Winners
2022 FSMTA Competitive Events Winners (Photos & bios found below the listing of winners)
Junior Strings Concerto:
Intermediate Strings Concerto
Senior Strings Concerto
Junior Piano Concerto
Intermediate Piano Concerto
Senior Piano Concerto
Pre-College Chamber Music Competition
String Senior Competition
Byrd Memorial Pre-College Piano Ensemble Competition
Byrd Memorial Collegiate Piano Ensemble Competition
Gray Perry Young Collegiate Piano Competition
The King Music Education Scholarship Winner
The FSMTA Community Service Awards:
Junior Strings Concerto:
- 1st: Emma Pooler (District 1), Student of Leonid Yanovskiy
- 2nd: Alli Tseng (District 5), Student of Chih-Jung Hsu
- HM: Ivan Kalashnykov (District 6), Student of Leana Strouse
Intermediate Strings Concerto
- 1st: Simone Seely (District 3), Student of Janna Lower
- 2nd: Raveena Cherry (District 6), Student of Huifang Chen
- HM: Amelie Heine (District 9), Student of Jessica Calandra
- HM: Nicholas Shikano (District 5), Student of Chi-Jung Hsu
Senior Strings Concerto
- 1st: Bailey Bryant (District 5), Student of Chih-Jung Hsu
- 2nd: David Xiao (District 6), Student of Huifang Chen
- HM: Sam Cohen (District 3), Student of Jena Lower
Junior Piano Concerto
- 1st: YoYo Qu (District 4), Student of Peggy Edwards
- 2nd: Christina Koyama (District 6), Student of Irena Kofman
- HM: Encheng Zhang (District 5), Student of Yun Ling
Intermediate Piano Concerto
- 1st: Vincent Pham (District 9), Student of Rebecca Penneys
- 2nd: Benjamin Chen (District 6), Student of Maria Gomez
- HM: Connie Huang (District 5), Student of Zalina Gurevich
- HM: Walter Goncalves (District 1), Student of Pitagoras Goncalves
Senior Piano Concerto
- 1st: Matthew Phan (District 4), Student of Peggy Edwards
- 2nd: McKayla Ro (District 3), Student of Heejung Kang
- HM: Nathan Wu (District 5), Student of Zalina Gurevich
Pre-College Chamber Music Competition
- 1st: Iris Duo - Max Griffin and Isaac Lopez (District 2), Coached by Brian Griffin
- 2nd: Seltzer Strings - Quinn French, Isaac A Savin, Ava Hirko, Simone Seely (District 3), Coached by Julia Seltzer
String Senior Competition
- 1st: Lauren Juntunen (District 5), Student of Ayako Yonetani
- 2nd: Alexa Tierney (District 3), Student of Nellie Eshleman
Byrd Memorial Pre-College Piano Ensemble Competition
- 1st: McKayla Ro and Nicholas Dang (District 3), Students of Heejung Kang
- 2nd: Issac Dorio and Chris Sochor (District 7), Students of Michael Baron
Byrd Memorial Collegiate Piano Ensemble Competition
- 1st: Arturo Fernandez and Jair Zacarias (District 7), Students of Michael Baron
- 2nd: Esther Kim and Zachary Verzwyvelt (District 3), Students of Heejung Kang
Gray Perry Young Collegiate Piano Competition
- 1st: Yance Zheng, Student of Roberta Rust
- 2nd: Elisabeth Thomashoff, Student of Roberta Rust
- 2nd: Shuqi Yang, Student of Roberta Rust
- HM: Jasmin Abdunazarova, student of Roberta Rust and Marco Polo, student of Michael Baron
The King Music Education Scholarship Winner
- Stephanie Archer (FSU, student of Dr. Diana Dumlavwalla).
The FSMTA Community Service Awards:
- FSMTA Community Service Award for 12th Graders Winner – Abigail Shaw (District 3), Student of Kama Rasmussen-Li
- Local and District Presidents Community Service Award for Ninth Graders Winner – Sarah Park (District 2), Student of Sonja Foster
Photos & Bios of Winners
*** The 2022 Community Service Awards for 9th and 12th Graders winners:
Abigail Shaw
12th Grade – Abigail Shaw (District 3), Student of Kama Rasmussen-Li
Abigail Shaw is residing in Northern Florida and is studying piano
with Kama Rasmussen-Li and violin with Anne Falik. As a child,
she played piano in the local nursing homes two Saturdays a
month. Her first job was at a local Methodist Church on Sundays
as their pianist and Director of Music. In 2019, she dedicated the
summer to working with a non-profit mission. While there, she
played for a church for two weekends as they had no pianist,
helped a music teacher at a school, and also shared some singing
with other individuals to bring joy to those in the community.
Most recently, she has found a love for conducting and arranging choral music. Abigail
became the first chair violinist at a local community orchestra and enjoys performing with
them. She helped her violin teacher with workshops, the FSMTA State Conference, and
accompanying on piano for various events.
Abigail Shaw is residing in Northern Florida and is studying piano
with Kama Rasmussen-Li and violin with Anne Falik. As a child,
she played piano in the local nursing homes two Saturdays a
month. Her first job was at a local Methodist Church on Sundays
as their pianist and Director of Music. In 2019, she dedicated the
summer to working with a non-profit mission. While there, she
played for a church for two weekends as they had no pianist,
helped a music teacher at a school, and also shared some singing
with other individuals to bring joy to those in the community.
Most recently, she has found a love for conducting and arranging choral music. Abigail
became the first chair violinist at a local community orchestra and enjoys performing with
them. She helped her violin teacher with workshops, the FSMTA State Conference, and
accompanying on piano for various events.
Sarah Park
9th Grade – Sarah Park (District 4), Student of Sonja Foster
Sarah Park, 14, is the Concertmaster of Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra Philharmonic, and the 2021 America’s Top Young Scientist by developing Spark Care +, the music therapy device that aims to use the healing power of music to help with mental health. Sarah believes in the power of music and shares her musical talent with the community including but not limited to school, church, nursing homes, hospitals, and wherever music is needed. She is a freshman at Bolles School in Jacksonville, FL. Sarah debuted at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY, in 2018 with her violin for the winner's recital at the age of 10. Sarah has won numerous competitions in both violin and piano at the Regional, State and International levels, including the Florida Federation of Music Clubs (FFMC), Florida State Music Teachers Association (FSMTA), Prima Volta Music Competition, the American Protégé, Camerata International Music Competition, Sejong Cultural Music Competition, The Korean American Scholarship Foundation 1st Music Competition, and New York Young Virtuoso Competition. She was nominated twice as the Irene Muir in 2019 for the extremely gifted young musicians from the FFMC judges. Sarah is named as the top 10 finalists in Hilton Head Youth Concerto Competition in 2022. Outside of music, Sarah is an active member of the Robotics Team and Math team in her school. She won 1st place in Northeast Chapter in Florida state at the MathCounts Invitational Competition. Sarah created the Pratt library collection for Women in STEM with the monetary award she received from Florence Nightingale Student Video Competition in STEM.
Sarah Park, 14, is the Concertmaster of Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra Philharmonic, and the 2021 America’s Top Young Scientist by developing Spark Care +, the music therapy device that aims to use the healing power of music to help with mental health. Sarah believes in the power of music and shares her musical talent with the community including but not limited to school, church, nursing homes, hospitals, and wherever music is needed. She is a freshman at Bolles School in Jacksonville, FL. Sarah debuted at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY, in 2018 with her violin for the winner's recital at the age of 10. Sarah has won numerous competitions in both violin and piano at the Regional, State and International levels, including the Florida Federation of Music Clubs (FFMC), Florida State Music Teachers Association (FSMTA), Prima Volta Music Competition, the American Protégé, Camerata International Music Competition, Sejong Cultural Music Competition, The Korean American Scholarship Foundation 1st Music Competition, and New York Young Virtuoso Competition. She was nominated twice as the Irene Muir in 2019 for the extremely gifted young musicians from the FFMC judges. Sarah is named as the top 10 finalists in Hilton Head Youth Concerto Competition in 2022. Outside of music, Sarah is an active member of the Robotics Team and Math team in her school. She won 1st place in Northeast Chapter in Florida state at the MathCounts Invitational Competition. Sarah created the Pratt library collection for Women in STEM with the monetary award she received from Florence Nightingale Student Video Competition in STEM.
