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• Ages 6-10 as of September 1, 2025
• Two memorized pieces:
  1. One work must be written by a composer from the Classical period (can also be written by a contemporary pedagogy composer in the Classical style).Ìý
  2. One work/movement by another composer in a contrasting style
• Maximum audition time will be 7 minutesÌý

• Ages 11-14 as of September 1, 2025
• Two memorized pieces:
  1. One movement from a sonata or sonatina written by a composer from the Classical style period.Ìý
  2. One work/movement from another historical style period
• Maximum audition time will be 10 minutes.

• Ages 15-18 as of September 1, 2025
• Two memorized pieces:
  1. One movement from a sonata or sonatina written by a composer from the Classical style period.Ìý
  2. One work/movement from another historical style period
• Maximum audition time will be 15 minutes.

This special award is given to a deserving participant in each age division who performs a work by an under-appreciated composer of color as part of their 2 required repertoire selections. The composer may be black, indigenous, or a person of color (all non-white people) from any style period and country.

In the unlikely event the adjudicators determine that no performance is prize-worthy, the award will be withheld.

Prize: Young Pianists – $25, JuniorÌý–Ìý$50, SeniorÌý–Ìý$50

Resources:

: database with levels
: piano music by black composers
- 6 graded levels
– piano pieces by black composers

• First Place Winner: $75
• Second Place Winner: $35
• Diversity in Music Award: $25
• Honorable Mentions awarded at judges' discretion

• First Place Winner: $200
• Second Place Winner: $75
• Diversity in Music Award: $50
• Honorable Mentions awarded at judges' discretion

• First Place Winner: $200
• $3,000 ҹɫÊÓƵ Piano Scholarship awarded upon application and acceptance into the ҹɫÊÓƵ School of Music
• Invitation to present a senior recital in Wilmot Recital Hall, scheduled during the winner's senior year of high school and subject to hall availability
• Second Place Winner: $75
• Diversity in Music Award: $50
• Honorable Mentions awarded at judges' discretion

The Awards Ceremony and Winner's Recital will be held on the day of the competition at 4:30 p.m. in Beston Hall, Glazer Music Performance Center

Young Pianist Division
Dr. Beverly Smoker
Dr. Yi-Wen Chang

Junior Division
Dr. Gary Fisher
Dr. E-Na Song

Senior Division
Signe Zale
Dr. Sarah Rhee

Featured Composer:ÌýThe Baroque Style

Young Pianist Division

1st Prize -ÌýAlex Chang, Pittsford, NY, student of Elier Suarez
2nd Prize -ÌýNoah Lee-Dank, Fairport, NY, student of Sarah Rhee
Honorable Mention -ÌýHui Zhao, Pittsford, NY, student of Elier Suarez
Honorable Mention -ÌýAlan Wu, Pittsford, NY), studentÌýof Elier Suarez
Honorable Mention -ÌýWinston Chen, Pittsford, NY, student of Brian Preston
Honorable Mention -ÌýElnora Budnack, Grand Island, NY, student of Rasa Stalygiene

1st Prize - Jasmine Wu, Pittsford, NY, student of Elier SuarezÌý
2nd Prize -ÌýCharlotte Anderson, Fairport, NY, student of Elier Suarez
Honorable Mention - Ella Yu, Pittsford, NY, student ofÌýBrian PrestonÌý
Honorable Mention -ÌýHanwen Li, Pittsford, NY, student of Elier Suarez
Honorable Mention -ÌýHelena Lu, Pittsford, NY, student of Tamari Gurevich
Honorable Mention -ÌýEdwin Xu, Pittsford, NY, student of Elier Suarez

Senior Division

1st Prize -ÌýMilo Anderson, Fairport, NY), student of Elier Suarez
2nd Prize -ÌýDoga Vanwesenbeeck, Amherst, NY, student of Karen Schmid
Honorable Mention -ÌýTimothy Pang, Jericho, NY, student of Veselin Ninov
Honorable Mention -ÌýLindsey Shen, Pittsford, NY, student of Tamari Gurevich
Honorable Mention -ÌýDavid Yang, Rochester, NY, student of Elier Suarez
Honorable Mention -ÌýWeijun Wang, Pittsford, NY, student of Alla Kuznetsov

