KU School of Music doctoral student earns top prizes in three international competitions

LAWRENCE – University of Kansas doctoral student Han Wang wowed piano judges this semester, earning two first-place finishes and one third-place prize at three international competitions.

In early February, Wang was awarded the top prize in the Fourth Annual United States Virtuoso Artists International Piano Competition at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. From more than 60 applicants’ recorded performances, Wang was selected as one of eight finalists to compete in a live, final round of the competition in Ohio.

Later in February, Wang won a grand prize at the Seventh Metropolitan International Piano Competition in New York City, competing against more than 40 pianists from around the world. As the grand prize winner, Wang was a featured artist at the Metropolitan International Music Festival’s Gala Concert held at Lincoln Center’s Bruno Walter Auditorium.

In March, Wang was awarded the third prize at the Ninth Chopin International Piano Competition in Hartford, Connecticut. Wang was one of 20 contestants from around the world selected to compete in a competition that required contestants to perform various genres of Chopin as well as other composers’ works. Wang was one of six contestants who advanced to the final round and was asked by the jury to play at the award ceremony.

Throughout the competitions, judges called Wang’s performances “stunning,” “brilliant, tasteful and very colorful,” and “very musical and beautiful.” Wang competed alongside students from other top music schools such as The Julliard School, Yale University, Cleveland Institute of Music, Peabody Institute of the John Hopkins University, Northwestern University, University of Cincinnati, University of Illinois and Manhattan School of Music.

Wang has performed throughout the United States, Europe and China. She is a student of Steven Spooner, professor of piano. Han attended Sichuan Conservatory of Music and earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in piano performance from the China Conservatory of Music.

For more information, contact the KU School of Music at 785-864-3436 or visit www.music.ku.edu.

Han Wang at the United States Virtuoso Artists International Competition 

Han Wang at the Seventh Metropolitan International Music Festival's Gala Concert at Lincoln Center's Bruno Walter Auditorium.