Awards & Competitions 2024-02-05T13:12:35+00:00

Awards

At Park ICM, our protégés not only train hard, they compete and perform hard as well. You’ll find our former and current students at concert halls and top competitions around the globe. The following is a listing of awards and accomplishments our students have achieved since the beginning of Park ICM:

2024

The Gurwitz International Piano Competition

The Gurwitz International Piano Competition seeks to discover the next generation of top young pianists from around the globe while bridging the art of classical piano with world music and culture. Each competition occurs every four years in San Antonio, TX, USA. Along with standard concert repertoire, pianists demonstrate their versatility by performing music rooted in their native cultures, works by Spanish and Latin composers celebrating San Antonio’s cultural makeup, and a commissioned work with chamber ensemble. A final piano concerto round with full symphony orchestra concludes each competition.

Tatiana Dorokhova, Silver Medal, 2024

2023

Wideman International Piano Competition

Nena Wideman, a former member of the Centenary College piano faculty, was the guiding spirit of the first Wideman competition in 1950 and continued with unwavering enthusiasm until her death in 1983. In 1982, an Endowment was created by the Shreveport Symphony in honor of Mrs. Wideman that established the permanence of this annual event. Outstanding pianists from around the world compete before nationally and internationally known judges.

Ilya Shmukler, Gold Medalist, 2023

27th Annual Sphinx Competition

The Sphinx Competition, held every year in Detroit (MI), is a US competition offering young Black and Latinx classical string players a chance to compete under the guidance of an internationally renowned panel of judges and to perform with and receive mentorship from established professional musicians. For the past quarter-century, the Sphinx Organization has worked tirelessly to bring much-needed diversity to the US classical music scene.  

Victor Diaz, Semi-Finalist, Sr. Division

Japan Piano Open, International Piano Competition, 2023

This competition seeks to give talented young musicians the opportunity to showcase their skills, with a wide repertoire allowing them to demonstrate their full command of the instrument, including compulsory works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Frédéric Chopin, and the competition’s Composer-In-Residence Alexey Shor.

Yangrui Cai, 1st Place Winner

2022

Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition

The mission of the Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition is to provide talented violinists, ages 16-32, who are at the start of their careers, with networking, management, public relations, community engagement and concert opportunities in addition to a monetary prize. These long-term career development tools reach well beyond financial support, actively demonstrating the strong dedication of the EOIVC to cultivating and nurturing developing musicians as well as encouraging them engage with the communities they serve.

Laurel Gagnon, Alum, 3rd Place Winner

Long-Thibaud Piano Competition

One of the oldest competitions in classical music, the biennial International Long-Thibaud competition has launched the careers of generations of young artists since its 1943 founding by French virtuoso’s pianist Marguerite Long and violinist Jacques Thibaud.

Michael Davidman, Artist Diploma Candidate, 3rd Place

76th Concours de Genève

Founded in 1939, Concours de Genève is one of the world’s leading international music competitions. It aims at discovering, promoting and supporting young talented artists, giving them the necessary tools to launch an international career.

Sergey Belyavsky, Graduate Student, 2nd Place Overall and the Audience Prize, the Students’ Prize, the Rose-Marie Huguenin Prize, the Paderewski Prize, and the Steinway Prizewinner Concerts Prize

Van Cliburn International Piano Competition

The quadrennial Van Cliburn International Piano Competition is considered one of the worlds most prestigious and grueling piano competitions. Hundreds from around the world apply but only 30 pianists are invited to compete. The Cliburn Competition is one of the few musical events in the world to arrange for competitors to stay with host families. The resulting southern hospitality has become a trademark of the Cliburn Competition.

Ilya Shmukler, Graduate Student, Finalist, Best Performance of a Mozart Concerto Award, 2022

2021

The 2021 Canada International Piano Competition

The Canada International Piano Competition was established to encourage young and inspiring musicians in their musical pursuits. The inaugural edition, held during the COVID-19 pandemic, aims to re-establish a sense of purpose in many young pianists’ career paths internationally, and to share the love of music with audiences worldwide again.

Artem Kuznetsov, 2nd Prize Winner

American Pianists Association and Christel DeHaan Classical Fellowship

The American Pianists Awards are held every two years to discover the best aspiring young American jazz and classical pianists. The unique and innovative competitions span 13 months and provide a platform to deeply engage musical artists in a variety of creative formats and settings. Winners receive $50,000 and the Christel DeHaan Classical Fellowship, consisting of career assistance for two years, publicity, performance engagements, an Artist-in-Residence post, and a recording contract with Steinway & Sons record label.