Judges
Young Pianist: Dr. Beverly Smoker,ÌýDr. Yi-Wen Chang
Junior Division: , Dr. E-Na Song,ÌýDr. Gary Fisher
Senior Division:ÌýDr. Sarah Rhee,ÌýSigne Zale

Featured Composer:ÌýCharacter Pieces of the 19th Century

Young Pianist Division

1st Prize -ÌýBryant Li, Williamsville, NY, student of Violeta Arakelova
2nd Prize -ÌýAlex Chang, Pittsford, NY, student of Elier Suarez
Diversity in Music Award - David Wu, Pittsford, NY, student of Jacob Ertl
Honorable Mention -ÌýOliver Kulshrestha (Pittsford, NY), student of Bonnie Choi
Honorable Mention -ÌýAlan Wu (Pittsford, NY), studentÌýof Elier Suarez
Honorable Mention - Abigail Budnack (Grand Island, NY), student of Rasa Stalygiene

1st Prize -ÌýMax Thiele, Pittsford, NY, student of Kym Schifino
2nd Prize -ÌýWenzhang Vazquez, Buffalo, NY, student of Violeta Arakelova
Honorable Mention - Jasmine Wu, Pittsford, NY, student of Elier SuarezÌý
Honorable Mention - Thea Costanzo, Hemlock, NY, student of Brian Preston
Honorable Mention - Kevin Zang, Manlius, NY, student of Scott Cuellar

Senior Division
1st Prize -ÌýDavid Fu, Delmar, NY, student of Julian Martin
2nd Prize -ÌýNathaniel Shuhan, Ithaca, NY, student of Andrea Merrill
Diversity in Music Award -ÌýNathaniel Shuhan, Ithaca, NY, student of Andrea Merrill
Honorable Mention - Shaila Man, Pittsford, NY, student of Brian Preston
Honorable Mention - Alexander WuÌý, Pittsord, Rochester, NY, student of Elier Suarez
Honorable Mention -ÌýDavid Yang, Rochester, NY, student of Elier Suarez
Honorable Mention -ÌýLogan Canfield, Penfield, NY, student of Elier SuarezÌý

Judges
Young Pianist: Dr. Kevin Nitsch,ÌýDr. E-Na Song
Junior Division: Dr. Sarah Rhee-Tirre, Dr. Beverly Smoker
Senior Division:ÌýDr. Gary Fisher,ÌýDr. Yi-Wen Chang

Featured Composer: Haydn

Young Pianist Division

1st Prize -ÌýFrank Luo,ÌýSyosset, NY,Ìýstudent of Zhiye Lin
2nd Prize - Vivienne Liu,ÌýBuffalo, NY, student ofÌýMary Handley
Honorable Mention -ÌýOliver Santora,ÌýBuffalo, NY, student ofÌýMary Handley
Honorable Mention - Alex Chang, Rochester, NY, student of Elier Suarez
Honorable Mention - Abigail Budnack, Grand Island, NY, student ofÌýRasa Stalygiene
Honorable Mention - Elnora Budnack, Grand Island, NY, student ofÌýRasa StalygieneÌý

1st Prize -ÌýWeijun Wang, Pittsford, NY, student ofÌýAlla Kuznetsov
2nd Prize -ÌýLindsey Shen, Pittsford, NY, student of Tamari Gurevich
Honorable Mention -ÌýCharlotteÌýAnderson, Fairport, NY, student of Elier Suarez
Honorable Mention - Advik Anand, Rochester, NY, student ofÌýGary Kong
Honorable Mention -ÌýHanwen Li, Pittsford, NY, student of Elier Suarez
Honorable Mention - Milo Anderson, Fairport, NY, student of Elier Suarez

Senior Division
1st Prize - ÌýEmma Wu,ÌýBuffalo, NY, student ofÌýShirley Chan
2nd Prize -ÌýJulian Chumacero, Victor, NY, student of Elier Suarez
Honorable Mention - Allison Fan, Rochester, NY, student ofÌýBonnie Choi
Honorable Mention - Gabe Foster, Rochester, NY, student ofÌýSally Forgensi
Honorable Mention - Sophia Damico, Victor, NY, student ofÌýBonnie Choi