*** 1st Prize winners of the State Concerto Competition:
EmmaPooler
Junior Strings - Emma Pooler (District 1), Student of Leonid Yanovskiy
Emma is a 5th grade student from Gulf Point Latin School, where she earns the Highest grade/Honor(A/A+). She has been playing violin since the age of five, when she received her first violin for her birthday. She loves many different type of music and loves to sing and dance. She has been studying under Dr. Yanovskiy for three years where she has grown in her sound of strings. She serves as Praise Team violinist at First Baptist Church, Navarre, Florida. She loves to play soccer and her black Schnauzer named "Max" loves to sings whenever she practices her violin. For the past three years she has been invited to play in the UWF Summer String Fest. Emma was a finalist in the 2021 John Leatherwood Concerto Competition, Jr. Division. And she win the 1st place on 2022 PMTA Sonata Contest on Level 6.
Emma is a 5th grade student from Gulf Point Latin School, where she earns the Highest grade/Honor(A/A+). She has been playing violin since the age of five, when she received her first violin for her birthday. She loves many different type of music and loves to sing and dance. She has been studying under Dr. Yanovskiy for three years where she has grown in her sound of strings. She serves as Praise Team violinist at First Baptist Church, Navarre, Florida. She loves to play soccer and her black Schnauzer named "Max" loves to sings whenever she practices her violin. For the past three years she has been invited to play in the UWF Summer String Fest. Emma was a finalist in the 2021 John Leatherwood Concerto Competition, Jr. Division. And she win the 1st place on 2022 PMTA Sonata Contest on Level 6.
Simone Seely
Intermediate Strings - Simone Seely (District 3), Student of Janna Lower
High-schooler Simone Seely started her violin journey at the age of five and has since received multiple awards and has performed at several different venues -including making an appearance on TEDx with her brother on cello. In addition to winning the Florida State Fiddle Contest three times, she has also placed 1st in both the solo and duet categories at the Sacred Music Competition four years running. She recently won first place at the Dorothy Reaves String Competition by the Foundation for the Promotion of Music and was also voted "Crowd Favorite" for the National On-Line Fiddle Contest. She has received multiple state titles from the Florida Federation of Music Clubs in concerto, solo, duet, trio, quartet, and orchestral divisions. Additional accolades include the top prize at the Landmark Park, Long-Leaf Pine, & N.E. Florida Scottish Games fiddle contests. Simone has been involved with the Alachua County Youth Orchestra for the past 6 years and loves to play chamber music with her friends. She participated in both the Chamber Music Festival and Gator Chamber Music Institute held at the University of Florida. In her free time, Simone takes care of her cat and dogs & volunteers in the "Creativity Lab" at a local science museum.
High-schooler Simone Seely started her violin journey at the age of five and has since received multiple awards and has performed at several different venues -including making an appearance on TEDx with her brother on cello. In addition to winning the Florida State Fiddle Contest three times, she has also placed 1st in both the solo and duet categories at the Sacred Music Competition four years running. She recently won first place at the Dorothy Reaves String Competition by the Foundation for the Promotion of Music and was also voted "Crowd Favorite" for the National On-Line Fiddle Contest. She has received multiple state titles from the Florida Federation of Music Clubs in concerto, solo, duet, trio, quartet, and orchestral divisions. Additional accolades include the top prize at the Landmark Park, Long-Leaf Pine, & N.E. Florida Scottish Games fiddle contests. Simone has been involved with the Alachua County Youth Orchestra for the past 6 years and loves to play chamber music with her friends. She participated in both the Chamber Music Festival and Gator Chamber Music Institute held at the University of Florida. In her free time, Simone takes care of her cat and dogs & volunteers in the "Creativity Lab" at a local science museum.
