2025 COMPETITION SEMI FINALISTS: CONCERTO DIVISION

City/Country: Arvada, Colorado, USA
Age: 16
Performing: Gershwin, Rhapsody in Blue

Jeffrey Dai is a dedicated young musician who has achieved impressive milestones in his musical journey. Currently a tenth-grade student at Fairview High School in Boulder, Colorado, Jeffrey's love for music has led him to many successes. In November 2024, Jeffrey performed at Carnegie Hall, New York, after earning third place at the International Music Competition. This performance marked a significant achievement in his career and highlighted his dedication to piano. Jeffrey has also earned gold medal awards in various piano competitions including Global Melodies Awards, Schmitt Music Piano Competition as well as Yamaha Piano Competition. These achievements demonstrate his consistent effort and passion for the piano. Jeffrey has studied with Mrs. Ling Yu McLoughlin since age seven. Under her guidance, he has developed strong technical skills and musical expression. Jeffrey enjoys sharing his music through performances and competitions. His dedication to improving his skills continues to guide him as he pursues his passion for music.

City/Country: Parker, Colorado, USA
Age: 15
Performing: Tchaikovsky, Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23

Raditya Muljadi, an 11th grader at Chesterton Academy, studies piano with Jasmine Steadman and Larry Graham. An accomplished young pianist, he has won top prizes at international competitions including the Cleveland International Piano Institute Competition, Steinway, Carmel, and Liszt Competition, and was a semi-finalist at the Singapore International Piano Competition and Kaufman International. At nine years old, Raditya gave his first solo recital in Indonesia and has since performed as a soloist with the National Repertory Orchestra and Broomfield Symphony Orchestra. He has played at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall (as a Lang Lang Foundation scholar), Red Rocks Amphitheater, and Beijing’s Great Wall, where he was named a Cultural Ambassador. Raditya recently attended the Aspen Music Festival under Dr. Yoheved Kaplinsky and is a board member of Musicians United for Change. He holds scholarships from the Chopin Foundation of America and YoungArts.

City/Country: Palm Springs, California, USA
Age: 17
Performing: Rachmaninov, Concerto No.2 in C minor, Op.18

Katerina Sommers currently studies classical piano as a rising senior at Idyllwild Arts Academy with Dr. Jeanette Louis Yaryan. Katerina has been very much fascinated with classical music and the piano from a young age. She has made her first musical steps with the help of her grandfather who taught and inspired her until she started taking piano lessons with Galina Popova at the age of five. Later, she started studying professionally under Anastasiya Poff. She is a prizewinner of nine international piano competitions including the Idyllwild Arts Concerto Competition. In addition to her studies, she is the president of Idyllwild's Music Performance Club where music students do outreach concerts for fundraisers, nursing homes, hospitals, and schools; she is also vice president of the Opera Club. Katerina has played as a soloist with the Idyllwild Arts Academy Orchestra and the Miami Chamber Orchestra with a single concerto movement. She debuted with a full concerto with the Idyllwild Arts Academy in April 2025. Alongside piano, her hobbies include Rubik's Cube, going on walks, and cooking.

City/Country: Allen, Texas, USA
Age: 12
Performing: Mendelssohn, Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25

Semifinalist in Solo Level A and Junior Young Artist Complete Concerto Divisions.

Jenna Tran, a seventh grader at Murphy Middle School, is the grand prize winner of the 2024 Collin County Young Artist Competition for the Plano Symphony Orchestra. She also earned first prize in the Junior Division at the 2024 Lewisville Vernell Gregg Young Artist Competition and followed up with second prize in 2025. In addition to her accomplishments on the piano, Jenna is also a talented violinist, and is first chair in her school’s Chamber Orchestra. She has been selected to perform in All-Region 25 for two consecutive years, in 2024 and 2025. Jenna is proud to call North Texas home and loves the opportunity to perform live for her community.

City/Country: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Age: 12
Performing: Haydn, Piano Concerto No. 11 in D Major, Hob. XVIII/11

Semifinalist in Solo Level B and Junior Young Artist Complete Concerto Divisions.