Judges
Young Pianist: Dr. Gary Fisher,ÌýDr. Yi-Wen Chang
Junior Division: Dr. Sarah Rhee-Tirre, Dr. Kevin Nitsch
Senior Division: Dr. Asami Hagiwara, Dr. Beverly Smoker

Featured Composer: Women Composers

Young Pianist Division
1st Prize - Haolin Jin, Buffalo, NY, student ofÌýVioleta Arakelova
2nd Prize - Hanwen Li, Rochester, NY, student of Elier Suarez
Honorable Mention - Oliver Santora,ÌýBuffalo, NY, student ofÌýMary Handley
Honorable Mention - Charlotte Anderson, Fairport, NY, student of Elier Suarez
Honorable Mention - Jiaxi Gao, Buffalo, NY, student ofÌýAkina Yura Stalygiene
Honorable Mention - Thea Costanzo, Pittsford, NY, student of Brian Preston

Junior Division
1st Prize - Emily Yu,ÌýPittsford, NY, student of Brian Preston
2nd Prize - Shaila Man, Pittsford, NY, student of Brian Preston
Honorable Mention - Lindsey Shen, Pittsford, NY, student of Tamari Gurevich
Honorable Mention - Surya Man, Pittsford, NY, student of Brian Preston
Honorable Mention - Weijun Wang, Pittsford, NY, student ofÌýAlla Kuznetsov
Honorable Mention - Milo Anderson, Fairport, NY, student of Elier Suarez

Senior Division
1st Prize - Rebecca Lee,ÌýPittsford, NY, student of Jacob Ertl
2nd Prize -ÌýAmy Feng, Pittsford, NY, student of Elier Suarez
Honorable Mention -ÌýMadeleine Wang,Ìýstudent ofÌýPeter Vinograde
Honorable Mention - Paul Di Folco, student ofÌýRussell Posegate

Judges

Young Pianist: Dr. Asami Hagiwara, Dr. Sarah Rhee-Tirre
Junior Division:ÌýDr. Gary Fisher, Dr. Beverly Smoker
Senior Division: Dr. Yi-Wen Chang, Dr. Gary Palmer

Featured Composer: Beethoven and his Contemporaries

Young Pianist Division
1st Prize - Rinchen Posel, Saugerties, NY, student of Janara Khassenova
2nd Prize - Oliver Santora, Kenmore, NY, student of Mary Handley
Honorable Mention - Tianying Tang, Beijing, China, student of Miao Tian
Honorable Mention - Charlotte Anderson, Fairport, NY, student of Elier Suarez
Honorable Mention - Abigail Budnack, Grand Island, NY, student of Rasa Stalygiene
Honorable Mention - Emma Yu, Pittsford, NY, student of Brian Preston

Junior Division
1st Prize - Jiatong Gao, Clifton Park, NY, student of Young Kim
2nd Prize - Shaila Man, Pittsford, NY, student of Brian Preston
Honorable Mention - Lindsey Shen, Pittsford, NY, student of Tamari Gurevich
Honorable Mention - Maureen Zhang, Pittsford, NY, student of Brian Preston
Honorable Mention - William Deinzer, Amherst, NY, student of Steven Bianchi
Honorable Mention - Milo Anderson, Fairport, NY, student of Elier Suarez

Senior Division
1st Prize - Elizabeth Zhang, Andover, MA, student of Alexander Korsantia
2nd Prize - Natalie Chow, Livingston, NJ, student of Beatrice Long
Honorable Mention - Amy Feng, Pittsford, NY, student of Elier Suarez
Honorable Mention - Giorgi Kharchilava, Getzville, NY, student of Rasa Stalygiene
Honorable Mention - Madeleine Wang, Ithaca, NY, student of Golda Tatz
Honorable Mention - Kaelem Michel, Fayetteville, NY, student of Natela Mchedlishvili

Judges
Young Pianist: Dr. Gary Fisher, Dr. Beverly Smoker
Junior Division: Dr. Asami Hagiwara, Nicholas Susi
Senior Division: Dr. Albert Kim Dr. Paul Sanchez

