Aloha International Piano Festival Announces Competition Winners

June 12, 2011 - PRLog -- HONOLULU - The Aloha International Piano Festival is proud to announce the official winners of the 2011 Aloha International Piano Competition, held at the Hawaii Convention Center on June 11, 2011. This year, Evan Lin, a student of Joanna Fan of Honolulu, was selected as the First Place winner in the Young Artist level. Honorable Mention went to Andrew Ramos, also of Honolulu and a student of Thomas Yee.

“In our sixth year, the Aloha International Piano Festival and Competition has become an internationally recognized event, drawing young pianists from around the world as well as Hawaii,” said Lisa Nakamichi, executive director, Aloha International Piano Festival. “By hosting the Festival and Competition here in Honolulu, we can offer local piano students access to classes and workshops that are usually only available on the mainland. Thanks to the Festival, local pianists have experienced the highest level of instruction – and inspiration – here at home. And, local music lovers have enjoyed extraordinary concert experiences with critically-acclaimed concert pianists.”

Other winners of the Aloha International Piano Competition - Solo Division include:
Level A (up to age 8)
1st place - Shandee Teruya, age 8 (student of Renee Teruya)
2nd place - Sophie Nguyen, age 7 (student of Joanna Fan)
3rd Place - Cedric Yeo, age 8 (student of Bichuan Li)
Honorable Mention - Erin Nishi, age 8 (student of Rosy Wang)

Level B (ages 9 – 11)
1st Place - Joshua Zhu, age 10 (from Illinois, student of Sueanne Metz)
2nd Place - Colin Yeo, age 9 (student of Bichuan Li)
3rd Place - Sophia Li, age 10 (from Illinois, student of Sueanne Metz)
Honorable Mention - Josette Huang, age 9 (student of Joanna Fan), Kenny Kwock, age 10 (student of Joanna Fan), Clarise Huang, age 10 (student of Joanna Fan), Jasmine Blust, age 11 (student of Ann Tanabe)

Junior level (ages 12 – 14)
1st Place - Roger Shen, age 12 (student of Sueanne Metz, from Illinois)
2nd Place - Shandee Teruya, age 13 (student of Thomas Yee)
3rd Place - Lauren Nguyen, age 11 (student of Joanna Fan)
Honorable Mentions - Jarrett Takaki, age 12 (student of Sueanne Metz, from Illinois), Kiana Miles, age 14 (student of Thomas  Yee)

High School (ages 15 – 18)
1st Place - Annie Kwok, age 16 (student of Thomas Yee)
2nd Place - Kai Wong, age 14 (student of Joanna Fan)
3rd Place - Trenton Takaki, age 16 (from Illinois, student of Sueanne Metz)

Unless otherwise noted, these Aloha International Piano Competition winners are from Hawaii.

This year, the Aloha International Piano Festival welcomes participants and concertgoers from Hawaii, the mainland, Turkey and Japan for nine days of workshops, masterclasses, community events and evening concerts in intimate settings. In 2011, student attendance exceeded expectations and concert attendance is expected to be high, with several evening concerts offered and a demand for masterclasses increasing among local piano students.

The first concert of the Festival is today at the Hawaii Convention Center:

Sunday, June 12, 2011 - 2:00 p.m.
Pianomania ENCORE!
Free Admission
Music lovers of all ages will enjoy this FREE concert featuring ensembles of up to 10 pianists performing together on five pianos – with selections conducted by Sara Davis Buechner. Plus, concertgoers will experience the Hawaii premiere of a beautiful new work by American composer John Bayless, who will also be in attendance. No tickets required!

The following events take place this week:

Monday, June 13, 2011 - 7:30 p.m.
Aloha International Piano Competition Winners Concert
Free Admission
Winners of the 2011 Aloha International Piano Festival treat the audience to a FREE concert featuring their highlighted works.

Monday, June 13, 2011 – 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Masterclass by Norman Krieger
Admission: Adults $15, Students $5
Acclaimed pianist Norman Krieger – a favorite with local audiences – returns to teach a fascinating masterclass. Both teachers and students of all instruments are strongly encouraged to observe as the “master” instructs students. Observing a masterclass can be a transformative experience – even if you can’t play a note!

Tuesday, June 14, 2011 – 7:30 p.m.
Sara Davis Buechner Recital
Admission: Adults $20, Students $5
World-renowned pianist and recording artist Sara Davis Buechner promises to delight concertgoers with an eclectic program featuring works by Haydn, von Weber, Turina and Gershwin.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011 – 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Masterclass with John Bayless
Admission: Adults $15, Students $5
Don’t miss the exceptional opportunity to experience the insights provided in this intimate masterclass with celebrated composer, pianist and recording artist John Bayless. His numerous CDs have been at the top of the Classical and Classical Crossover Charts since the mid-eighties and include “Bach on Abbey Road, ” “The Puccini Album” (Billboard Magazine’s Number One top selling album for 19 weeks), “The Movie Album” and “West Side Story Variations. ”

Thursday, June 16, 2011 – 7:30 p.m.
Conversations with Jon Nakamatsu
Admission: Adults $15, Students $5
Winner of the Tenth Van Cliburn Piano Competition, Nakamatsu will share career insights into life as a professional concert pianist, while also answering questions from the public and sharing a masterclass with two “star” students.

Saturday, June 18, 2011 – 7:30 p.m.
Aloha International Piano Festival Concert Celebration
Admission: Adults $25, Students $5
The thrilling Festival finale features pianists Jon Nakamatsu, Lisa Nakamichi, Norman Krieger, Sean Botkin, Norika Uenaka, John Bayless and Sara Davis Buechner, plus violinist Ignace Jang, clarinetist Scott Anderson and special guest musicians from the Hawaii Youth Symphony. Prepare to be inspired!

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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 while enriching the lives of all music lovers. AIPF offers local students the opportunity to learn from world-class pianists in an affordable setting that is close to home. Each year, AIPF strives to elevate the awareness of classical music in Hawaii and give people of all ages the opportunity to experience music in a welcoming environment. Visit www.alohapianofestival.com for more information.