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Kevin Ahfat, son of Chris and Dorothy Ahfat, is an eleventh grader at Grandview High School in Aurora, CO. Born in Toronto, Canada, he began piano studies at the age of seven. He has won first prizes in the Yamaha-Wells Music Solo Piano (2009), Boulder Philharmonic Young Artists (2009), Steinway & Sons (2009, 2010), and SITV Young Artists Concerto (2009) Competitions and was the state winner at the MTNA competition (2010), finalist at the 2010 IIYM International Piano Competition and Silver Medalist in the 5th Schimmel USASU International Piano Competition. He has appeared on KVOD Colorado Spotlight and KPR at the University of Kansas and played in masterclasses of Andrew Cooperstock, David Korevaar, Fei Xu, Steven Spooner, and Nancy Weems. As first-prize winner in the 2009 Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition, he subsequently performed at Weill Recital Hall; next season he will be performing with the Colorado Symphony. He studies with Dr. Lei Weng.

Francisco Chomnalez, son of Maria Herrera and Pedro Chomnalez, is an eleventh-grader at the Dalton School (NYC) who also attends the Pre-college Division, Manhattan School of Music. Awards include the American Protégé International Piano and Strings (First Prize, 2011 and Second Prize, 2010) and Romantic Music International (First Prize, 2010) Competitions, The Bradshaw and Buono International Piano Competition (First Prize, 2010) and The Thousand Islands International Piano Competition (Second Prize, 2009). He has performed at major venues in the US, Europe and South America, including Carnegie Hall and Merkin Hall, participated in festivals in the US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Ukraine, and frequently performed with orchestra, including performances of Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No. 2 with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine in Kiev and the Orquesta Estable del Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires. He studies with Maria Asteriadou.

William Cox (Billy), the son of David and Jocelyn Cox, is a tenth grader at Georgetown Day School in Chevy Chase, MD. Billy is one of three finalists in the 2011 Maryland Youth Orchestra’s Rachmaninoff piano competition. He has performed several times as the invited pianist for the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, at George Mason University Center for the Performing Arts. He also enjoys composing, playing the guitar and singing in an a cappella group, and has performed as a jazz pianist with his school band at Blues Alley in Washington, DC. He is the student of Dr. Anna Ouspenskaya.

Bolton Ellenberg, the son of Prof. and Mrs. George Ellenberg, is a home-schooled twelfth grader in Pensacola, FL. He began piano studies at age 6 and is currently a dual-enrolled student at the University of West Florida in Pensacola. During the past few years, Bolton has participated in master classes under Panayis Lyras, William Wolfram, Eugene Alcalay, Christopher Harding, Alexandre Dossin, Ivo Kaltchev, Read Gainsford, and Dorian Leljak and has won numerous awards. He performed the first movement of Felix Mendelssohn’s G minor Concerto with the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra in February 2008 and returned in February 2011 to perform Totentanz by Franz Liszt. Both of these performances were made possible by concerto competitions sponsored by the NFSO. A former student of Jana Sutoova and Eileen Cook, he currently studies with Dr. Hedi Salanki-Rubardt.

Luke Ferraguti, son of Mike and Serena Farraguti, is an eleventh grader at Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He has participated and received superior ratings in numerous piano adjudications including those sponsored by the Federated Music Clubs of America, the National Guild, and the Broward County Music Teachers’ Association. He has also placed in several piano competitions, including the Steinway Competition and the highly regarded Pompano Beach Piano Competition. In 2011, he was selected to play in the Chopin Foundation’s Young Pianists Concert. Luke is a member of the Westminster Academy honor choir and also directs its a cappella choir. He also participates in his school’s annual musical productions and plays the piano for the contemporary worship teams at his church and school. During the past nine years, he has studied under Mary Beth Purchase.

Allison Freeman, daughter of John and Debbie Freeman, is an eleventh grader in the high school program at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She began studying piano at age five with Barbara Furr. She is a five-time winner at Old Dominion University's Classical Period Piano Competition, and has participated in master classes with artists such as Bart van Oort, Peter Takacs, and Lambert Orkis. In 2008, she soloed with the Wilmington Symphony Youth Orchestra as the Junior Division winner of the Richard R. Deas Student Concerto Competition. As the High School Division winner of the same competition, she performed with the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra in February 2010. She currently studies with Eric Larsen.

Katherine Melonie Guan, daughter of Li Wang and Bo Guan, is an eighth-grader at Hastings Middle School in Columbus, OH. She began her piano studies in Knoxville, Tennessee at the age of four. In addition to winning the 2007 Elementary Division of the OMTA Graves State Competition, she has also placed first in the Junior High Division of 2010 OMTA Buckeye State Competition at the District and State levels. She consistently scores the highest ratings in the National Piano Guild Auditions each year as well as in numerous other programs and festivals. Most recently, Katherine was awarded Gold Medal in 2011 International Young Musicians Festival and was invited to perform at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. A former student of Fay Adams, she currently studies with Mary Craig Powell.