Young Pianist Division
1st Prize - Lindsey Shen, Rochester, NY, student of Tamari Gurevich
2nd Prize - Wenzhang Vazquez, Buffalo, NY, student of Violeta ArakelovaÌý
Honorable Mention - Charlotte Anderson, Rochester,ÌýNY, student ofÌý Elier Suarez

Junior Division
1st Prize - Rebecca Lee, Rochester,ÌýNY, student ofÌýJacob Ertl
2nd Prize - Emily Yu, Rochester,ÌýNY, student of Brian Preston
Honorable Mention - Julian Chumacero, Farmington,ÌýNY, student ofÌýElier Suarez
Honorable Mention - Weijun Wang, Rochester,ÌýNY, student ofÌý Alla Kuznetsov
Honorable Mention - Matthew Barry, Rochester,ÌýNY, student of Howard Spindler
Honorable Mention - Milo Anderson, Rochester,ÌýNY, student of Elier Suarez

Senior Division
1st Prize - Maxwell Sun, Rochester,ÌýNY, student of Elier Suarez
2nd Prize - David Munechika, Rochester,ÌýNY, student ofÌýGary Fisher
Honorable Mention - David Su, Buffalo, NY, student of Violeta ArakelovaÌý
Honorable Mention - Katherine Yun,ÌýBuffalo, NY, student of Mary Handley
Honorable Mention - Giorgi Kharchilava, Buffalo, NY, student of Rasa Stalygiene

Featured Composer: Chopin and his Legacy

Elementary/Young Pianists Division

• First Prize: Weijun Wang, Rochester, NY,Ìýstudent ofÌýAllaÌýKuznetsov
• Second Prize: Emily Yu, Rochester, NY, student of Brian Preston
• Honorable Mention:
• Lauryn Lee, Rochester, NY, student of SeikoÌýYokoyama
• Emily Martin, Rochester, NY, student of Alla Kuznetsov
• Annie Sun, Rochester, NY,Ìýstudent ofÌýBonnie Choi
• Tristan Zhang, Rochester, NY, student of Janet Koets

JuniorÌýDivision

• First Prize:ÌýMaxwell Sun, Rochester, NY, student ofÌýElier Suarez
• Second Prize: Christopher Shen,ÌýRochester, NY,Ìýstudent ofÌýTamari Gurevich
• Honorable Mention:
• Jeffrey Xue, Rochester, NY, student of Brian Preston
• Rebecca Lee, Rochester, NY, student of Jacob Ertl
• Margaret Bauman, Rochester, NY,Ìýstudent ofÌýTamari Gurevich
• Madeleine Wang, Ithaca, NY, student of Deborah Martin

SeniorÌýDivision

• First Prize:ÌýJonathan Indajang,ÌýAlbany, NY,Ìýstudent of Young Kim
• Second Prize:ÌýRobert Graziano, Rochester, NY,Ìýstudent ofÌýHassan Al-Mufti
• Honorable Mention:
• Debosir Ghosh, NY, student ofÌýMaryÌýHandley
• David Munechika, Rochester, NY, student of Gary Fisher
• Lillian Kahng, Buffalo, NY,Ìýstudent ofÌýMary Handley

Featured Composer: Music after 1917

Junior Division

• First Prize:ÌýCeline Wang, Buffalo, NY,Ìýstudent ofÌýVioleta Arakelova
• Second Prize:ÌýMargaret Bauman, Rochester, NY, student ofÌýTamari Gurevich
• Honorable Mention:
• Felix Huang, Rochester, NY, student ofÌýBonnie Choi
• Maxwell Sun, Rochester, NY, student ofÌýElier Suarez
• Clara Thiele, Rochester, NY,Ìýstudent ofÌýKym Schifino

SeniorÌýDivision

• First Prize:ÌýRaymond Feng,ÌýRochester, NY,Ìýstudent of Elier Suarez
• Second Prize:ÌýDavid Munechika, Rochester, NY,Ìýstudent ofÌýGary Fisher
• Honorable Mention:
• Edelia Liitvak, NY, student ofÌýUbaldoÌýDiaz-Acosta
• Michael Samodurov, NY, student of Natalya Hennings

