Music

I have been playing piano since kindergarten and started playing competitively in fourth grade. I began playing the violin in fifth grade too, because of my school’s strings class. I enjoy music for various reasons. In elementary school, I enjoyed playing music with friends, ranging from small groups, such as duos or trios, or large ensembles with fifteen or more players.We performed each semester, and I performed a duet with one of my classmates, who is a cellist. We mutually decided on a piece called Humoresque, by Antonin Dvorak. In the past, I have performed with large ensembles and in a string trio. My current focus in community performances, improving my skills, and exploring new repertoire.

Performances

4/2026 Carnegie Hall – American Protege Winner’s Concert
11/2025 Schools of the Sacred Heart New Student Admission Event – solo piano
12/2025 Heritage House Senior Center Holiday Performance
12/2024 Carnegie Hall Performance – American Protege Winner’s Concert

Awards & Competitions

2025
- 2nd Place, American Protege
- Grand Prize, Golden Piano Talents Competition, invited to perform in North Macedonia.
- Silver Medal, Vienna Piano Competition
2024
- 1st Place, Golden Piano Talents Competitions
- 2nd Place, Golden Piano Talents Competitions
- 2nd Place, American Protegé Competition
- 3rd Place, Charleston International Music Competition
- Audience Favorite Award, Charleston International Music Competition
- 2nd Place, American Protege
2023
- 4th Place, United States Open Music Competitions
- Golden Grand Prize, Golden Piano Talents Competition, invited to perform in North Macedonia.

Sharing music with others through performances is yet another way I find music rewarding. Some of my favorite experiences performing were for the elderly at the Heritage House, a senior home in San Francisco. During Christmas time, I participate in a recitals with other students here. We all played Christmas songs and holiday tunes. It makes me so happy to see the seniors light up with great big smiles even before we start playing. I’ve never seen people so ecstatic to hear musicians perform.

Piano sets me apart and completes me as a person. It is similar to sports because it takes practice, involves competition, and while it isn’t a team sport, I still can connect with other people through sharing music. As I transitioned into my high school years, I got involved with high school ensembles playing new styles of music, mainly jazz. It’s rewarding to be involved in and contribute to my high school community.

Competitions & Piano Repertoire

Another reason I enjoy music is that it gives me a sense of achievement from performing and competing. Every three months or so, I play in a recital hosted by my teacher or my mother. I can’t describe a better feeling than playing my pieces well in recitals. Imagine preparing a presentation over the course of many weeks and getting a full score. This is the same feeling. I also do piano exams called The Royal Conservatory Examinations. I started taking these music tests in first grade and have done one each year since, and I am currently on level eight. Passing these exams with honors feels so great because of the amount of time I spend on preparation. I practice the requirements for about forty five minutes a day for about five months.