Aloha International Piano Competition Announces Winners

KAILUA, Hawaii - June 17, 2015 - PRLog -- The Aloha International Piano Festival (AIPF) today announced the winners of the 2015 Aloha International Piano Competition, which took place at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu, Hawaii last week. The event drew young competitors from as far as China, Japan, Alaska, Minnesota and Massachusetts. Judges included celebrated concert pianists Jon Nakamatsu, Thomas Sauer, Haewon Song, and Sara Davis Buechner. The 2015 Aloha International Piano Competition also featured the return of the Adult Amateur category, spotlighting pianists ages 25 and up.

2015 Aloha International Piano Competition Winners

Level A Division (up to age eight)

First Place: Freya Pang, age 6 (Darien, IL)
Second Place: Isabella Liu, age 7 (Honolulu, HI)
Third Place (tie): Holly Hudson, age 6 (Kailua, HI), and Sophie Zhang, age 7 (Lancaster, PA)

Level B Division (age 9 to 11)

First Place: Aimee Okagawa, age 9 (Honolulu, HI)
Second Place:  Natalie Zhang, age 10 (Weston, MA)
Third Place:  Sophie Nguyen, age 11 (Honolulu, HI)
Honorable Mention: Laura Huang, age 9 (Honolulu, HI)

Junior Division (age 12 to 14)

First Place (tie): Jairus Rhoades, age 11 (Mililani, HI), and Xin Yue Zhang, age 12 (Lancaster, PA)
Second Place:  Jeremy Lee, age 13 (Honolulu, HI)
Third Place (tie):  Adrian King, age 12 (Silverdale, WA), and Nita Qiu, age 12 (St. Paul, MN)
Honorable Mention:  Maya Suzuki, age 14 (Anchorage, AK), and Kevin Zhu, age 13 (Laguna Niguel, CA)

High School Division (age 15 to 18)

First Place:  Hengyu Ren, age 12 (China)
Second Place:  Shandee Teruya, age 17 (Honolulu, HI)
Third Place (tie):  Lauren Nguyen, age 15 (Honolulu, HI), and Mya King, age 15 (Silverdale, WA)

Adult Amateur Division

First Place (tie):  Shiro Kawai (Honolulu, HI), and Kotomi Suzuki (Japan)
Honorable Mention:  Peggy King (Maui, HI), Jason Loke (Honolulu, HI), and Ai Wang (Berkeley, CA)

Each year, AIPF presents free and low-cost events that are suitable for music lovers of all ages. This affordable, welcoming Festival rivals its mainland counterparts in artistic quality, educational opportunities and family fun. AIPF offers Hawaii’s youth, teachers and families equal access to music education programs that are usually only found at high-cost events on the mainland. The Festival and Competition are the only opportunities for Hawaii’s young pianists to participate in recognized and respected events in their home state.

To learn more, visit alohapianofestival.com and follow AIPF on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/AlohaPianoFestival).

About the Aloha International Piano Festival
Founded in 2006 by pianist Lisa Nakamichi, the Aloha International Piano Festival (AIPF) is a non-profit organization committed to educating Hawaii’s children and teachers. AIPF addresses three main needs: the need for music teacher training, the need for low-cost music concerts and music education opportunities, and the need for high-caliber classes and lessons for piano students. AIPF strives to elevate the awareness of classical music in Hawaii while offering people of all ages the opportunity to experience music in a welcoming and educational setting. As a result of volunteer efforts and work to minimize administrative costs, AIPF has consistently offered programs at low and affordable rates for more than eight years. Visit alohapianofestival.com (http://www.alohapianofestival.com/) for more information.

The Aloha International Piano Festival gratefully acknowledges the support of The Atherton Foundation, the Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu, and the Music Teachers National Association Foundation.