Yamaha Music Australia partners with Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition to showcase Australia’s younger piano talent
The Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition has launched a brand new format for its 2021 Competition, including a new ‘Young Lev’ Piano Competition to showcase the talents of Australia’s talented young piano players of 16 years and under. Proudly partnered by Yamaha Music Australia, the ‘Young Lev’ Piano Competition will also give three young pianists the opportunity to rehearse and perform on stage with Queensland Symphony Orchestra, live-streamed worldwide.
Since 1999, the Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition has established a strong reputation in the national music scene shining a bright light on our finest piano talents and kickstarting new careers. The new ‘Young Lev’ Competition innovatively extends this reach to support budding young piano players showcase their talent and test their potential in a competition.
The new format of this youth competition offers younger pianists unique opportunities and exposure to audiences. Pianists and students throughout Australia are encouraged to submit audition videos as soon as possible. A distinguished international judge will choose nine competitors from the auditions to give recital performances in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. As for the adult Competition, all performances will be webcast for an international online audience.
An independent jury will choose three finalists to rehearse with QSO and perform on 16 July 2021 in Brisbane. Fittingly, contestants will display their talent on Yamaha’s magnificent CFX concert grand piano.
Artistic directors of the Competition, Natasha Vlassenko and Oleg Stepanov, said that ‘Inspiration, supported by professionalism and mastery, has always been the mark of the true art of piano playing. This competition provides a great opportunity for young performers to fully realise their creative potential’. Ms Vlassenko encouraged interested pianists to submit audition videos before the deadline of 15 April 2021.
Nathan Rippon, from Yamaha Music Australia extended Natasha’s and Oleg’s sentiment, stating “For us at Yamaha, our fundamental goal is to engage as many people in music education as possible. The Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition offers young musicians a unique path to build on their musical education and offer them a forum to showcase their effort and talent. This is what Yamaha is about.”
The Competition’s Patron, Mr Trevor St Baker AO, said that he is ‘proud to support this competition’ He noted that ‘many finalists from the Competition have gone on to outstanding international careers as pianists’. He was also pleased, he said, to offer the support of the Trevor & Judith St Baker Family Foundation in building and recognising young artistic talent.
Young pianists interested in participating can find out more below: