The 2023 Cleveland International Piano Competition for Young Artists has finalized its participants. This upcoming event, scheduled for July 13 and 15, will showcase six talented piano players hailing from Asia, Europe, and North America.
The competition is divided into two divisions: junior (ages 11-15) and senior (ages 15-18). Among the junior finalists are Qinyaoyao Ji (13) from China, Elisey Mysin (12) from Russia, and Zhonghua Wei (14) from China. In the senior division, the finalists are Yanyan Bao (16) from China, Ryan Wang (15) from Canada, and Saehyun Kim (16) from South Korea. These six exceptional musicians were chosen by a distinguished panel of judges from a pool of 32 semifinalists after their initial performances held at various locations worldwide from June 22 to July 2.
To prepare for their final-round performances, the contestants will have the privilege of collaborating with conductor Steven Byess and the Canton Symphony Orchestra, as well as working with professional chamber musicians from the Cleveland Orchestra and faculty members at the Cleveland International Piano Institute. Additionally, they will be presenting free community concerts at the University of Akron on July 6, Tri-C Metro Campus on July 7, and Temple-Tifereth Israel on July 8.
The competition commences on July 13, with the finalists commencing their journey by performing classic piano chamber trios alongside members of the Cleveland Orchestra at Mixon Hall in the Cleveland Institute of Music. The week culminates on July 15, when the contestants will showcase their finest concertos with the Canton Symphony Orchestra at Gartner Auditorium in the Cleveland Museum of Art. At the end of the evening, prizes for first, second, and third place, as well as several special awards, will be bestowed upon the winners.
Tickets for each round can be purchased for $25 ($10 for students). For more information about the free community concerts or to make a purchase, please visit the pianocleveland.org website.
The Cleveland International Piano Competition will mark its 50th anniversary next year with an exciting new format.
