Results are in for our First virtual solo COMPETITION!

Click here to see their performances!

Arizona Piano Institute’s first-ever Virtual Solo Competition for North American residents was an overwhelming success—130 competitors, ages 25 and under, throughout the US and Canada submitted applications. (International interest extended even beyond North America!) It was a huge endeavor in this short month—but a labor of love—demanding two rounds, several panels of judges, and much deliberation. Just 27 competitors could advance to the finals, with 8 in the running for the special Arizona Prize.

We would first like to especially thank our esteemed panels of internationally-renowned judges, whose ears and tireless efforts (particularly in this new virtual setting) should be duly recognized:

SEMI-FINALISTS PANELS

Junior Division:

Dr. Ann Burritt Nagell
Dr. Mary Pendleton-Hoffer

Senior Division:

Dr. Stuart Foster
Dr. Janice Meyer Thompson

Aspiring Professional Division:

Ms. Snezana Krstic
Dr. Jessica J. Yam

FINALS PANEL

All Divisions:

Ms. Pavlina Dokovska, Mannes School of Music
Mr. Robert Hamilton, Arizona State University
Mr. Eugene Pridonoff, Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (Emeritus)

Through generous sponsorship from an impromptu anonymous donor, API is pleased to announce not one—but two—special Arizona Prizes to outstanding Arizonan natives, fulfilling the final jury’s strong desire to award two recipients, as they deemed their level of playing quite high. The judges were thoroughly impressed by all the contestants’ overall level of musicianship, which merited more recognition in each category as announced below.

JUNIOR DIVISION

First Prize: Ella Cho, student of Jenny Shin
Second Prize: Jonathan Doh, student of Jenny Shin
Third Prize: Taige Wang, student of Ariel Yang
Honorable Mention: Justin Kang, student of Snezana Krstic & Jessica Yam
Honorable Mention: Akilan Sankaran, student of Lawrence Blind

Junior Finalists:

Minna Fu, student of Claire Chen
Roger Guo, student of John McCarthy
Fayfay Sheng, student of Tian Tian

SENIOR DIVISION

First Prize: Adrian Zaragoza, student of Richard Cionco & John McCarthy
Second Prize: Jeslyn Cai, student of Karlyn Brett & Peter Mack
Third Prize: Alice Zhang, student of Lois Finlay & Peter Mack
Honorable Mention: Nancy Zheng, student of Kai Chi Zhu
Honorable Mention: Ziyue Zeng, student of Chia-lin Yang

Senior Finalists:

Asuka Firdaus, student of Snezana Krstic
Riley Kong, student of John McCarthy
Alvin Wang, student of Young Yoo
Benjamin Wien, student of Marija Ilic
Jonathan Zheng, student of Peter Mack

ASPIRING PROFESSIONAL DIVISION

First Prize: Zhiqiao Zhang, student of Wha Kyung Byun
Second Prize: Adrian King, student of Peter Mack
Third Prize: John Solari, student of Baruch Meir
Honorable Mention: Le Binh Anh Nguyen, student of Evelyne Brancart
Honorable Mention: Chindanai Nukulvutthiopas, student of Thomas Rosenkranz

Aspiring Professional Finalists:

Sharon Hui, student of Mandarin Cheung-Yueh
Noah Lovold, student of Craig Richey
Alexander Matula, student of Elias-Axel Pettersson
Benjamin Randall, student of Jennifer Hayghe

ARIZONA PRIZE RECIPIENTS

Daniel Kang, student of Snezana Krstic & Jessica Yam
Justin Kang, student of Snezana Krstic & Jessica Yam

Arizona Prize Finalists:

Asuka Firdaus, student of Snezana Krstic
Sharon Hui, student of Mandarin Cheung-Yueh
Yuna Kang, student of Snezana Krstic & Jessica Yam
Hannah Lui, student of Ji-Young Kim
Caden Potter, student of Olga Gorelik
Tianwei Zhao, student of Qingqing Ye

To all the parents, teachers, and students: your hard work and dedication, notwithstanding the results, should be honorably recognized. API and the jury believe in your success and send utmost encouragement for continued pursuit of artistic development. We hope this competition provided more opportunities for all young pianists.

Stay tuned for more news on our winners recitals series to be announced at a later date.

Thanks to all who showed interest in our virtual competition. We hope to see you at another event soon.

Congratulations to all competitors!

Elias-Axel Pettersson, D. Mus.
Competition Chairman

Jessica J. Yam, DMA
Artistic Director