Piano Concerto Showcase

Yunfei (Joanna) Huang, age 14, began her piano studies at the age of seven under the guidance of Dr. Ivona Kaminska. Through systematic and sustained study, she has developed a strong foundation in classical piano performance along with growing maturity in musical expression.

Joanna has participated in numerous competitions and festivals, earning recognition for her dedication and artistic development. Her recent honors include First Place in the American Protégé International Romantic Music Competition (2025), Gold Medalist at the Classical Viennese Festival (2025), First Place (Top 15 Most Exceptional Performer) at the Spring Music Competition (2025), and First Place in the 19th Century Music Competition (2024).

Through her musical training and stage experience, Joanna has developed a strong interest in classical repertoire, with particular attention to musical structure, stylistic clarity, and the interpretation of composers’ musical language. She approaches performance with discipline, focus, and artistic sensitivity. Outside of music, Joanna enjoys drawing, playing basketball, and writing.

Eli Li is a sixth-grade pianist whose musical journey began at the age of five. He currently studies with Dr. Christopher Bowlby and has quickly distinguished himself as a young artist recognized for expressive playing and notable musical maturity.

Eli has earned top honors in numerous national and international competitions. Recent achievements include Silver Medals at the Classical Viennese Festival and the Virtuoso Artists Festival (2025). His 2024 season featured First Prizes at the Barum International Music Competition, the Crescendo International Music Competition, and the Classical Viennese Festival, as well as a Bronze Medal at the Bach Festival International. He is a three-time First Prize winner of the United States International Duo Piano Competition (2022–2023) and earned First Prize at the Carmel Klavier International Piano Competition (Ensemble Division, 2023). In 2022, he was a Semifinalist in the Seattle International Piano Competition.

Eli performs regularly as both a soloist and a duo pianist with his partner, Siyi Xu. His performances have taken place at distinguished venues including Carnegie Hall and Benaroya Hall, as well as multiple Chopin and Beyond concerts at the Polish Home Association and other venues.

Outside of music, Eli enjoys debating, reading, swimming, mathematics, skiing, and hiking.

Yutong (Angela) Xie, age 12, is a young pianist studying with Dr. Ivona Kaminska. She began piano studies at the age of six and has distinguished herself through advanced technical command, musical maturity beyond her years, and keen ensemble awareness.

Angela is a First Prize winner of the International Music Competition “Vienna” (Grand Prize Virtuoso, 2025) and a three-time First Prize winner of the American Protégé Piano and Strings Competition (2023–2025). Her Gold Medals at the Classical Viennese Festival and the Bach Festival International (2024–2025) reflect stylistic breadth across Baroque and Classical repertoire. Since 2022, Angela has been invited to perform annually at Carnegie Hall, where she has demonstrated confident stage presence and strong collaborative musicianship in large-scale works.

Siyi Xu began studying piano at the age of 5. She has earned numerous awards in piano performance competitions, including twice receiving First Prize at the United States International Duo Piano Competition (2022, 2023). She has also won First Prizes at the Charleston Spring Music Competition (2024), the 19th Century Music Competition (2024), and the Summer Music Competition (Duet).

Siyi has received Gold Medals at the Classical Viennese Festival (2024), the Virtuoso Artists Festival (2025), and the Bach Festival International (2024, 2025), all organized by the Seattle International Piano Festival. Additional honors include First Prizes in the American Protégé International Romantic Music Competition (2024) and the American Protégé Music Talent Competition (Fall 2025).

Siyi studied piano with Ms. Yunqing Zhang for four years and has been studying with Dr. Ivona Kaminska-Bowlby since October 2023. Outside of music, she is an avid reader, a devoted fan of Harry Potter, and enjoys swimming, performing arts, and dance.

Andrew J. Lee, from Sammamish, Washington, studies piano with Drs. Ivona Kaminska-Bowlby and Peter Mack and previously studied at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He has earned numerous First Prize awards and top honors at local, national, and international competitions.

Andrew’s recent awards include First Prize at the WSMTA Outstanding Artist Piano Competition (2025), First Prize at the San Francisco International Piano Competition (2025), Gold Medal at the Seattle International Piano Competition Bach Festival (2025), Grand Prix Winner of the Russian Chamber Music Foundation of Seattle Competition, and First Place at the Chopin Council of San Francisco Chopin Competition (2025). Additional distinctions include Second Place at the California PMT Contemporary Competition (2025), Second Place at the US Open Music Competition (2025), Winner of the Marilyn Mindell Junior Competition (2024), and Winner of the Golden State Youth Orchestra Piano Concerto Competition (2024), among others.

Andrew has performed as a soloist with the Golden State Youth Orchestra’s Camilla Kolchinsky Orchestra and has participated in prominent piano festivals including MusicAlp (France), the Southeastern Piano Festival, the Seattle Piano Institute, and the Philadelphia International Music Festival. He has worked in masterclasses with distinguished artists including Alexandre Dossin, Sara Davis Buechner, Alexander Moutouzkine, Alexander Shtarkman, Robin McCabe, and Edward Auer.

Beyond music, Andrew is an avid golfer and tennis player. He has earned Washington State Conference Honors and is qualified for the 2025–26 Washington State WIAA Boys Tennis Championships. Andrew is also committed to community service, regularly performing at senior living facilities and coaching music theory for younger students.

Born in China, pianist Shichu (David) Liu began his musical journey at the age of 4. His early achievements quickly distinguished him as a gifted young artist, and after relocating to Seattle, he continued his studies with Dr. Ivona Kaminska at the Chopin Academy of Music. David is currently a student at Berklee College of Music in Boston, while remaining an active member of the Chopin Academy’s Outreach Program as both a performer and a practice instructor mentoring younger pianists.

David has earned numerous competition honors, including First Prizes at the Bach Festival International, the Virtuoso Artists Festival, the Chopin Festival of the Northwest, and the Outstanding Artists Competition of Washington State, as well as Second Prize at the Simon Fiset Competition. In 2018, he was selected to perform Chopin’s Piano Concerto in F minor, Op. 21 with the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra at the Chan Centre. His performance credits also include appearances at Benaroya Hall and Weill Recital Hall.

In addition to his competition and performance success, David has studied with distinguished artists including Logan Skelton, Christopher Bowlby, Peter Mack, and Sara Davis Buechner. He also serves as pianist at Our Savior Lutheran Church. His commitment to music is reflected not only in his own artistry, but also in his dedication to mentoring and inspiring the next generation of pianists.