Fengtian Wang, studies piano with Charlotte Hu. She is a winner of the 2024 Philadelphia International Piano Competition. She obtained First Honorable Mention in the 2025 West Chester University Pre-Collegiate National piano competition. In 2023, she was admitted to the Manhattan School of Music pre-college as an award winner of the Rochlis Family Foundation Scholarship. She began studying piano at age four with her mother. She has won countless awards and is frequently invited to concerts, such as the Shanghai Open Competition, Mendelssohn International Piano Competition, Pearl River-Caesarburg International Piano Competition, Xinghai National Elite Competition, Huaxia International Piano Open Competition, and so on.

City/Country: Lafayette, Colorado, USA
Age: 12
Performing: George Gershwin, Rhapsody in Blue 

Chloe Yan began her musical journey at age five under the guidance of Ms. Ling Mcloughlin. With a deep passion for piano, she particularly admires Beethoven’s works. Since her competition debut in 2021, Chloe has earned multiple awards, including second place in Schmitt Music’s Competitive Division I (2021) and first place in Classic Pianos’ Advanced Division II (2023). She most recently secured second place in the same division (2025). A highlight of her young career was performing in a six-hand piano trio at Carnegie Hall during the 2022 American Protege Talent Competition. Dedicated to her craft, Chloe continues to grow as a promising young musician.

City/Country: Boulder, Colorado, USA
Age: 25
Performing: Liszt,  Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, S. 124

Kyle Dacon is from the Dallas, Texas area. He completed his Bachelor of Music at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, before moving back to Dallas to obtain his Master of Music at Southern Methodist University, where he graduated in May 2024. Kyle has participated in various music festivals across the world, including the Gijón International Music Festival. He is currently pursuing a D.M.A. at CU Boulder, studying under Dr. Jennifer Hayghe. Aside from piano, Kyle is a devoted choral musician and has toured with choirs across the U.S. as both an accompanist and singer. Kyle is also a member of CU Boulder’s MTNA chapter and a passionate teacher and instructor. Kyle’s biggest influences are his mother and his former teachers, including Beverly Panasik, Dr. Rosalie Levant, Dr. Christopher Atzinger, Dr. Theresa Bogard, and Dr. Cathy Lysinger. 

City/Country: Bloomington, Indiana, USA
Age: 23
Performing: George Gershwin, Piano Concerto in F Major

Tarje Grover is an emerging pianist in the classical music scene. A native of Powell, Wyoming, he attended the University of Wyoming where he graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in piano performance studying with Dr. Theresa Bogard. He then attended the Jacobs School of Music, where he received his Master of Music, studying with Jean Louis Haguenauer. Grover currently is an artist in the Performance Diploma program, studying with Professor Haguenauer. As a soloist, Grover has competed and performed in various competitions across the country, most recently winning the Wyoming Symphony Young Artist Concerto Competition, as well as Silver Medal/Level C at the International Keyboard Odyssiad® & Festival, U.S.A. He has also participated in international festivals in both the U.S and Italy, as both a soloist and as a collaborative pianist.

City/Country: South Miami, Florida, USA / South Korea
Age: 30
Performing: Rachmaninov, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini in A minor, Op. 43

Semifinalist in Solo Level C and Professional Young Artist Complete Concerto Divisions.

Acclaimed by Australian author and classical musician Michael Moran for her “crystalline tone and refined touch,” South Korean pianist Da Jin Kim stands among the most sensitive and expressive musicians of her generation. Her artistry has been recognized with awards at prestigious competitions, including the XII Darmstadt International Chopin Piano Competition in Germany and the 50th Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition in the United States. Kim holds a Doctor of Musical Arts and Master’s degrees from the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, where she studied under the guidance of Naoko Takao, Kevin Kenner, and Santiago Rodriguez, receiving full scholarships. She graduated summa cum laude from Seoul National University with a Bachelor’s degree, where she studied with Hee Sung Joo. Beyond the stage, Kim is a dedicated pedagogue, having served as a teaching assistant at Frost and currently nurturing young talent through the Frost Preparatory Program.

