881 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019
The Adam György Foundation proudly presents the Gala Event of the III. New York Franz Liszt International Piano Competition, showcasing four extraordinary young pianists on 6 October, 2023 from 7PM at the world famous Carnegie Hall.
The event is supported by the Liszt Institute Hungarian Cultural Center New York. The Grand Prize of the competition will be handed out by István Pásztor, Consul General of Hungary in New York.
The event that aims to celebrate the musical legacy of Ferenc Liszt in the United States comprises a distinguished international jury invited by the Liszt-prize winner pianist Adam Gyorgy.
Besides Adam Gyorgy, judges selecting the winner who will perform on the Gala event at Carnegie Hall includes Dr. Gabor Farkas, the Head of Piano Faculty at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest and Dr. Steven Spooner, piano faculty of Peabody Conservatory.
About the Finalists
Ningxin Zhan
Ningxin Zhan is a young classical pianist with a passionate artistic mission to share music with diverse audiences around the world, and has performed in China, Italy, and the US. Ningxin received top prize at the 2019 Virginia Waring International Piano Competition, Yale Gordon Competition, Sviatoslav Richter International Piano Competition, and Vladimir Krainev Moscow International Piano Competition. She started her piano career at the age of 5. Ningxin received multiple scholarships to attend the music school affiliated to the Shanghai Conservatory of Music at the age of 9.
Hongbo Cai
Hongbo Cai is a pianist, writer and filmmaker. At 21 years old, he made his debut at Carnegie Hall, and at 22 years old, he was appointed adjunct faculty in the piano department of New York University. Hongbo is currently studying at The Juilliard School. In 2021, he completed his China tour at the invitation of CPAA and Jucheng Theatre chains. Additionally, he embarked on a concert tour sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts. He has performed throughout Europe, Asia, North America, and Latin America. His upcoming program includes recitals in Indonesia, Singapore, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Austria as well as the US. He will be performing at Carnegie Hall in New York, Salle Cortot in Paris, Ehrbal Saal, Musikverein in Vienna. He has won Grand Prix and First Prize at the Piano Island Festival, Carls & Sofia Piano Competition, WPTA Spain Piano Competition, Valesia Musica Juniores International Competition, WPTA Singapore International Piano Competition, and was awarded album distribution rights by KNS Classical.
Klyde Ledamo
26 year-old pianist Klyde Ledamo has appeared throughout Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America as a recitalist and orchestral soloist. A native of the Philippines, he has won top prizes from competitions: Schubert Club, Lynn Concerto, Tampa Bay Symphony Concerto, USA’s National Society of Arts, and Letters Piano Competition. Klyde completed his MM degree from Lynn Conservatory-Florida in 2019 winning the “The Dean’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Education.” In 2017, he attended the summer academy of the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. An avid chamber musician, Klyde has toured in Austria, Italy, Germany, and around the US collaborating with various artists and chamber ensembles. He has appeared as soloist with the UP Orchestra, Manila Symphony Orchestra, and the Lynn Philharmonia. Klyde has been on staff at the Rebecca Penneys Piano Festival since 2021. Currently, Klyde holds a Teaching Assistant position and is pursuing a DMA at the University of Iowa.
Huiping Cai
As a soloist, Huiping Cai has performed across the United States and worldwide including Mexico, Russia, Kazakhstan, and her home country, China. She has won top prizes at the Philadelphia International Piano Competition, Miami Music Festival Piano Concerto Competition, Chopin International Piano Competition, Los Angeles International Liszt Competition. She has performed piano concertos with Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, Evergreen Symphony Orchestra, Kazakhstan National Symphony Orchestra, Miami Music Festival Orchestra, Temple University Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong VTC Symphony Orchestra, and Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2023, she gave a chamber music concert tour in Shanghai and Hangzhou with the Gallant Quartet, featuring piano quartets of Brahms and Schumann. Huiping received her MM in Piano Performance from New England Conservatory and held a Teaching Assistant position. She is currently pursuing her DMA in Piano Performance & Literature, and a MM in Piano Accompanying & Chamber Music at the Eastman School of Music.
About the Jury
Adam Gyorgy
Adam Gyorgy’s televised live performance at the UEFA Championship in Warsaw was broadcast to 300 million international viewers. As one of today’s leading pianists, he regularly plays at sold out performances at concert halls around the world. He is the recipient of the prestigious Franz Liszt Award in 2020 and the Golden Cross of Merit in Hungary in 2016. As the founder of the Adam Gyorgy Foundation, he has provided continuous support to the next generation’s talented musicians for over a decade.
Gabor Farkas
Dr. Gabor Farkas is currently the Head of Keyboard Department and Head of the Doctoral School at the Liszt Academy of Music and a Guest Professor at the Tokyo College of Music. He is also the distinguished jury member at the PTNA International Piano Competition in Tokyo. Gabor Farkas is frequently invited to perform in prestigious festivals as well as international concert halls. He was recognized as an Honorary Citizen of his home town, Ozd.
Steven Spooner
Dr. Steven Spooner is the Professor of Piano at the Peabody Institute. Spooner has served on the faculty of many prestigious summer festivals and is increasingly in demand for his insightful masterclasses at leading conservatories across the globe. He is the Artistic Director of the Chicago International Competition and Festival. He often serves on juries of international competitions. A dedicated and caring teacher of students from around the world, he has formed winners of multiple prizes at important international competitions.