Bailey Bryant
Senior Strings - Bailey Bryant (District 5), Student of Chih-Jung Hsu
Bailey Bryant, age 17, began his violin journey at age 11. He was inspired upon hearing the sound of a violin in a theme song of one of his favorite shows. While largely self-taught, he’s enjoyed participating in his middle school orchestra with Mr. Vincent Conrod and Mrs. Jennifer Haber, and his high school orchestra with Mrs. Stacy Conkling and Ms. Diana Tang. He studied privately with Dr. Lev Gurevich in 2018-2020 and studied with Mrs. Rimma Bergeron-Langlois in 2021, and now Bailey studies with Dr. Agnes Hsu. He also wishes to acknowledge Hilary Hahn, from whom he has learned so much through watching her performances. Bailey joined Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras for the 2019-2020 Season as Concertmaster of the Philharmonia Orchestra. He is now a proud member of FSYO’s Symphonic Orchestra. Bailey would like to thank FSYO for the wonderful experience he’s had so far and for the precious performances that won’t easily be forgotten, and he would like to thank Dr. Agnes for introducing the opportunity that is this FSMTA competition, and for all that he has learned from Dr. Agnes on the way. He is very excited for the opportunity to participate in this Competition.
Bailey Bryant, age 17, began his violin journey at age 11. He was inspired upon hearing the sound of a violin in a theme song of one of his favorite shows. While largely self-taught, he’s enjoyed participating in his middle school orchestra with Mr. Vincent Conrod and Mrs. Jennifer Haber, and his high school orchestra with Mrs. Stacy Conkling and Ms. Diana Tang. He studied privately with Dr. Lev Gurevich in 2018-2020 and studied with Mrs. Rimma Bergeron-Langlois in 2021, and now Bailey studies with Dr. Agnes Hsu. He also wishes to acknowledge Hilary Hahn, from whom he has learned so much through watching her performances. Bailey joined Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras for the 2019-2020 Season as Concertmaster of the Philharmonia Orchestra. He is now a proud member of FSYO’s Symphonic Orchestra. Bailey would like to thank FSYO for the wonderful experience he’s had so far and for the precious performances that won’t easily be forgotten, and he would like to thank Dr. Agnes for introducing the opportunity that is this FSMTA competition, and for all that he has learned from Dr. Agnes on the way. He is very excited for the opportunity to participate in this Competition.
YoYo Qu
Junior Piano - YoYo Qu (District 4), Student of Peggy Edwards
YoYo Qu is a 12 year old boy attending Alice Landrum Middle School at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. He started playing piano when he was 6 years old in Rochester, Minnesota. His other interests include oboe, tennis, ice hockey, surfing, math competition, and all kinds of outdoor sports.
Intermediate Piano - Vincent Pham (District 9), Student of Rebecca Penneys
YoYo Qu is a 12 year old boy attending Alice Landrum Middle School at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. He started playing piano when he was 6 years old in Rochester, Minnesota. His other interests include oboe, tennis, ice hockey, surfing, math competition, and all kinds of outdoor sports.
Intermediate Piano - Vincent Pham (District 9), Student of Rebecca Penneys
Vincent Pham
Intermediate Piano - Vincent Pham (District 9), Student of Rebecca Penneys
Born in Tampa Florida, Vincent Pham, age 14, attends Walker IB Middle School. He has many passions, but his love for music and playing piano stands out above all. Vincent started piano lessons at the age of four and studied with Vladimir Khokhlov from age 6 to 11. Since 2019, he studies piano with Rebecca Penneys and has begun theory lessons with Matthew Kennedy. At a very early age, Vincent took part in many festivals, competitions, master classes, and received many awards. His achievements include first place at Florida Federation of Music Clubs Concerto Competition in 2017, 2018, 2019; FFMC Solo in 2016, 2019, FFMC Duet in 2018, and FFMC Duo in 2018, 2019. He also won the Florida State Music Teachers Association District Concerto Competition in 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021. He was the 1st place winner of the final FSMTA Concerto Competition in 2019. The state competition was cancelled in 2020 and he advanced to state competition in 2021 with Tchaikovsky Concerto No.1 . He also received second place in American Protégé Competition in 2016, first place in 2017, and first place with Judge Distinction Award in 2018. Vincent was among twenty-four finalists chosen to take part in Virginia Waring Piano International Competition. He was nominated for three performances as a candidate and sole winner for his concerto performance for the Irene Muir Award of FFMC among 1500 other competitors of all ages and all disciplines. As a result, Vincent was selected to perform for the National Federation of Music Clubs Convention in 2019. He was also invited to perform at many venues including three times at Carnegie Recital Hall 2016, 2017, and 2018.
Born in Tampa Florida, Vincent Pham, age 14, attends Walker IB Middle School. He has many passions, but his love for music and playing piano stands out above all. Vincent started piano lessons at the age of four and studied with Vladimir Khokhlov from age 6 to 11. Since 2019, he studies piano with Rebecca Penneys and has begun theory lessons with Matthew Kennedy. At a very early age, Vincent took part in many festivals, competitions, master classes, and received many awards. His achievements include first place at Florida Federation of Music Clubs Concerto Competition in 2017, 2018, 2019; FFMC Solo in 2016, 2019, FFMC Duet in 2018, and FFMC Duo in 2018, 2019. He also won the Florida State Music Teachers Association District Concerto Competition in 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021. He was the 1st place winner of the final FSMTA Concerto Competition in 2019. The state competition was cancelled in 2020 and he advanced to state competition in 2021 with Tchaikovsky Concerto No.1 . He also received second place in American Protégé Competition in 2016, first place in 2017, and first place with Judge Distinction Award in 2018. Vincent was among twenty-four finalists chosen to take part in Virginia Waring Piano International Competition. He was nominated for three performances as a candidate and sole winner for his concerto performance for the Irene Muir Award of FFMC among 1500 other competitors of all ages and all disciplines. As a result, Vincent was selected to perform for the National Federation of Music Clubs Convention in 2019. He was also invited to perform at many venues including three times at Carnegie Recital Hall 2016, 2017, and 2018.
Matthew Phan
Senior Piano - Matthew Phan (District 4), Student of Peggy Edwards
Matthew Phan of Jacksonville, Florida, is a sophomore at Bishop Kenny High School. He currently studies with Peggy Edwards, having previously studied with Mary Lou Krosnick. In 2015 and 2016, Matthew was a second place winner in the American Protégé International Piano Competition and twice performed at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in New York City. Matthew has won in the Florida Federation of Music Clubs piano solo and concerto categories from 2015-2019 and first place in the Greater Jacksonville Piano Competition from 2016-2018, and 2021. He is a three time first place winner of Friday Musicale’s Outstanding Young Pianists Competition in the solo, concerto, and ensemble categories and performed in the winners’ concert. In 2017, Matthew won first place in the Florida State Music Teachers Association Junior Piano Concerto Competition. In 2019, he won first place in the Orlando Steinway and Sons Division II Piano Competition. In 2020, Matthew was named First Place winner of Florida’s Music Teachers National Association Junior Piano Performance Competition and the Junior Chopin Prize. Most recently, he was named a recipient of the National Chopin Foundation Scholarship.
At school, Matthew is a First Honors student and a member of the National Spanish Honor Society. He also plays extensively for his school and church. In addition, he is the principal pianist of the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra (JSYO) Philharmonic.
Matthew Phan of Jacksonville, Florida, is a sophomore at Bishop Kenny High School. He currently studies with Peggy Edwards, having previously studied with Mary Lou Krosnick. In 2015 and 2016, Matthew was a second place winner in the American Protégé International Piano Competition and twice performed at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in New York City. Matthew has won in the Florida Federation of Music Clubs piano solo and concerto categories from 2015-2019 and first place in the Greater Jacksonville Piano Competition from 2016-2018, and 2021. He is a three time first place winner of Friday Musicale’s Outstanding Young Pianists Competition in the solo, concerto, and ensemble categories and performed in the winners’ concert. In 2017, Matthew won first place in the Florida State Music Teachers Association Junior Piano Concerto Competition. In 2019, he won first place in the Orlando Steinway and Sons Division II Piano Competition. In 2020, Matthew was named First Place winner of Florida’s Music Teachers National Association Junior Piano Performance Competition and the Junior Chopin Prize. Most recently, he was named a recipient of the National Chopin Foundation Scholarship.
At school, Matthew is a First Honors student and a member of the National Spanish Honor Society. He also plays extensively for his school and church. In addition, he is the principal pianist of the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra (JSYO) Philharmonic.
