International Online Winners’ Recital
Ages 15 & Up
Download the Recital Program
Competition Winners
Ages 15 - 18
ABBY REED
JURY DISTINCTION AWARD
Abby Reed is a 16-year-old violinist who has been studying violin since the age of 4. She studies at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music as a Myra Jackson Blair Honors Scholar with Dr. Christina McGann. Currently she is 1st violin in Vanderbilt's Curb Youth Symphony and has been concertmaster and co-concertmaster in multiple youth and honors orchestras. Abby has performed at Carnegie Hall as a soloist and concertmaster for the Honors Performance Series. In addition to being an avid and dedicated chamber musician, Abby is an exceptional soloist. She has performed most recently in masterclasses for Ilya Kaler, Paul Kantor, Violaine Melancon, Blair Milton, Steven Miahky, Zoya Leybin, & Shu-Zheng Yang.
JASON ZHANG
BRONZE AWARD WINNER
Jason Zhang is a sophomore at Skyline High School in Sammamish, Washington. He began playing piano at the age of 6 and is currently studying with Yiling Huang. Other than piano, Jason also plays violin and studies with Karin Islip. In his free time, Jason enjoys running, biking outside, and hanging out with his friends.
TARA ZHONG
HONORABLE MENTION
Tara Zhong is a sophomore at Roosevelt High School in Seattle. She has been studying the piano since age 6, currently under the tutelage of Dr. Li-Cheng Hung. Tara used to be the piano accompanist at school choir. Besides piano, Tara also plays cello and studies with Ms. Janice Lee; she also enjoys singing, and has been coached by Dr. Liz Frazer. Currently she is a member of Seattle Youth Opera project.
Adult Amateur Division
BRUCE LETO JR.
SILVER ENSEMBLE & BRONZE SOLOIST WINNER
As a prize-winner in scholastic (Dora Khyatt); Collegiate (Bi-Co Concerto Competition); and national (West Chester National Piano Competition) piano adjudications - Bruce's music tenure has enabled him to perform in PA, NJ, FL, NY, and Italy. During his collegiate years, Bruce's piano study under Linda de Pasquale and Curtis Cacioppo led to acceptance at the Chautauqua Music Festival and the Orfeo International Music Festival - where he studied in 2011.
Bruce's playing has been described as "kaleidoscopic," "refined," "intelligent," and "highly skilled" by piano department chairs of music schools, critically-acclaimed international pianists, and Navona-affiliated composers. He has been featured in masterclasses with concert artists such as: Steven Mayer, Riccardo Piacentini, Veda Zuponcic, and Leon Bates!
"[In Seasonal Sonorities] Bruce demonstrates an impressive ability to interpret music from different eras, from romantic to impressionist, to 21st century." - David Carpenter, Composer (Navona Records).
"Played with great care and sensitivity...Bruce Leto is an intelligent and highly-skilled musician." - Charles Abramovic, Department Chair Piano Studies (Temple University).
RACHEL GOLDSTEIN
SILVER ENSEMBLE WINNER
EMILY McENROE
BRONZE AWARD WINNER
I am a full time IT professional working at LAX, married to my college sweetheart, and have two elementary age boys. I used to played piano when I was younger but lost touch and got busy with life. I met Ms. Danielle two years ago as my boys piano teacher, she inspires me and made me fall in love with piano! Competition experience counts and I'll do the BEST!!! Thanks for reading my bio!
JAPHIA GAN
HONORABLE MENTION
Japhia Gan from Penang, Malaysia; Baroque music has always been my favourite. I have been playing the piano for 10 years. Last year I completed ABRSM Grade 8; currently I am preparing for DipABRSM diploma.
Professional Division
YEJI KIM
JURY DISTINCTION AWARD
Studied Bachelor in Seoul, moved to Germany. Started to study with Prof. Adam Kostecki in Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media in Hanover, Studied Orchestra in Cologne University of Music and Dance in Köln, Now studying Artist Diploma(Konzertexamen) with Prof.Anne Shih in Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. Worked internship in Göttinger Symphonie Orchester, Bochumer Symphoniker, Temporary Employee in Hamburger Symphoniker. Now working in Düsseldorfer Symphoniker/Deutsche Oper am Rhein(Temporary Contract).
1st Prize winner of Padova International Competition, Don Vincenzo Vitti International Competition, Terra degli Imperiali International Competition in Italy, International Music Competition “Brussels” Grand Prize Virtuoso in Belgium,
Music Education Newspaper Competition, Strad Competition, Seoul National Symphony Orchestra Competiton in Korea.
Solo debut with Seoul National Symphony Orchestra, Korea Philharmonic Orchestra, Madri Chamber Orchestra, Kyoungsangbook-do Provincial Orchestra, Mainzer Virtuosi.
Invited to Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival in Germany, Aspen Music Festival as Fellowship in Colorado. Also awarded “Terra Gabora” Prize for best Performance Casalmaggiore Music Festival this summer.
DANIELLE YI
JURY DISTINCTION AWARD
Los Angeles based pianist Danielle Yi is an active performer and educator that has appeared in concert venues across the country and abroad. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at CSULB, graduating as a Cole Scholar and Distinguished Graduate Honoree and received her Master of Music degree from USC's Thornton School of Music. She has won many notable awards and continues to be an active performer in the greater Los Angeles area. Currently, Danielle holds a full private teaching studio in the South Bay, where she has been teaching for over 13 years. Danielle hopes to continue growing as a musician to one day become a university professor, combining her love for performing and teaching to share with others.
PABLO MENÉNDEZ MARTÍNEZ
GOLD AWARD WINNER
Pablo Menéndez was born in 1992, in Spain. He got his Bachelor and Master degrees with Maestros Marco Socías and Carlo Marchione, being awarded 'cum laude' in 2006.
He has been awarded in several international competitions. He has also been a member of the Spanish Young National Orchestra. As a soloist, Pablo has given concerts all around Europe during the last few years. Nowadays he is a Eurostrings artist, and on October 2020 he will make his debut in the prestigious Musikverein of Vienna.
JENNIFER ROIG FRANCOLI
GOLD AWARD WINNER
Jennifer Roig-Francolí is the Creator of The Art of Freedom® method for musical living and masterful artistry and a certified Alexander Technique teacher. Jennifer has won numerous competitions, been featured in TIME Magazine, performed as soloist with orchestras such as the Pittsburgh and Berlin Symphony Orchestras, and was on the faculty of the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She has served as Associate Concertmaster of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra and the Grammy-Award winning ensemble Apollo’s Fire.
AMALIA DIAZ & CAMILO ORTIZ
SILVER ENSEMBLE WINNERS
Originally from Colombia, Amalia and Camilo met in California while developing music education programs for children in need. As a duo they have been actively performing during the last eight years in different venues. Their choice of repertoire walks the complexity of classical music and the vast richness of world music, with unique pieces that feel new and exciting to the listener. Amalia and Camilo’s musical chemistry goes beyond the latin flavor from their background; every performance is charged with technical accuracy, expressivity, and an incredible passion and love for their music.
XINSHUANG JIN
SILVER AWARD WINNER
A native of China, Xinshuang Jin is an active soloist, accompanist, and chamber musician in both Asia and United States. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Music in Piano Performance at Florida State University. She won scholarships, grants, and prizes in various competitions including FSU X. Annual Competition, TMTA Collegiate Piano Solo Competition, TMTA Collegiate Piano Ensemble, and “Young Masters” of the II Future Stars International Piano Competition.