Kenny Broberg, Graduate Student, 2021 Winner

2020

Valsesia Musica International Competition

In 1981 Franco Fuselli, Ermanno Tiramani, president of Varallo Sesia Tourist Agency, and Joseph Robbone, founder and artistic director of“G.B.Viotti” international competition in Vercelli, created in Varallo Viotti Valsesia, a new international piano competition, in order to highlight young talented pianists and to promote tourism in Valsesia.

Sergey Belyavsky, 2nd Prize ex-aequo

Chanel Pygmalion Days

The CHANEL NEXUS HALL, a stunning concert venue within the Chanel Ginza Building in Tokyo, Japan, hosts a wide variety of musical concerts and exhibitions that embody the creative spirit of founder Gabrielle Chanel. CHANEL Pygmalion Days is a concert series inviting budding young artists to perform. Each year, five talented artists are selected to perform throughout the year.

Kyoshiro Hirama, Graduate Student, Selected Artist

American Pianists Association

The American Pianists Awards are held every two years to discover the best aspiring young American jazz or classical pianists. The unique and innovative competitions span 13 months and provide a platform to deeply engage musical artists in a variety of creative formats and settings.

Kenny Broberg, Advances to Finalist 2020

International Cello Competition Antonio Janigro

Cellist, conductor and pedagogue, Antonio Janigro (1918 – 1989), is regarded as one of the greatest European musicians of our times. 2020 marks the 12th junior international cello competition and the 7th adult competition bearing his name.

Dilshod Narzillaev, Alum, 2020 Finalist, 4th Place

2019

Ann & Charles Eisemann Young Artists Competition,  2019

Simon Karakulidi wins first prize at the 2019 Ann & Charles Eisemann International Young Artists Competition. The competition took place on Saturday January 12, 2019, in Richardson, Texas. As the Grand Prize winner Simon received a cash reward and will perform Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Opus 18 with the Richardson Symphony Orchestra at their March 2, 2019 concert. Charles Eisemann said, “Simon’s performance was absolutely masterful. I can’t wait to hear him again March 2!”

Winner, 2019

Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition

The mission of the Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition is to provide talented violinists, ages 16-32, who are at the start of their careers, with networking, management, public relations, community engagement and concert opportunities in addition to a monetary prize. These long-term career development tools reach well beyond financial support, actively demonstrating the strong dedication of the EOIVC to cultivating and nurturing developing musicians as well as encouraging them engage with the communities they serve.

Igor Khukhua, Artist’s Diploma Candidate, Bronze Medal, 2019

High Point University Piano Competition

The annual High Point University Piano Competition, funded by the Randall Thomas Johnson Trust, is held on the campus of High Point University in High Point, North Carolina. The final round of the piano competition and the awards ceremony takes place on a Saturday in September each year.

ICM Student, 2019 Finalist

International Keyboard Institute & Festival

The IKIF competition supports and recognizes the artistic endeavors of participants in the festival, and encourages excellence and dedication. There are three phases of the competition: Preliminaries, Semi-Finals and Finals. For the Final phase of the competition a one hour program, of varied and substantial repertoire, is required.

ICM Student, 2019 Laureate

Sendai International Music Competition

Sendai International Music Competition was created by the City of Sendai in 2001 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the city. The Competition is held every three years, aiming to contribute to the global culture of music and to international cultural exchange, through the nurturing of young, talented musicians.

Kyoshiro Hirama, Undergraduate, Fifth Place, 2019

The XVI International Tchaikovsky Competition

The International Tchaikovsky Competition, first held more than 50 years ago, is not only a valuable asset of Russian musical culture but is also one of the major events in the international music community. The International Tchaikovsky Competition is held once every four years in June and July in Moscow and St. Petersburg in Russia.

Kenny Broberg, Graduate Student, 2019 Bronze medalist

Naftzger Auditions

Conducted through the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, One person is named the Naftzger Young Artist and wins $5,000. Three other division prizes are awarded $2,000 each, and four division runner-up awards of $500.

Grand Prize, 2019, 2009, 2005.

Queen Elisabeth International Piano Competition, Brussels, Belgium

The Queen Elisabeth Competition is for musicians who have completed their training and who are ready to embark upon an international career. Established in 1937, the Competition soon became one of the leading international competitions for the violin and the piano; later, it was extended to include composition and (since 1988) the voice; beginning in 2017 it includes the cello. The Queen Elisabeth Competition owes its reputation in part to the very strict rules under which it is organized, but it also owes much to its prestigious jury, made up of outstanding artists and internationally renowned educators.

Selected Participant, 2019.

Wideman International Piano Competition

Nena Wideman, a former member of the Centenary College piano faculty, was the guiding spirit of the first Wideman competition in 1950 and continued with unwavering enthusiasm until her death in 1983. In 1982, an Endowment was created by the Shreveport Symphony in honor of Mrs. Wideman that established the permanence of this annual event. Outstanding pianists from around the world compete before nationally and internationally known judges.