***Pre-College Chamber Music Competition winners: Iris Duo - Max Griffin and Isaac Lopez (District 2), coached by Brian Griffin
Max Griffin
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Isaac Lopez
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Lauren Juntunen
***String Senior Competition winner: Lauren Juntunen (District 5), Student of Ayako Yonetani
Lauren Juntunen started playing violin at age 6 and is currently studying under Dr. Ayako Yonetani. Recently in 2022, she won 1st prize in the OPUS Music State Competition and Charleston International Romantic Music Competition. She was also selected for the 2022 Florida All-State Orchestra. Last year in 2021, she was placed Honorable Mention in the MTNA State Senior String Competition and 2nd in the FSMTA Concerto Competition (Intermediate Category). She placed 2nd in the Florida’s 2020 MTNA State Junior String Competition. Before moving to Florida, Lauren lived in Japan where she studied for four years under Atsushi Shimizu. In 2019, she was a finalist in the Japan Classic Music Association Competition and she won third place at the Japan Junior Violin Competition.
Lauren Juntunen started playing violin at age 6 and is currently studying under Dr. Ayako Yonetani. Recently in 2022, she won 1st prize in the OPUS Music State Competition and Charleston International Romantic Music Competition. She was also selected for the 2022 Florida All-State Orchestra. Last year in 2021, she was placed Honorable Mention in the MTNA State Senior String Competition and 2nd in the FSMTA Concerto Competition (Intermediate Category). She placed 2nd in the Florida’s 2020 MTNA State Junior String Competition. Before moving to Florida, Lauren lived in Japan where she studied for four years under Atsushi Shimizu. In 2019, she was a finalist in the Japan Classic Music Association Competition and she won third place at the Japan Junior Violin Competition.
McKayla Ro
***Byrd Pre-College Piano Ensemble Competition winners: McKayla Ro and Nicholas Dang (District 3), Students of Heejung Kang
McKayla Ro, 16, is an 11th grader at Buchholz High School in Gainesville, Florida. She has been under the tutelage of Dr. Heejung Kang since 2012. McKayla has won first place at the FPM Sonata/Sonatina Festival in 2013, 2016, and 2018, and won second place in 2021. She has also performed at the winner’s recital at Carnegie Hall for AADGT and American Protégé in 2014 and 2015, earning a silver medal and honorable mention, respectively. In addition, she received an honorable mention at the International Chopin Competition in 2016. Through FFMC, McKayla has won first place with her piano solo in 2013, honorable mention in piano concerto in 2015, first place in piano concerto in 2017, first place in flute solo in 2018, and honorable mention in piano solo in 2019 at the state junior convention. She has won the FSMTA district concerto competition in 2017, 2020, and 2022. McKayla is also an active member of her school’s math and tennis team and enjoys reading and writing.
McKayla Ro, 16, is an 11th grader at Buchholz High School in Gainesville, Florida. She has been under the tutelage of Dr. Heejung Kang since 2012. McKayla has won first place at the FPM Sonata/Sonatina Festival in 2013, 2016, and 2018, and won second place in 2021. She has also performed at the winner’s recital at Carnegie Hall for AADGT and American Protégé in 2014 and 2015, earning a silver medal and honorable mention, respectively. In addition, she received an honorable mention at the International Chopin Competition in 2016. Through FFMC, McKayla has won first place with her piano solo in 2013, honorable mention in piano concerto in 2015, first place in piano concerto in 2017, first place in flute solo in 2018, and honorable mention in piano solo in 2019 at the state junior convention. She has won the FSMTA district concerto competition in 2017, 2020, and 2022. McKayla is also an active member of her school’s math and tennis team and enjoys reading and writing.
Nicholas Dang
Nicholas is a junior at Buchholz High School. He has played piano for ten years. Outside of piano, he is an active member of Buchholz’s successful math team as well as a captain of the burgeoning science team. Nicholas also has played baseball for many years for both his high school and travel teams. In his sparse free time he enjoys reading and eating new foods.
Jair Zacarias
***Byrd Collegiate Piano Ensemble Competition online winners: Arturo Fernandez and Jair Zacarias (District 7), Students of Michael Baron
Jair Zacarias, a 20-year-old pianist was born in Trujillo, Peru. At age 13 he was accepted into the Pre-college Program of the National Conservatory of Music in Lima, Peru. There he studied with Professor Katia Palacios for five years and performed frequently in recitals and festivals in his home country. Jair received a full scholarship to attend Florida Gulf Coast University, where he currently studies with Dr. Michael Baron. Jair has performed in masterclasses for Pavel Nersessian, David Dubal, Michael Shinn, and Paulina Zamora. He is the winner of several competitions, such as the MTNA Young Artist Piano Competition for the State of Florida and prize winner of the Big Arts Scholarship Competition. He received second prize at the Parnassus of the Music International Competition. In 2021 Jair was a finalist in the Stetcher & Horowitz Two-Piano Competition with his duet partner Arturo Fernandez.
