The 2024 Finalists
Out of the 70 applicants, three finalists were chosen by the Video Round Judges.
Praised by the critics as “…Delicate yet powerful…” (Lander University Press), Chinese pianist Zehao has established himself as one of the prominent rising stars on the concert scene today. Following major recognitions from the Seattle International Piano Competition, National Society of Arts and Letters, Long Island International Piano Competition, Thousand Island International Piano Competition, Zehao has given major concerts throughout the United States and China.
Zehao is currently a doctoral candidate at the Eastman School of Music majoring in Piano Performance and Literature where he served as piano instructor, teaching assistant and a faculty member of the Eastman Community Music School. He has served as jury member for the Arthur Fraser International Piano Competition, Miaomiao Rising Star Piano Competition, and many more.
In a testament to their commitment to musical education and community enrichment, Zehao and his partner Ke’er co-founded the Miaomiao Piano Festival in Wuhai, China, serving as artistic directors and program coordinators since its inception in the summer of 2016.
Praised for his interpretive sensitivity, imaginative programming, and ability to make classical music speak to all kinds of audiences, Canadian pianist Carter Johnson is establishing a reputation as one of his generation’s most gifted and multi-faceted pianists. The silver medalist of the 2024 Gina Bachauer Competition, his other victories include first prizes in international competitions such as the 2023 Concours « Étoiles du piano » and the 2020 Valsesia International Competition. Johnson holds a BMus from UBC, a MM from Juilliard and an MMA from Yale, where he is currently continuing his DMA under Wei-Yi Yang. Trained in elocution, Johnson holds an ATCL with distinction in speech and drama, and regularly brings this expertise to recitals in his discussions on the music that is being played. This skill was recognized in the 2023 Sydney International Piano Competition, where he was awarded the Best Program Presentation in the Semifinal for his program design and verbal introductions. Johnson resides in Hamden, Connecticut with his wife and their two young boys.
Chinese pianist Yongqiu Liu has successfully performing in over thirty countries across North and South America, Europe, Australia and Asia. Her performances has appeared in prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall in New York, Symphony Hall in Boston, Villa Medici Guilini in Italy, and Citizen’s Hall in Korea. She has collaborated with various orchestras such as Minnesota Symphony, Armenia Symphony, Serbia National Symphony, Yale Philharmonia, Novosibirsk Symphony, Busan Symphony, Xiamen Philharmonic; worked with esteemed conductors such as Benjamin Zander, Charles Olivieri-Munroe, and Bojan Sudic. She has been invited to give solo recitals in occasions like In-Musica International Festival in Rome, Consulate General of Poland, and “Spring of Shanghai” Music Festival.
Her international awards include USASU Bosendorfer Competition in Arizona, Malta International Piano Competition, International Jeunesses Music Competition in Belgrade, Carles & Sofia International Piano Competition, etc.
Yongqiu earned her Master and Bachelor Degrees of Music respectively from Yale University and New England Conservatory. She’s currently pursuing her Doctoral Degree in New York University as well as serving as Adjunct Faculty there.
Her mentors include Zhe Tang, Ting Zhou, Wha Kyung Byun, Alexander Korsantia, Boris Slutsky, Boris Berman, and Eduardus Halim.