Piano League Cultivates Young Pianists with All-Star Competition

Elizabeth Levine recalls the heart-racing adrenaline and the heat from the spotlight warming her skin while cascading her fingers across a majestic piano on a Carnegie Hall stage. At just 11 years old, she has already performed in over 20 competitions, but the one that has embedded itself into her core memory was the Piano Star International Competition.

“When I’m playing the piano, I feel like I can take my emotions and really put them into the piece I’m playing,” Levine shared.

Levine was first introduced to the piano at the tender age of seven when she heard Chinese pianist Lang Lang play Liebestraum No. 3 by Franz Liszt and fell in love with the music. “I told my mom one day I want to play that piece,” Levine said.

Levine’s teacher learned about the Piano Star International Competition and thought it would be the perfect opportunity for her. While it was not the first time Levine played at Carnegie Hall, it was the very same venue where renowned pianists made their claim to fame.

“Oh my gosh, I was so nervous, but I got to peek out at the stage. It was so big, and there was this huge spotlight, and everything else was dark. So many people were in the audience, and it felt big and scary. But now, since I’ve played her so much, I’ve gotten used to it,” Levine said, describing her memories of performing on Carnegie Hall.

Piano League is an online platform developed for young musicians to hone their skills and has cultivated an internationally competitive program that started back up on the first of September. Throughout the school year and summer, students can apply for scholarships and participate in master classes, and then put their lessons to the test through the Piano Star International Competition.

“Our goal is to make the Piano Star International Competition the premier event for pianists worldwide,” Executive Director Piano Star International Competition Brian Lin said. “Our mission has always been to create a vibrant, inclusive community for piano aficionados of

all ages and skill levels…We are dedicated to fostering a strong, supportive community for piano enthusiasts.”

For young pupils like Bruno Ramírez Gallusser this program afforded him a glimpse into his desired future and was just floored by the Hall’s Steinway piano as one of the most beautiful instruments his fingers have ever touched and the magnitude of performing on such a stage.

“This is the biggest, most powerful competition I’ve ever been in. This is the best piano I ever played and I’m so grateful to the Piano League because to play at Carnegie Hall is one of my biggest dreams,” Gallusser said proudly. “

Caroline Nagayumi’s love for music was fostered through a camp scholarship she received from Piano League, which allowed her weeks to practice her music before the competition. The 16- year-old traveled from Japan to New York and described the ability to perform at Carnegie Hall as an inspiring accomplishment, allowing her to share classical pieces from her country on the grandest musical stage.

Applications for 2024 Piano Star opened in September, ramping up students for this fall’s competition season for budding younger pianists.