Artists from four continents flew to Katowice to perform at the Winners Concert of the Chopin Avenue International Piano Competition and String Avenue International Competition – Wieniawski Edition in a prestigious NOSPR venue in Katowice, Poland on 29 June 2022.
Program:
1. Caden Chan, 3rd Prize – Piano Solo, group A : F. Chopin, Nocturne No.20, C sharp minor, Op. Posth
2. Mikenzie Leu, 2nd Prize ,Violin Solo, Group A : O. Rieding, Concerto in B minor
3. Yedam Lee, 2nd Prize, Piano Solo, Group D : J.Haydn, Sonata Hob. XVI:50 in C Major 1st movement
4. Mona Kitamura, 2nd Prize, Piano Solo, Group C : F. Chopin, Waltz Op.70-2 and Moszkowski, 16 Esquisses Techniques Op.97 No.10
5. Lennis Hoi Shing Cheng, 2nd Prize, Piano Solo, Group D: F. Chopin, Waltz op. 64, no.1 and B. Bartok, Romanian Folk Dances No.1-6
6. Martin Droppa, 3rd Prize, Piano Solo, Group G : L. V. Beethoven, Bagatelle op. 119, No. 3, 4, 5, 6 and F. Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Lieder Ohne Worte op. 67, No. 34
7. Aaliyah Higashimori, 1st Prize, Violin Solo, Group D : W. Potstock, Souvenir de Sarasate
8. Yu-Tung Liang, 3rd Prize, Piano Solo, Group G : H. Dutilleux, Au Gré des Ondes – I, II, III, IV, V, VI
9. Channing Chu, 3rd Prize, Piano Solo, Group L : F. Chopin, Ballade no.2 in F major
10. Azuna Onishi, 1st Prize, Contrabass Solo, Group K : E. Tabacov, Motivy
11. Yumin Cho, 1st Prize, Piano Concert, Group F : F. Chopin, Etude Op.10, No.10 and Piano Sonata B-flat minor,
Op.35, 1st mov
12. Mei Mei Angelina Tan, 3rd Prize, Piano Solo Amateur M-2 Group : F. Chopin, Nocturne Op.9, No.1
13. Wing Kwan Ng, Tan, 3rd Prize, Piano Solo Amateur M-2 Group: F. Chopin, Nocturne Op.27 No.2
BIOs – as updated for this concert in June 2022.
Currently the artists have further advanced in their skills and experience.
Caden Chan
Piano
Caden recently turned six years and is a native of San Francisco, USA. He started learning piano at the age of four with his piano teacher, Ms. Min Chao. Despite his piano learning experience being limited to online classes due to the pandemic, he actively participates in piano recitals and competitions, and was recently awarded first place in the American Protégé International Piano & Strings Competition, the SF International Innovative Music Competition, and American Protégé International Music Talent Competition with the Judges’ Distinction Award.
He was awarded III prize in the Solo category in his age group in the Chopin Avenue International Piano Competition Spring 2022
Mikenzie Leu
Violin
Mikenzie started her violin studies at the tender age of 2. At the age of 3, she had her debut solo performance at Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music. In 2019, she was conferred with the title of Youngest Gold Medalist. Mikenzie was accepted by the Singapore Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts for their Gifted Young Violinist programme. In 2020, Mikenzie won Second Prize in Vienna Virtuoso Competition. In 2021, she was awarded First Prize and Exceptional Young Talent in the International Music Competition, Salzburg Grand Prize Virtuoso and was invited to perform at the Winners’ Concert in Solitär Mozarteum of Salzburg, the birthplace of 18th-century composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
She was awarded Second Prize in String Avenue International Competition – Wieniawski Edition in 2022.
Ye Dam Lee
Piano
Awarded in various competitions including The 50th Teenage Special Award in 2020 (1st Prize out of 1st Prize), The 29th Sung Jeong’s Music Competition Gold Award in 2020, KOREA-ASIA Piano Open Competition CL28 Music World Competition Silver Award in 2019, And in 2018, the Grand Prize at the contest organized by the Joongang Music News, 2019 Korea’s Best Youth Invitation Concert, 2020 Youngsan Foundation Winner Concert, Her talent is recognized through invitational performances at Suwon University in 2021.
She was awarded 1st Prize in Chopin Avenue International Piano Competition Autumn 2020
Currently, she is receiving a more systematic education at the Gifted Institute of Kangnam University.
She was awarded 1st Prize in Chopin Avenue International Piano Competition Autumn 2020
Mona Kitamura
Piano
Mona Kitamura from Japan, is eight years old and started to play piano when she was four. She debuted with a concert at the age of 5 at the lobby of the Hilton Hotel in Osaka. She was awarded numerous prizes in Japan. She won the BRONZE prize of The 23rd International Chopin Piano Competition in Asia Final Round and She is studying under MIYO Honya.
She was awarded Second Prize in Solo Category at the Chopin Avenue International Piano Competition – Spring 2022.
Lennis Cheng
Piano
Born in Hong Kong in 2012 started playing piano at the age of five then admitted to Junior Music Program of Hong Kong Academy for Performance Arts (HKAPA) when he was 8. Lennis was awarded the First Prizes at Hong Kong International Music & Arts Festival 2019, 8th Hong Kong International Youth Performance Arts Festival, 9th Hong Kong International Youth Performing Arts Festival 2021, 14th Asia Pacific Outstanding Youth Piano Competition 2022, Wien International Young Musicians Music Competition of 2021, and Asia Music Competition for Young Artists Busan, Korea.