Vanessa Meiling Haynes, daughter of James and Linda Haynes, is an eighth grader at Shaker Heights Middle School in OH. She was born in Houston TX and began study at age six from China with pianist Lang Lang’s first teacher, Ya Fen Zhu. She has received awards from the Bradshaw & Buono, AADGT’s 2009 Passion for Music and Seattle International Piano Competitions, Burgos (Spain) International Competition, the Second Kawai China National Piano Competition and the 2006 China International Hope Cup, and been accepted at Piano Texas, Perugia Music Fest, and the Burgos, Alexander & Buono, and Val-Tidone Music Festivals. In 2010 she performed with the Bela Bartok Orchestra in Perugia, Abano, Naples, and Val-Tidone, and also at Weill Recital Hall and Merkin Hall (NY) and the Forbidden City Music Hall and Beijing Concert Hall (China). She currently studies under Antonio Pompa-Baldi and Emanula Friscioni in the Cleveland Institute’s Young Artist program.

Aaron Holmes, son of Philip and Carolyn Holmes, is an eighth grader at Clarke Middle School in Athens, GA. In addition to dozens of studio solo and chamber performances, Aaron has participated in numerous local and state auditions, festivals and competitions where he received many top honors. Highlights include winner of the Georgia Music Educator Association Masterclass auditions where he performed for Robert Vandall, second place in the Athens MTA summer study scholarship auditions, Outstanding Performer in all local auditions performances, and second place Awards of Excellence and third place Honorable Mentions at the Georgia MTA state auditions. Aaron enjoys writing and will have an internship with the Athens Banner-Herald Newspaper this summer. He currently studies with Jonathan Klein.

Henry Hsieh, son of Pin-Huang Hsieh and Tai-Li Sun, is a tenth grader at William G. Enloe High School in Raleigh, NC. He started his piano studies at age three with Grace Johnson and then with Brenda Bruce. Henry has received awards from North Carolina Federation of Music Clubs (NCFMC), Raleigh Piano Teacher Association, Cary/Apex Piano Teacher Association, and the Durham Piano Teacher Association. In 2006, he won a prize in the Old Dominion University Classical Period Piano Competition in Norfolk, VA. In 2009, as state winner at the most advanced level in the NCFMC Festival he received the Hinda Honigman Scholarship and Royalty Competition in the Prince Category. In 2010, he performed a recital at Ruggero Piano Auditorium in Raleigh. Henry won the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition in January 2011 and performed with orchestra in May. He currently studies with John Ruggero.

Zachary Hughes, son of David and Melinda Hughes, is a home-schooled twelfth grader who currently resides in Travelers Rest, SC. He has studied the piano for nine years. He was born in San Luis Obispo, CA. He has received prizes from numerous regional and national music competitions, including First Place in the 2009 TN State Competition for MTNA, the 2010 SC State Competition for MTNA, and the 2010 Lee University Piano Competition. As a soloist, Zachary regularly appears at a variety of venues, performing a growing range of repertoire. In the fall of 2009 he was asked to play the Chopin E minor concerto for the “Chopin 200” concert series at East Tennessee State University, and in January 2011, he performed the Saint-Saens G minor Concerto with the Young Artist Orchestra of Greenville, SC led by Dr. Gary Robinson. He currently studies with Chih-long Hu and Fabio Perrini.

Keri Hui, daughter of Yau Man Hui and Siu Hung Li, is a twelfth-grader at Idyllwild Arts Academy in Idyllwild, CA. Born in Hong Kong, she began lessons at the age of 8. From 2001 to 2007, she received prizes in each year's Hong Kong School Music Festival in piano groups and violin groups. At the age of 12, she won the third prize of the 5th/6th group in the Hong Kong-Macau Audition for the sixth International Chopin Piano Competition in Asia. She served as pianist in a chamber group, principal second violin of her school orchestra, and accompanist of the Senior Choir at St.Paul’s Co-educational College in Hong Kong. In 2005, she won first prize in Chinese Pieces group in the Third Asian Youth Music Competition (Hong Kong). She was also awarded Outstanding Musician in the Piano Open Class of the 2006 Hong Kong Young Musician Competition. She currently studies with Dr. Andrew Park.

Adam (Seung-Joon) Kim, son of Paul Lee and Jisun Lee, is a tenth-grader in the Music Institute of Chicago’s Academy program. He started playing at the age of five in Korea and moved to Chicago in 2007. Previous teachers include Emilio del Rosario, Micah Yui, Choong-Mo Kang, Dae-Jin Kim, and Jin-Young Kwak. Awards include first prize in the Seoul National University of Education Competition, top honors at the Music Association of Korea Competition, bronze prize at the Sixth International Chopin Competition (Asia), honorable mention in the 2008 MTNA Illinois Competition, and first prizes in the 2008 Sejong and Midwest Young Artist Competitions. He has appeared on WFMT’s “Introduction” and, as winner of the 2009 Chicago Symphony Orchestra Youth Auditions, played Beethoven’s C Major Concerto with the Chicago Symphony in 2010. He currently studies with Alan Chow.

