IIYM Student Achievements

Charlie Albright, recent winner of the Young Concert Artists auditions and the Gilmore Young Artist award, gave his New York debut recital at Merkin Recital Hall. The New York Times said, “Mr. Albright sailed through Chopin’s Opus 25 Études with a jaw-dropping technique, his hands blurring over the keyboard in No. 10, “Octaves,” and making easy work of the thirds in No. 6. Virtuosity meshed with a distinctive musicality throughout.” Click here to read the full review. Click here to view video of Charlie performing. Charlie won first prize in the 2005 IIYM International Piano Competition.

Kevin Ahfat and Min Joo Yi won top prizes at the 5th Bosendorfer/Schimmel USASU International Piano Competition. Kevin took home the Silver Medal and Min Joo won the Bronze Medal. Min Joo explains, “The highlights of attending the competition for me were to be able to watch the finalists of the other divisions, particularly the Bosendorfer competition, and being able to perform in the winners concert at the Mesa Art Center. The Mesa Art Center has a large and beautiful hall, and it was a great experience to bond with fellow pianists backstage as well as to perform in such a great venue.” Kevin tells a funny story about an encounter with the jury. “After the semi-finals, my family and I went to a restaurant for dinner and about halfway through the jury came in and sat at the table next to us. We weren't supposed to interact with the jury until the end of the competition so it was incredibly awkward because I didn't want to offend them in any way! I even spilled my drink over the table at the end and they were probably laughing at me... But overall the competition was great anyways! Click here to hear Kevin perform Ravel Ondine from Gaspard de la Nuit. Click here to hear Min Joo perform Chopin Etude Op 10 No 4.

Naomi Causby was named a Steinway Young Artist. She is one of only 25 youngpianists in the entire world to receive this honor. According to Steinway & Sons, “At piano competitions, music festivals and concerts, young pianists often express their desire to become Steinway Artists, to join the celebrated community of today's most acclaimed pianists. ... This program, "Young Steinway Artist", confers upon a select group of talented musicians the distinction of affiliation with the Steinway Artist family, and access to the worldwide resources of Steinway & Sons.” Click here to view videos of Naomi performing.

Hilda Huang has had a very busy year. In March 2010, she was awarded the top prize in the 7th International J.S. Bach Competition in Wurzburg, Germany. She became the first American and the youngest prize winner in 20 years’ history of the competition. Past April, Hilda was invited to conduct the professional San Francisco Chamber Orchestra in a family concert. Past May, Hilda performed in Symphony Space in New York as part of the world premiere of Michael Lawrence’s documentary film ‘Bach & Friends’. She was the youngest musician featured in the documentary along with Joshua Bell, Hillary Hahn, the Emerson String Quartet, Bach scholar Christoph Wolff and composer Philip Glass. In the current season, Hilda performed as concerto soloist with Philharmonic Baroque Orchestra under the baton of Nicolas McGegan and also with Peninsula and Fremont Symphonies. Hilda has been invited to conduct the San Francisco Bach Choir along with its Baroque Orchestra, and will be the youngest person to have conducted these ensembles. As first prize winner of the Bradshaw and Buono international Piano competition, she has performed in Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall the past two seasons. Click here to see and hear Hilda on bigthink.com.