He received I prize in the Chopin Avenue International Piano Competition Spring 2022 in Solo category in his age group.
Martin Droppa
Piano
Martin Droppa was born the 14th July 2009 in Trutnov, Czech republic. He started playing the piano when he was 6 years old. Since he was nine, he regularly took part in international competitions including Prague Junior Note, Beethovens Teplice, Pro BOHEMIA Ostrava, Antonin Dvorak for Young, Bach Academy Dobrany where he would snatch first, secodn or third prizes. Since 2018 he regularly participated in piano festivals with greatest czech pianists. In 2021 Martin took a Masterclass with recognized Czech pianist Miroslav Sekera. Martin studies playing the piano on Music school in Prague with Mr Pavel Voracek.
Aaliyah Higashimori
Violin
born in 2012 in Japan, studied violin under Ms. Chise Makino, Ms. Mizuki Kato
and Under Prof. Kirill Troussov and piano Under Mr. Tomoya Furuta. Since 2018, Awarded 28 First and Gold Prizes at 24 international music competitions and multiple special awards worldwide. Performed a Solo Recital at the Musikverein in Vienna as a 1st Prize Winner of the the Vienna Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition.
He was awarded I prize in the String Avenue International Competition – Wieniawski Edition in Solo category and Best Performance of Concerto award in his age group in Spring 2022.
Yu Tung Liang
Piano
twelve years old Taiwanese, she started learing to play the piano at the age of four. Her favorite composers include Henri Dutilleux, Frederick Chopin and W. A. Mozart. Yu Tung Participated in the Taiwan National Student Piano Competition, Steinway Youth Piano Competition (Taiwan), Orbetello Piano Competition i 2021- 5th Quebec International Music Competition.
In spring 2022, Yu Tung was awarded III prize in Chopin Avenue International Piano Competition in Solo category in her age group.
Channing Chu
Piano
a New Zealand-born pianist, currently studying piano under Professor Phillip Shovk at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He took piano performance at the University of Auckland where he studied piano under Professor Sarah Watkins as well as Professor Rae De Lisle. He has also studied under Steinway Artist Jason Bae. He was a finalist in the first Aegio International Piano Competition 2021 (awarded ascholarship to the BAMA International Piano Festival) and the Second edition of the Nomea International Piano Competition based in Spain. Awarded Second Prize in the 2021 Paderewski in Memoriam International Piano Competition, the Silver Award in the London Youth Piano Competition.
He was awarded III prize in the Chopin Avenue International Competition Spring 2022 in Solo category in his group.
Azuna Onishi
Double Bass
Born in 2004 in Japan, currently attending Kogakkan high school and plays contrabass at BrassBand Club.
She received her first violin lesson at the age of 3, and first contrabass lessons at the age of 10. She had short term study abroad at Vienna and took violin lesson from Teodora Kasmetska-Sorokow. She has been studying contrabass from Syu Yoshida. Azuna was presented with a number awards at Osaka international music competition, Japan strings competition, Japan classical music competition, String Avenue Competition and more.
Awarded I prize in Solo category in her age group in String Avenue International Competition – Wieniawski Edition Spring 2022
Yumin Cho
Piano
At the New Artist Concert held at Carnegie Hall in New York in February 2019, he was praised as “a performer who captures the public,” “a performer who stands out with attractive sounds and emotions,” “a performer who combines excellent interpretation skills,” and “a performer who knows difficult techniques to control strength.” Awarded 3rd prize in Korea Liszt Competition , 1st prize in Koreatimes Music Competition 2021, the grand prize from Yamasaki 22th Piano Competition 2018, 1st prize from Teenager Piano Competition 2019, 3rd prize from National Newspaper Hansei University Competition 2019, and several first prizes in the highly recognizable international piano competitions.
Awarded 1st prize and Best Performance of Chopin Works Award in the Chopin Avenue International Piano Competition 2020 and 2021
Ng Wing Kwan
Piano - Amateur Category
KK Ng Wing-Kwan, an up-and-rising young pianist from Hong Kong, who started playing piano at the age of six with Jasper Poon and then with Mia Wong and Kannaz Kwok.
Angelina Tan
Piano - Amateur Category
born in Singapore, Angelina MeiMei Tan began learning the piano at the age of 13. In 1994, Angelina has performed in numerous concerts in Singapore, USA and also in Germany. In December 2002, Angelina came to Germany. She has studied in the Dr. Hoch’s Konservatorium and has in December 2008 attained her Masters of Music in Piano Padegogy there. In April 2022.
Angelina was awarded the 3rd prize ex aequo in the International Chopin Ave Piano Competition, in Solo category, group M2. This group is meant for persons actively teaching Piano.
Barbara Pakura
Piano accompaniment
paino teacher and teacher-accompanist. Since 2003 with the M.Karlowicz National Music School of I and II degree in Katowice and F. Chopina Music School Centers I and II degree in Bytom. Graduated from K.Szymanowskie Music Univeristy in Katowice. Barbara studied with profesors including K. Jabłoński, A. Maksimow and W. Świtała and for Chamber music with professors U. Bożek- Musialska and i K. Słobodnik. She aslo received postgraduate diploma in Chamber Piano with prof. M. Szwajger-Kułakowskiej and further participated in multiple piano courses and masterclasses with (among others) prof A.Orłowiecki, W.Wojtala, A. Jasiński, M. Sikorska-Wojtacha, T i B.Eden, M.Drewnowski.
