdom in 2010 to attend the Purcell School for Young Musicians, first studying with Rustem Hayroudinoff and now with Tessa Nicholson. In his spare time, he pursues ballroom dancing, acting, and learning languages.

Anna Boonyanit – Cliburn Junior 2015 Preliminary Round Recital

ANNA BOONYANIT
United States |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
BACH Prelude and Fugue in E Minor, Book I, BWV 855
BEETHOVEN Sonata No. 3 in C Major, op. 2, no. 3: I. Allegro con brio
CHOPIN Etude in G-sharp Minor, op. 25, no. 6
STRAVINSKY “Chez Petrouchka” from Trois mouvements de Petrouchka

Anna Boonyanit made her Carnegie Hall debut in June 2014, as prizewinner of the International Russian Music Piano Competition in 2013. She has also won first prizes and numerous special awards at the Los Angeles International Liszt, Seattle International Piano, and Music Teacher’s Association of California State Concerto Competitions. Anna has performed with Nova Vista Symphony, El Camino Youth Senior, Diablo Symphony, and Palo Alto Philharmonic Orchestras. She has appeared on NPR’s From the Top and is a National YoungArts Foundation winner. A participant in the John Perry Academy of Music, and the Music@Menlo Chamber Music, California Summer Music, and Seattle International Piano Festivals, she has taken lessons with John Perry, Wu Han, Alessio Bax, Bruce Adolphe, and Peter Mack. She is currently studying with Hans Boepple. A fan of the San Francisco Giants, Anna also writes for an arts and lifestyle magazine published by her school.

Xiaoxuan Li – Cliburn Junior 2015 Preliminary Round Recital

XIAOXUAN LI
China  |  Age 13

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
HAYDN Sonata in E-flat Major, Hob. XVI: 52: I. Allegro
RACHMANINOV Élégie in E-flat Minor, op. 3, no. 1
RACHMANINOV Etude-tableau in E-flat Minor, op. 39, no. 5
CHOPIN Etude in G-sharp Minor, op. 25, no. 6

Xiaoxuan Li began piano lessons at age 4. He has performed extensively throughout China, most recently at the Shanghai Concert Hall and Oriental Art Center, Suzhou Culture and Arts Centre, and Yangzhou Culture and Arts Centre. He has also appeared at the Osaka International Music Festivals, and with the Ashdod Orchestra at the Perugia International Music Festival. Competition credits include prizes at the Hilton Head International Piano Competition for Young Aritsts, Ettlingen Young Artist Piano Competition, Asia Youth Piano Competition, and Chinese National Young Artist Piano Competition. He currently studies with Zhe Tang at the Music Middle School Affiliated with the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. He listens to all kinds of music, and enjoys reading and football in his spare time.

Zitong Wang – Cliburn Junior 2015 Preliminary Round Recital

ZITONG WANG
China  |  Age 16

2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival
June 21–28, 2015  I  TCU
Fort Worth, TX, USA

Program:
BEETHOVEN Sonata No. 7 in D Major, op. 10, no. 3: I. Presto
CHOPIN Etude in G-sharp Minor, op. 25, no. 6
SCRIABIN Sonata No. 4 in F-sharp Major, op. 30

Born in Inner Mongolia of China, Zitong Wang was first introduced to piano at an early age, and made her solo recital debut at age 13 in Beijing’s Zhongshan Music Hall. She moved to Philadelphia from China three years ago to study with Meng-Chieh Liu and Eleanor Sokoloff at The Curtis Institute of Music. She has also taken frequent lessons with Beatrice Long, and master classes with Seymour Lipkin, Gary Graffman, and Ignat Solzhenitsyn. First-prize winner of the Tureck International Bach and Virginia Waring International Concerto Competitions, she most recently won second prize at the 2014 Thomas & Evon Cooper International Competition. She has appeared with the Cleveland, Hangzhou Philharmonic, Yakima Symphony, and Waring Festival Orchestras, among others. Also interested in early music, she studies harpsichord as a secondary major at Curtis with Leon Schelhase, and has participated in master class with Trevor Pinnock on antique harpsichords from the Flint Collection.