City/Country: San Dimas, California, USA
Age: 27
Performing: Mozart, Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K. 488

Praised as a “pianist with strong technique” (Miami Classical Review), Kevin Knowles is a passionate musician and educator. He has appeared as a soloist with the Colburn Chamber Orchestra, Seraphim Symphony, and Spokane Symphony at venues such as the Redlands Bowl, Friedberg Concert Hall, Linehan Concert Hall, and Carnegie Hall. He was the first prize winner of the Walter Knabe International Piano Competition and Redlands Bowl Young Artist International Competition as well as a laureate in the Los Angeles International Liszt Competition. Highlights of his collaborative endeavors include playing chamber music with esteemed performers such as Soprano Jeanette Thompson and Violist Jodi Levitz. In addition, Knowles has taught collegiate level group piano courses, and coordinates an undergraduate pedagogy seminar. He is a teaching assistant for the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami where he is also pursuing a D.M.A. 

City/Country: Chicago, Illinois, USA / Russia
Age: 33
Performing: Rachmaninov, Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18

Boris Krivoshein, born in Russia, is completing an Artist Diploma in Piano Performance at DePaul University (Chicago), studying with Marta Aznavoorian. A laureate of international competitions, he won first prizes at the Bartolomeo Cristofori Competition (St. Petersburg), Romanticism Competition (Moscow), and Gold Medal at the Young Classical Virtuosos of Tomorrow (Philadelphia). He earned the Grand Prix at the Cyprus International Competition (2020) and recently won the XV Chopin International Competition (Hartford, 2024) and DePaul Concerto Competition (2025). His performances include the Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory, Kimmel Center, and festivals in the Netherlands. Trained at Gnesins Russian Academy of Music and Novosibirsk Conservatory, he actively performs as a soloist and collaborative pianist in the U.S. and Russia.

City/Country: Los Angeles, California, USA / South Korea
Age: 31
Performing: Liszt, Totentanz, S.126

Soo Ji Lee, an internationally acclaimed pianist, has won top prizes at competitions including the Seoul International Piano Competition, Diablo Symphony Orchestra’s Young Artist Competition, and New York Laureate International Music Competition. Recognized for her virtuosity and musicality, she has performed at prestigious venues like Berliner Philharmonie and appeared as a soloist, chamber musician, and masterclass artist across the U.S., Canada, and South Korea. Lee holds a B.M. in Piano Performance (Cleveland Institute of Music) under Antonio Pompa-Baldi and a master’s and Graduate Performance Diploma from Peabody Conservatory. She is pursuing a D.M.A. at the Cleveland Institute of Music under Kathryn Brown. A laureate of numerous competitions, including the Rocky Mountain Piano Competition and Franz Liszt Center International, she continues to captivate audiences with her dynamic artistry.

City/Country: New York, USA / Russia
Age: 22
Performing: Brahms, Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 83

Semifinalist in Solo Level C and Professional Young Artist Complete Concerto Divisions.

Daria Podorozhnova is a Russian pianist pursuing her bachelor's degree at Manhattan School of Music in New York, where she studies with Alexandre Moutouzkine. She is a recipient of the prestigious Harold and Helene Schonberg Pianist Scholarship. Born in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Daria began studying piano at the Special Music School affiliated with the Rostov State Conservatory. She trained under Inna Serebryanskaya and later with the renowned professor Sergei Osipenko. Daria has received international recognition through numerous competitions. Recent highlights include sixth prize at the 69th Maria Canals International Competition in Barcelona and first prize at the 2025 Ann & Charles Eisemann Young Artist Competition in Dallas, leading to a solo performance with Richardson Symphony Orchestra. In February 2025, she was named a winner of Eisenberg-Fried Concerto Competition and will perform Brahms's Piano Concerto No. 2 with Manhattan School of Music Symphony Orchestra in the 2025-2026 season.

City/Country: Forest Hills, New York, USA / China
Age: 28
Performing: Rachmaninov, Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18

Semifinalist in Solo Level C and Professional Young Artist Complete Concerto Divisions.

Praised as “especially impressive” and “a thoughtful, sensitive performer” who “balanced lyrical warmth and crisp clarity” (Tommasini–The New York Times), pianist Zhu Wang was awarded first prize in the 2020 Young Concert Artists Susan Wadsworth International Auditions, Gold Medalist at 2024 New Orleans International Piano Competition. Zhu was one of the finalists in the 2019 Clara Haskil International Piano Competition, and one of the prizewinners of 2024 Cleveland International Piano Competition. The world-renowned pianist Fou Ts’ong recognized Zhu as an “excellent pianist with a natural sense of harmony and imagination,” whose sensitive and engaging performances exhibit a remarkable depth of musicianship and poise beyond his age. A native of Hunan Province, China, Zhu started learning piano at the age of five following his grandfather’s love of music. He graduated from Curtis Institute of Music and The Juilliard School and received Gina Bachauer Scholarship, Mieczyslaw Munz Scholarship, and Mehlin Prize. Zhu is pursuing his Master of Music degree at Juilliard, under the tutelage of Emanuel Ax and Robert McDonald. He gratefully acknowledges the support of the Bagby Foundation for the Musical Arts. Zhu currently lives in New York City with his wife Chloe and their beloved two cats, Chaz and Tùzi. 

City/Country: New York, USA / China
Age: 25
Performing: Liszt, Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, S. 124

Semifinalist in Solo (Level C) and Professional Young Artist Complete Concerto Divisions.

Xiaoru Wen is a Chinese pianist who received the first prize at the DEBUT International Piano Competition in New Jersey and was awarded a solo piano recital at Carnegie Hall in 2014. Since 2013, she has signed the contract with Chinese Poly Grand Theater and performed in recitals arranged by this music business company, based in Beijing, including concert tours throughout China. She has played 40 recitals in the last few years. In addition, Xiaoru won the first prize in the Rosario Marciano International Piano Competition in Vienna in 2012. She is pursuing her D.M.A. at the Manhattan School of Music. She has been a student of Marc Silverman since 2021 as a graduate student at the Manhattan School of Music; as an undergraduate, she studied with André-Michael Schub (2017-2021).

City/Country: Dallas, Texas, USA / China
Age: 26
Performing: Rachmaninoff, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini in A minor, Op. 43

Semifinalist in Solo (Level C) and Professional Young Artist Complete Concerto Divisions.

Driven by a profound belief in the healing power of music, Chuanyi Xiang aims to use her piano playing to alleviate suffering from life, and to bring hope to people's lives. Described by Yoheved Kaplinsky as, “a sincere, emotionally communicative performer, who makes every note meaningful." Chuanyi has showcased her exceptional talent across continents, collaborating with orchestras such as the China Philharmonic Orchestra and China Academia Orchestra, with conductors such as En Shao, Peter Burwic, and Yi Huang. Recent highlights include captivating recitals at important venues like Paul Hall at The Juilliard School, Benedict Music Tent at the Aspen Summer Festival, and Klavierhaus in New York City. Born in China into a musical family, Chuanyi received her Bachelor of Music from the China Conservatory in Beijing, studying under Hong Fu and Ruoyu Huang, and her Master of Music at The Juilliard School, studying under Yoheved Kaplinsky and Jerome Lowenthal. She will be studying at SMU Meadows School of Arts with Sergei Babayan in Fall 2025.

City/Country: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA / China
Age: 26
Performing: Rachmaninov, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini in A minor, Op. 43

Semifinalist in Solo Level C and Professional Young Artist Complete Concerto Divisions.

Born in Wenzhou, Chinese pianist Liming Yang has been consistently acclaimed for his passionate and sensitive interpretations, marked by deep emotional expression. After making his concerto debut at the age of thirteen, Yang continued his professional studies in Shanghai, where he won numerous competitions and received multiple music scholarships. He has performed at notable venues such as the Wenzhou Grand Theater and He Luting Concert Hall at the Shanghai Conservatory. Yang studied with Kathryn Brown at the Cleveland Institute of Music and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree on a full scholarship at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), under the guidance of Dror Biran. He was recently invited to participate in Pianofest in the Hamptons, where he studied with renowned pianists Paul Schenly and Jerome Lowenthal.

City/Country: Sugar Land, Texas, USA
Age: 24
Performing: Liszt, Piano Concerto No. 2 in A Major, S. 125

Nathaniel Zhang is pursuing a master’s in Piano Performance at the University of Missouri–Kansas City under Sean Chen. He holds a B.M. in Piano Performance from Eastman School of Music and a B.S. in Neuroscience from the University of Rochester. A Houston native, he began piano at age six and has won top prizes in competitions like the UMKC Conservatory Concerto Competition, Chicago International Music Competition, and Ronald Sachs International Competition. An active performer, Nathaniel works as a freelance collaborative pianist and previously served as a church pianist and graduate assistant at Eastman. He also founded Music of Harmony, a nonprofit organizing over 120 community performances. Outside music, he enjoys pickleball and Legos.