Aubrey Leaman, daughter of Clifford and Raymonda Leaman, is an eleventh-grader at Dutch Fork High School in Irmo, SC. She has been studying piano since the age of seven. As a pianist, Aubrey won the SCMTA piano competition in 2010 and received a scholarship as a prizewinner in the Eau Claire auditions in 2010. She is a member of the Dutch Fork High School Symphonic Winds, a National Honor Society Scholar, a member of the Beta Club and in the “top ten” of her class. She is also an active member of the Youth Choir and Youth Program at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Irmo, SC. She is currently a student of Joseph Rackers and Marina Lomazov.

Andrew Norton, son of Gregory and Yvette Norton, is a ninth-grader at Leesville Road High School in Raleigh, NC. He first expressed an interest in piano at the age of five, when he attended a beginner’s group class under the instruction of Barclay Megathlin. In addition to solo performance, Andrew enjoyed the experience of playing in a chamber orchestra led by Shelley Livingston (faculty member of the Duke University String School) in 2009-2010. He has received honor ratings in festivals and competitions including Young Artist Auditions and RPTA (Raleigh Piano Teacher’s Association), NCMTA (North Carolina Music Teachers Association), and National Piano Guild. He won first place in the Sir Walter Raleigh Festival of Music in 2009 and competed in MTNA in 2010. Since the fall of 2008, he has studied with Margaret Evans.

Maria Parrini, daughter of Sherry and Fabio Parrini, is a ninth-grader at Wade Hampton High School in Greeenville, SC. She won first place in the 2010 and 2009 South Carolina MTNA Junior Piano Competition and competed at the 2010 Southern Divisional Regional Competition. As winner of the 2010 Carolina Youth Symphony Concerto Competition, she performed the first movement of the Schumann Concerto. She placed third in the 2010 CYS Concerto Competition, was awarded prizes at the GMTA Lawrence Hamilton Morton Memorial Piano Auditions, has won scholarships from the Greenville Woman’s Music Club and performed in masterclasses with Christopher O’Riley and Ruby Morgan. She has attended the Furman University Summer Keyboard Institute, studying with David Gross and Derek Parsons. Since the age of three, she has studied with her mother, Sherry Parini.

Andrew Tung, son of Shang Tung and Jingwen Su, is an eleventh-grader at Vernon Hills High School in Vernon Hills, IL, and also attends The Academy, a pre-college program at the Music Institute of Chicago. His previous piano teachers include Emilio del Rosario. He has won first place in the Steinway Young Artist Piano Competition and the Edward & Ethel Martin Scholarships at the Union League Civic & Arts Foundation (Chicago), semi-finalist in the Ettlingen International Piano Competition (Germany) and the Missouri Southern International Piano Competition, honorable mention in the New Orleans International Piano Competition for Young Artists, and third place at International Russian Piano Music Competition (San Jose). His performances iinclude a master class with Leon Fleisher and a live broadcast solo piano recital in WFMT’s “Introductions.” He currently studies with Alan Chow.

Christina Wu, daughter of Nancy and Philip Wu, is currently a twelfth grader at Saratoga High School in Saratoga, CA. She began studying piano at the age of seven. In addition to the piano, she has also studied the violin, oboe, and percussion. She successfully completed the Certificate of Merit Advanced Level in 2009, and was successfully passed into the Panel Finals after the regional auditions in 2011. She received the honor as the alternate at the Young Pianists' Beethoven Competition for the final round this spring. Christina attended an international chamber music festival in Holland in the summer of 2006, Interlochen Arts Camp in the summer of 2009, and California Summer Music in 2010. This fall, she will begin her undergraduate studies as a piano performance major with Jean-Louis Haguenauer at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. She currently studies with Santa Clara University’s Hans Boepple.

Frank Wu, son of Sophia Li and Jianzhong Wu, is a twelfth grader at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, IL. He has been playing the piano since age five. He recently became an NFAA YoungArts National Finalist. Other honors include second prize at the IIYM International Piano Competition, first place in the ISMTA senior division, first place in the senior and junior divisions of the Chinese Fine Arts Music Competition and the piano category winner of the Walgreen's National Concerto Competition. He is currently the pianist of the MYA Chamber Music Group Trio Fantastique/Lyrique and was the pianist of Trio Trifecta, featured on NPR's “From the Top” and WFMT's “Introductions.” His chamber groups have received honors at the Jules M. Laser Chamber Music Competition, Discover National Chamber Music Competition, and Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. He currently studies with Brenda Huang.

Catherine Xu, daughter of Baomin Xu and Lingjun Du, is a ninth grader at Lynbrook High School in San Jose, CA. She began her piano studies at age six, and passed the Advanced Level of the MTAC's Certificate of Merit at the age of 10. In 2008, Catherine was named the third place winner of the San Francisco Chopin Competition, and awarded the Best Chinese Music Performance at the Chinese Music Teacher Association Youth Music Competition. For the past two years, she was one of the few contestants selected to compete in the Fourth and Fifth Mondavi Center Young Artists Competition, and was also a she was chosen as the Alternate Winner of MTNA’s Junior Competition (CA). In 2010, she was accepted as a scholarship student in the Preparatory Division at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She has been a student of John McCarthy since 2007.

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