JuniorÌýDivision

• First Prize:ÌýAmy Feng,ÌýRochester, NY,Ìýstudent of Elier Suarez
• Second Prize:ÌýThomas Xue, Rochester, NY, student of Brian Preston
• Honorable Mention:
• Kaelem Michel, Syracuse, NY, student of Patricia DeAngelis
• Clara Thiele, Rochester, NY,Ìýstudent of Kym Schifino
• Serena Yang, Rochester, NY, student of Bonnie Choi
• Celine Wang, Buffalo, NY, student of Violeta Arakelova

SeniorÌýDivision

• First Prize:ÌýJimmy Berger, Buffalo, NY,Ìýstudent of Rasa Stalygiene
• Second Prize:ÌýYulia Yang, Rochester, NY,Ìýstudent of Tamari GurevichÌý
• Honorable Mention:Ìý
• Elizabeth Schoewerer, New Paltz, NY, student of Valentina Shatalova
• Joshua McKinnis, Syracuse, NY,Ìýstudent of Patricia DeAngelis
• Robert Graziano, Buffalo, NY,Ìýstudent of Hassan Al-Mufti

JuniorÌýDivision

• First Prize: Sabrina Yu, Rochester, NY, student ofÌýElier Suarez
• Second Prize:ÌýFelix Huang, Rochester, NY, student ofÌýBonnie Choi
• Honorable Mention:ÌýFidel Cai,ÌýRochester, NY,Ìýstudent of Joseph Irrea

SeniorÌýDivision

• First Prize: Vivian Yu,ÌýRochester, NY, student ofÌýElier Suarez
• Second Prize: Grace Lineham, Rochester, NY, student ofÌýTamari Gurevich Hill

JuniorÌýDivision

• First Prize: Sherrie Wang, Buffalo, NY, student of Violeta Arakelova
• Second Prize: ,ÌýClifton Park, NY, student ofÌýYoung Kim
• Honorable Mention:
• Jeana Chun, Poughkeepsie, NY, student of Ruthanne Schempf
• Tina Wen, Rochester, NY, student of Elier Suarez
• Sabrina Yu, Rochester, NY, student of Elier Suarez

SeniorÌýDivision

• First Prize: , Ithaca, NY, student of Trudy Borden
• Second Prize: Rachel Sohn, Clifton Park, NY, student ofÌýYoung Kim
• Honorable Mention:Ìý
• Karen Cao, Troy, MI, student of Faye Mao
• Nicole Franki, Rochester, NY, student of Sarah Rhee-Tirre
• Mia Gorczyca, Rochester, NY, student of Bonnie Choi
• Demi Yang, Troy, MI, student ofÌýFaye Mao

Junior Category

• First Prize: Rachel Sohn, Albany, NY, student of Young Kim
• Second Prize: Lauren Kim, Rochester, NY, student of Bonnie Choi
• Honorable Mention:
• Tina Wen, Rochester, NY, student of Elier Suarez
• Muxing Zhao, Rochester, NY, student of Elier Suarez

Senior Category

• First Prize: Stuart Burtner, Rochester, NY, student of Bonnie Choi
• Second Prize: Mia Gorcyzca, Rochester, NY, Ìýstudent of Bonnie Choi
• Honorable Mention:Ìý
• Vivian Yu, Rochester, NY, student of Elier Suarez
• Nicole Franki, Rochester, NY, student of Sarah Rhee-Tirre

Featured Composer: J.S. Bach

Junior Category

• First Prize:Ìý,ÌýRochester, NY,Ìýstudent of Elier Suarez
• Second Prize:ÌýRachel Sohn,ÌýClifton Park, NY, student of Young Kim
• Honorable Mention:
• Daniel Yang, Rochester, NY, student of Gary Kong
• Vivian Yu,ÌýRochester, NY,Ìýstudent of Elier Suarez
• Margaret Zhang, Rochester, NY,Ìýstudent of Alla Kuznetsov
• Muxing Zhao, Rochester, NY, student of Elier Suarez

Senior Category

• First Prize:Ìý, Rochester, NY, student of Harriet Zimmerman
• Second Prize:ÌýStuart Burtner, Rochester, NY, student of Bonnie Choi
• Honorable Mention:ÌýMia Gorcyzca, Rochester, NY, student of Bonnie Choi