Congratulations to the young virtuosos at Kaufman Music Center’s Special Music School who have been winning competitions this spring! And kudos to their wonderful teachers and parents who nurture and support young talent. Pictured above: Sophia Shao.
2019 NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION
Ana Isabella Espana (grade 7, violin), Honorable Mention
Serin Park, (grade 9, violin), Finalist
VIVO INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION
Group A:
Melanie Change (grade 3, cello), First Prize
Nickita Zhang (grade 3, violin), Silver
Group B:
Rebecca Beato (grade 7, violin), Gold
Cobie Buckmire, (grade 5, piano), Bronze
Philina Zhang (grade 6, piano), Bronze
Audrey Ang (grade 4 violin), First Prize
Eliot Flowers (grade 5, cello), First Prize
Mayu Kanai (grade 4, piano), First Prize
Group C:
Julia Jones (grade 9, violin), First Prize
22nd NEW YORK MUSIC COMPETITION
Sophia Shao (grade 5, piano), Grand Prize Winner
William Duan (grade 2, piano), Group A Piano, Winner
Mayu Kanai (grade 4, piano), Grade B Piano, Third Place
Philina Zhang (grade 6, piano), Group C Piano, Second Place
Anna Kesselman (grade 6, piano), Group C Piano, Third Place
Andrey Ang (grade 4, violin), Group B Violin, Winner
Nickita Zhang (grade 3, violin), Group B Violin, Second Place
Asher Kalfus (grade 10, cello), Group C Cello, Honorable Mention
INTERNATIONAL GRAND MUSIC COMPETITION
Serin Park (grade 11, violin), Grand Prize Winner
Anna Kesselman (grade 6, piano), Group B Piano, Second Place
Chloe Tseng (grade 3, piano), Group A Piano, Youtube, Second Place
Jonah Kwon (grade 6, violin), Group B Violin, Second Place
Ilaya Levy-Schwartz (grade 4, violinist), Group A Strings, Youtube, First Place
Andraya Levy-Schwartz (grade 4, cellist), Group A Strings, Youtube, Second Place
STEINWAY JUNIOR PIANO COMPETITION
Zen Hung (grade 3, piano), Division Winner
PADEREWSKI INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION
Emma Waite (grade 2, piano), Junior Division, Second Place
MUSIC TEACHERS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION COMPETITION
Julia Jones (grade 9, violin), Third Prize
NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL CONCERT FESTIVAL COMPETITION
Zen Hung (grade 3, piano), Concerto Division, Grand Prix
INTERNATIONAL CHOPIN COMPETITION
Cobie Buckmire (grade 5, piano)
OTHER NEWS
Congratulations to three Kaufman Music Center composers who had their works performed by the New York Philharmonic this spring! Mack Scocca-Ho (SMS grade 6, viola) (read a New York Times review), Ziyi Tao (SMS grade 10, composition) and Ilaria Loisa Hawley (Face the Music).
Isabella Zeichner (SMS grade 3, cello) had a very special visit and cello lesson with Yo-Yo Ma! Isabella’s mother Abby, says: "Meeting with Yo Yo Ma was an experience that Isabella and I will remember forever. He is not only the greatest cellist in the world but one of the most gracious people. We spoke about music, playing the cello, family, fashion, movement and energy. You could hear in his voice how much he enjoyed sharing his knowledge!"
Alumni & Friends
FISCHOFF COMPETITION JUNIOR DIVISION
HaWK, the trio of SMS alumnus Jonah Kernis, placed in the semifinal round.
The Trilogy Trio, including SMS alumni Olivia Pantoga and Lila Holyoke, placed in the semifinal round.
18-year-old violinist Daniel Rafimayeri, former violin teaching assistant at Kaufman Music Center partner Opus 118 Harlem School of Music, was been awarded First prize at the 2019 Stulberg International String Competition.