In 2019-2020, Park University’s International Center for Music had five students win top prizes in some of the most prestigious international music competitions in the world.
This is a success ratio not enjoyed by any other music conservatory in the country. It is also the most award winners that Park University has celebrated in a single academic year since its inception in 2003.
Because of COVID-19, Park University was not able to publicly celebrate our award winners. But our loss is your gain as we’re taking our celebration to the clouds. You can watch their performances in the comfort of your home and at your leisure. Help us celebrate our students’ successes. Click the links below for information on all our award winners and to connect to their self introductory and performance videos.
Congratulations Dilshod, Igor, Kenny, Kyoshiro, and Simon!
2020 Awards Feature: Dilshod Narzillaev
Originally from Uzbekistan, Cellist Dilshod Narzillaev came to Park University to study with cello professor Daniel Veis in 2015. In 2019, Dilshod won Fourth Prize at the famed Antonio Janigro International Cello Competition in Zagreb, Croatia. Beginning in 2020, he began studying under full scholarship with Laurence Lesser at The New England Conservatory of Music. But as Dilshod says himself, he will always be returning to Kansas City as it is his “second home.”
2019 Awards Feature: Igor Khukhua
Violinist Igor Khukhua won the Bronze Medal in the 2019 Elmar Oliveira Violin Competition in Florida. Originally from Siberia, Igor has studied with violin professor Ben Sayevich at Park International Center for Music since 2016. In 2020, Igor began his work toward an Artist’s Diploma in Violin Performance.
2019 Awards Feature: Kenny Broberg
Meet Pianist Kenny Broberg, Bronze Medalist of the 2019 International Tchaikovsky Competition. Kenny was the only American to make the finals of the most prestigious piano competition in the world, held every four years in Moscow. A Minnesota native, Kenny came to Park International Center for Music to study with Van Cliburn Gold Medalist Stanislav Ioudenitch in 2016 and is currently completing his Master’s Degree.
2019 Awards Feature: Kyoshiro Hirama
A highly decorated musician, Pianist Kyoshiro Hirama, originally from Osaka, Japan, Kyoshiro earned Fifth Prize in the Sendai International Music Competition, in Sendai, Japan in 2019. Having completed his bachelor’s degree in 2020 at Park, Kyoshiro began his Master’s Degree this fall, continuing his studies with Stanislav Ioudenitch.
2019 Awards Feature: Simon Karakulidi
Born in Novorossiysk, Russia in 1997, Pianist Simon Karakulidi earned the 2019 Gold Medal of The Wideman International Piano Competition in Shreveport, Louisiana. In 2019 alone, Simon won an amazing FOUR medals (three gold medals and one bronze medal) in international piano competitions. Having just completed his bachelor’s degree at Park U, Simon is now at Yale University School of Music pursuing his Master’s Degree.