Simon Karakulidi, Alum, 2019 Gold medalist
ICM student, 2005 First Prize

Young Texas Artists Music Competition

Young Texas Artists Music Competition (YTA) is an internationally recognized official music competition of the state of Texas and career development program for emerging classical artists. Also a valued community contributor, YTA offers free or low-cost cultural opportunities for the public.

ICM Alum, 2019 Grand Prize Winner

2018

SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL VIOLIN COMPETITION  2018

The triennial Singapore International Violin Competition serves to promote the continued growth and strength of classical music in the region, as well as providing a showcase for young violinists from around the world against the backdrop of Singapore’s world-class performance venues, its national orchestra and its internationally renowned music conservatory.

ICM Graduate student, 2018. One of six finalists. Only finalist from America. Placed fourth.

2017

Van Cliburn International Piano Competition

Winning the first Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow at the height of the Cold War in 1958 brought Van Cliburn unprecedented celebrity for an American concert pianist. Cliburn’s international victory instilled a fresh sense of artistic pride in many Americans, while opening the door to a new era of cultural relations between East and West. The Van Cliburn International Piano Competition was established shortly thereafter in 1962 to perpetuate Van Cliburn’s unique legacy of demonstrating how classical music, in the hands of a master, has the appeal to reach across all borders. The quadrennial Van Cliburn International Piano Competition is considered one of the worlds most prestigious and grueling piano competitions. Hundreds from around the world apply but only 30 pianists are invited to compete. The Cliburn Competition is one of the few musical events in the world to arrange for competitors to stay with host families. The resulting southern hospitality has become a trademark of the Cliburn Competition.

Silver Medal, 2017

2013

International Crescendo Music Awards Competition

Held annually in various establishments throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, California, Canada, Europe and Asia, Crescendo International Music Competition is open to all instrumentalists (Piano, Strings and Winds), duets, ensembles, and vocalists ages 5-22. One selection of Baroque, Classical, Romantic or Modern work must be chosen and performed from memory.

Silver Medal, Collegiate Piano Division, 2013.

Michael Hill International Violin Competition, Queenstown, New Zealand

Over eight days, a feast of spellbinding acts of virtuosity, heartstring-tugging treasures and heroic masterpieces are performed by 16 of the world’s finest young violinists. The “Michael Hill” is recognized as one of the most sought-after international violin prizes and the careers of future musical legends are launched here in New Zealand where they compete for a prize package valued at over $100,000.

Semi-finalist, 2013.

Queen Elisabeth International Piano Competition, Brussels, Belgium

The Queen Elisabeth Competition is for musicians who have completed their training and who are ready to embark upon an international career. Established in 1937, the Competition soon became one of the leading international competitions for the violin and the piano; later, it was extended to include composition and (since 1988) the voice; beginning in 2017 it includes the cello. The Queen Elisabeth Competition owes its reputation in part to the very strict rules under which it is organized, but it also owes much to its prestigious jury, made up of outstanding artists and internationally renowned educators.

Selected Participant, 2013.

2012

Kansas City Symphony Young Artists Competition

The Kansas City Symphony invites students between the ages of 13-18 to participate in the 2018 Woman’s City Club Charitable Foundation Young Artist Competition. Nearly $2,000 in prize money and the opportunity to perform with the Kansas City Symphony is awarded. Selected finalists perform in February each year at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Helzberg Hall.

Winner, 2012.

2011

International Johansen Competition for Young String Players, Washington DC

Established in 2010 and sponsored by the Friday Morning Music Club Foundation, the International Johansen Competition is held for students of violin, viola, and cello, ages 13–17 years annually in Washington DC.

Second Prize Winner, 2011.

2009

The King Award for Young Artists

The KING-FM Young Artist Awards, presented in partnership with the Seattle Chamber Music Society, is now in its sixth season. It strives to give talented young musicians a bigger stage as part of the radio station’s promise of support for arts education, community partnerships with the arts, and live broadcasts. Through a combination of world-class judges and listener votes, 10 finalists are chosen and perform live on the air before a winner in each of two age divisions is crowned. The 2017 Young Artist Awards competition is presented by Classical KING FM 98.1 in partnership with BECU and the Seattle Chamber Music Society.

First Prize, 2009.

London International Piano Competition

The London International Piano Competition has been staged in the British capital since 1991. Young pianists from all over the world are specially selected to perform in front of a demanding audience in some of the most iconic venues.

First Prize, 2009.   Bio of 2009 Winner – Behzod Abduraimov

2008

Kingsville International String Competition

Beginning in 1982, presented by the Music Club of Kingsville

First Prize, 2008.

