10/29/2025
Three days of 2025 CWU PianoFest filled every corner of our halls with amazing music. This year, we explored and celebrated piano works by the inimitable Nahre Sol, which I know was a core memory and inspiration to many young pianists and musicians who participated in PianoFest. We also explored technology, innovation, improvisation, and chamber music in the three day span of the festival.
Thank you so much to Yamaha Pianos for sponsoring us with their Disklavier piano and their CFX22 Concert Grand for our performers. Thank you to Elizabeth Schumann and her student Aliya for performing in our Central to Stanford Disklavier remote masterclass, exploring the incredible possibilities of this technology. Thank you to Classic Pianos - WA for sponsoring the Nahre Sol prize and also for providing the pianos! And THANK YOU so much to our three phenomenal musicians and pianists, Nahre Sol, Alex Peh, and Tina Chong for sharing their artistry and expertise with our community! Thank you also to our awesome piano technician Joseph Haws, my fabulous Graduate Assistant Carmen Still, and the CWU Piano Minions for running the competition operation!!
Last but not least, CONGRATULATIONS to all winners and performers who shared their craftsmanship, dedication, and talents at the competition.
* 2025 PianoFest Winners*
Nahre Sol Prize
Junior: Julian Tang (teacher: Rosa Lee)
Intermediate: Mei Wang (teacher: Meyoung Chung)
Collegiate: Elliot Matteson (teacher: Dr. Yerin Kim)
Junior I
Gold Prize: Abigail Tian (teacher: Barbara Miller)
Silver Prize: Jenny Pham (teacher: Jiyoung Song)
Junior II
Gold Prize: Sasha Meyer (teacher: Xiaohui Yang)
Silver Prize: Shawn Ke (teacher: Yoon Shin)
Bronze Prize: Koyee Ly (teacher: Dr. Lark Powers)
Intermediate I
Gold Prize: Linda Ouimette (teacher: Barbara Miller)
Silver Prize: Angela Chang (teacher: Donna Bender)
Bronze Prize: Mei Wang (teacher: Meyoung Chung)
Intermediate II
Bronze : Ian Lee (teacher: Jiyoung Song)
Collegiate
Gold Prize: Elliot Matteson (teacher: Dr. Yerin Kim)
Silver Prize: Ella Melin (teacher: Dr. Yerin Kim)
Bronze Prize: Natalie Clay (teacher: Dr. Yerin Kim)
Virtual PianoFest
Junior I
Gold: Clement Tsai (teacher: Sabrina Chuang)
Silver: Charlotte Hong (teacher: Sarah Silvia, NCTM)
Bronze: Crystal Xu (teacher: Benjamin Walley)
Junior II
Gold: Julia Beal (teacher: Dr. Roger McVey)
Silver: Leo Hosseini (teacher: Sarah Silvia, NCTM)
Intermediate I
Silver: Bodhi Klinke (teacher: Sarah Silvia, NCTM)
Collegiate
Gold: Shubhan Iyer (teacher: Professor Jonathan Fisher)
