International Piano and Strings Competition 2019

The American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition is open to school students and adults of all nationalities and countries.

A record number of musicians from 17 countries applied for this year’s Competition. They hailed from the different parts of the U.S., Canada, Costa Rica, Italy, Germany, Israel, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.

All instruments, including piano, strings, voice and winds are welcome to participate in the Competition.

Participants are required to submit video/audio recording materials for the audition.  Multiple winners will be chosen in each age category.

We invite school students and adults to participate in the Competition. There is no age limit for the adult participants.

Eligibility

Multiple winners were chosen in each of the following age groups:

18 year old school students must enter in the Intermediate Category. 18 year old college students must apply under the College Students/Professionals Category.

Awards

Winners will perform at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Winners Concerts will take place on

• Sunday, March 31, 2019
• Saturday, April 13, 2019
• Friday, April 19, 2019
• Sunday, April 21, 2019 (Easter)
• Sunday, May 12, 2019
• Monday,  May 27, 2019 (Memorial Day)
• Sunday, June 9, 2019
• Sunday, June 16, 2019
• Sunday, June 23, 2019
• Saturday, June 29, 2019

Judges’ Distinction Award were granted based on the judges’ recommendations.

Judges

Four qualified judges will evaluate audition materials. All judges are independent; their students are not allowed to apply this season. Dr. Sophya Genis was invited as a Chairwoman of the Competition 2019. A graduate of the Moscow Gnessin Academy of Music, Mrs. Genis holds a Doctor of Music Arts Degree. She studied piano with such renowned professors as Alexander Yoheles, Yakov Milstein and Yakov Zak.

American Protégé

International Piano and Strings Competition 2019 Results

American Protégé Judges Distinction Award (Plaque Trophies) Winners

William Zhang is 6 years old, from Milton of Georgia.  A current student of concert pianist and professor Raffi Besalyan, William began his piano studies at age of 4.  William showed keen interest for music as early as he was two. William is a cheerful, passionate and inquisitive boy. He has participated in a variety of recitals in different venues, including local churches, schools, golf clubs and senior homes. American Protégé is William’s first piano competition. He worked hard through the process of rehearsal and enjoyed playing his favorite music. William also loves reading, drawing and swimming.

Xiaoyan Liu, from Great Neck, NY, began to learn piano at the age of 3. After a few months of study, she started to shine among the top winners of several talent shows held in Queens and Long Island of NY, and U.N. headquarter in Manhattan. Her talent also attracted media’s attention. She was featured in an interview on Sinovision TV, one of the most influential Chinese televisions in North America. When she was 4, she frequently appeared on various concerts and competitions. She was selected to showcase on a Leschetizky Association concert, and her first public ticket-selling performance was in a benefit concert in Flushing townhall. She won the 1st place in International Competition in Carnegie Hall at the age of 5 as the youngest contestant. Her piano styles include classical, jazz, and pop. She also enjoys performing piano accompaniment for her father (who sings) on public concerts.

Emma K. Liu has played piano since age 5 and has passed ABRSM grade 5 exam in piano with distinction. She has won the Steinway Society of South Jersey Young Pianist Competition for 3 consecutive years.  Through various wins from International Piano Competitions, they have afforded her the privilege to perform at venues such as the Curtis Institute for Music and the Academy of Music at Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center as well as Weill Recital Hall and Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall in New York City. In 2017, Emma accepted an invitation to perform at the International Music Festival at Mirror Hall in Tarnow, Poland and attended masterclasses from esteemed international piano professors.  She has also accepted an invitation in the summer of 2019 to participate in the Student Exchange Program in Osaka, Japan.

Shaun Koumans, age 12, is from Irvine, CA. He started learning violin at age 6. He was the Grand Prize winner for the Satori Strings contest in 2018 and has won many awards from the Southwestern Youth Music Festival competitions. Shaun is also active as an orchestral player. Shaun has been playing at the Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings since 2017. He currently studies violin under Eunhee Kim.

International Piano and Strings Competition 2019

Winners by Age Category

Other applicants received Diploma of Participation

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WINNERS!

Winners Recital Information

1. Each Winner will perform at one Recital. Recital date and time will be offered to the Winner based on the Competition results.

2. Only ONE piece from the audition repertoire within a time limit will be performed at the Winners Recital.

3. To change a performance repertoire (including the shortened version of the piece for string performers), a $55 fee must be submitted on the Contact Us page no later than two months prior to the Recital.

4. Extra performance time of up to 1 minute can be accepted for the Winners Recital with an additional fee of $100.

5. Only piano accompaniment can be used at the Winners Recital. No acoustic system will be provided.

6. Participants must bring their own piano accompanist. American Protege does not provide piano accompanist, but can recommend one after enrollment into the program.

7. Photo or video recording during the recital is strictly prohibited per the Carnegie Hall policy. A professional photographer will be taking pictures of the performers.

8. The total Recital and Photo Fee for Solo Participants is $400 and includes: admission for participant and piano accompanist (if needed), Recital booklets with all Recital performers’ biographies and photos (for the booklet sample please click here), Certificate, Teacher’s Diploma, four guests’ tickets and 20-30 digital photos taken by professional photographer during participant’s performance on the stage.

9. Recital Fee for Ensemble Members is $230 per Member plus $100 Photo Fee per group. Recital Fee includes admission for Ensemble Member, Recital booklets with all Recital performers’ biographies and photos (for the booklet sample please click here), Certificate, Teacher’s Diploma, four guests’ tickets per Member.

10. Organizational Committee collects short biographies to introduce the performers at the Winners Recitals. American Protégé reserves the rights to edit, reduce and re-format any submitted biographies as it seems appropriate and fit into the Recital Brochure.

11. Recital and Photo Fees are not refundable.

12. All participants are responsible for their own expenses (travel, housing accommodations, etc.).

13. Detailed Winners Recital Guidelines will be emailed to the participants.