Lennox young Artists Competition

Now titled the Charles Eisemann International Young Artists Competition for Strings, and presented by the Richardson Symphony Orchestra. The purpose of the competition is to recognize talented young musicians and to give these artists the opportunity to perform with the Richardson Symphony Orchestra. Held annually in January at the University of Dallas, Texas

First Prize, 2008.

Missouri Southern International Piano Competition, Junior Division

The Missouri Southern Competition was a biannual international piano competition organized by the Missouri Southern State University first held in 1987. It was dissolved in 2008 following the retirement of its director, Vivian León.

Senior Division: First Prize, 2006.
Junior Division: First Prize, 2008. Third Prize, 2006.

2007

Iowa International Piano Competition

The Iowa International Piano Competition is an intense three-day competition annually in March hosted by the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra in Sioux City, Iowa.

First Prize, 2007.

Tchaikovsky International Competition

The International Tchaikovsky Competition, first held more than 50 years ago, is not only a valuable asset of Russian musical culture but is also one of the major events in the international music community. The International Tchaikovsky Competition is held once every four years in June and July in Moscow and St. Petersburg in Russia.

Preliminaries, 2007.

2006 and Earlier

Gina Bachauer Masters International Piano Competition

Held annually by the Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation.

Semifinals, 2006.

IIYM International Piano Competition

The International Institute for Young Musicians International Piano Competition takes place in July in Swarthout Recital Hall located on the campus of the University of Kansas in Lawrence.  The IIYM International Piano Competition serves students, families, and teachers who are passionately committed to the art of piano performance.  It is a celebration of their talents and an opportunity to gain recognition, enlarge their experience and compete for scholarships and cash prizes.  The semi-final and final rounds of the competition are free and open to the public.

First Prize, 2006.

MTNA Kansas State Competition

Conducted by the Music Teachers National Association. Competition Categories include Piano, String (Violin, Viola, Cello, String Bass) and Woodwind (Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Saxophone), Piano. Awards made possible by Kawai America.

Kansas State Competition: Junior Division First Prize, 2006.
National Competition: Junior Division State Winner, 2005.

San Marino International Piano Competition, Republic of San Marino

A piano competition conducted annually by the Musical Association ALLEGRO VIVO. The objectives of the of the nonprofit organization Allegro Vivo are the promotion of musical culture and artistic activities in general in San Marino and abroad, using also exchanges with other countries.

Semifinals, 2006.

The Nena Wideman Piano Competition

The Nena Wideman Piano Competition, which began in 1950, has been held annually the first weekend of December, at Centenary College-Hurley School of Music.

Outstanding pianists from throughout the United States and foreign countries, and from major music schools have been attracted to the Competition.  Nationally and Internationally known pianists and conductors are chosen to be judges. Park ICM Founder and Artistic Director, Stanislav Ioudenitch, won the Nena Wideman Piano Competition in 1998.

First Prize, 2005.

World Piano Competition

For 57 years, the Cincinnati-based World Piano Competition has introduced some of the most talented pianists in the world to the Queen City. Our mission is to promote and celebrate the art of classical piano music.

First Prize, 2006.

Other Merits & Scholarships:

NPR Music’s 100 Favorite Songs of 2012 (Behzod Abduraimov with “Dance Macabre”)

2013 Featured Performer for NPR’s “From the Top” hosted by pianist Christopher O’Riley

Two prestigious French Awards: Choc de Classica and the Diapason Découverte

Musical America has named pianist Behzod Abduraimov as their December Artist of the Month

2009 Aspen Music Festival (full scholarship, member of the Festival Orchestra)

Fellowship at the 2008 John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts/National Symphony Orchestra National Trustees’ Summer Music Institute

2008 Invitation to perform for Van Cliburn at the celebration of the 50th anniversary after his legendary victory at the First Tchaikovsky International Competition in Moscow in 1958

2006 at Robert M. Spire Omaha Piano Competition, Concerto category (First Prize)

2004 Middle America Music Association, Solo Virtuoso (First Prize)

Park ICM Graduates have entered Graduate Programs at the following on full scholarship:

  • The Julliard School
  • International Piano Academy Lake Como, Dongo, Italy
  • Conservatorio della Swizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
  • Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University
  • Manhattan School of Music

Students enrolled at Park ICM after attending the following schools:

  • Moscow P.I. Tchaikovsky State Conservatory, Russia
  • Yale School of Music
  • Chopin School of Music in Warsaw, Poland
  • Texas Christian University in Fort Worth Texas
  • Petersburg State Conservatory, Russia
  • University of the Arts, Berlin, Germany
  • Hochschule der Künste in Berlin, Germany
  • Xinghai Conservatory of Music, China