Jair Zacarias, a 20-year-old pianist was born in Trujillo, Peru. At age 13 he was accepted into the Pre-college Program of the National Conservatory of Music in Lima, Peru. There he studied with Professor Katia Palacios for five years and performed frequently in recitals and festivals in his home country. Jair received a full scholarship to attend Florida Gulf Coast University, where he currently studies with Dr. Michael Baron. Jair has performed in masterclasses for Pavel Nersessian, David Dubal, Michael Shinn, and Paulina Zamora. He is the winner of several competitions, such as the MTNA Young Artist Piano Competition for the State of Florida and prize winner of the Big Arts Scholarship Competition. He received second prize at the Parnassus of the Music International Competition. In 2021 Jair was a finalist in the Stetcher & Horowitz Two-Piano Competition with his duet partner Arturo Fernandez.
Arturo Fernandez
Arturo Fernandez was born and raised in Trujillo, Peru. He is a Junior piano performance major studying with Dr. Michael Baron at Florida Gulf Coast University. Arturo began his musical life at home at age 4 under the tutelage of his uncle and father, and continued his piano studies over the years with his uncle. At age 6 he performed with the Trujillo Symphony Orchestra. He gave a solo recital at age 11 and was a prize-winner in the “Music Patronage Competition” in Peru. During his remarkable growth while at FGCU he has had the honor of being the winner of the Jillian Prescott Award to perform with the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra. He was also winner of the MTNA Senior Piano Competition for the State of Florida and has been a prizewinner at many other competitions while performing frequently.
Yance Zheng
***Gray Perry Young Collegiate Artist Competition online winner: Yance Zheng, Student of Roberta Rust
Pianist Yance Zheng was born in China in 2002 and performed his first recital at age ten. He is rapidly gaining international recognition as a brilliant young pianist and was awarded first prize at the Hamburg International Competition in Germany (2016) and the Second Institute Cup Piano Competition (2019). Yance also won top prizes at the Twelfth Beijing Xiwang Cup Piano Competition, Thirteenth Xinghai Cup National Competition, the Fourth Silk Road-Sound of Music International Music Festival and the Yamaha Asian Music Scholarship Competition. In 2021 he was selected as a winner of the LYNN Concerto Competition in Boca Raton, Florida. In 2022, he got first place at Florida chapter of NSAL National Annual Awards Competition in Piano and will be representing NSAL Florida in Chicago at the National Piano Competition.
In 2014 he was admitted to the Xi’an Conservatory of Music and studied with Russian pianist Vladimir Zani, Norwegian pianist Jonas Aune, and Malaysian pianist Cijing Yang. He is currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Music program at the Lynn University Conservatory of Music in the piano studio of Roberta Rust.
Pianist Yance Zheng was born in China in 2002 and performed his first recital at age ten. He is rapidly gaining international recognition as a brilliant young pianist and was awarded first prize at the Hamburg International Competition in Germany (2016) and the Second Institute Cup Piano Competition (2019). Yance also won top prizes at the Twelfth Beijing Xiwang Cup Piano Competition, Thirteenth Xinghai Cup National Competition, the Fourth Silk Road-Sound of Music International Music Festival and the Yamaha Asian Music Scholarship Competition. In 2021 he was selected as a winner of the LYNN Concerto Competition in Boca Raton, Florida. In 2022, he got first place at Florida chapter of NSAL National Annual Awards Competition in Piano and will be representing NSAL Florida in Chicago at the National Piano Competition.
In 2014 he was admitted to the Xi’an Conservatory of Music and studied with Russian pianist Vladimir Zani, Norwegian pianist Jonas Aune, and Malaysian pianist Cijing Yang. He is currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Music program at the Lynn University Conservatory of Music in the piano studio of Roberta Rust.