Four finalists remain in piano competition

Special to the Green Valley News

The Green Valley Concert Association’s annual piano competition concert, co-sponsored by KUAT, features four finalists and one alternate from the University of Arizona School of Music and Dance.

The season-finale concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 13 at the Valley Presbyterian Church, 2800 South Camino Del Sol in Green Valley. A pre-concert reception begins at 6:30 p.m.

The concern will include:

Bulgarian pianist Miroslava Panayotova, who has made numerous appearances as a recitalist and orchestra soloist in the US, Canada, Bulgaria, Russia, Slovakia, Romania and Mexico. She holds a Bachelor and Master of Music Degree from the State Academy of Music in Sofia, Bulgaria. At the University of South Florida, she also graduated with a Master of Music Degree. A winner of many prizes and medals, Panayotova is a doctoral student at the University of Arizona, she studies with Professor Tannis Gibson.

Shu-ching Cheng was born into a classical music-loving family in Taiwan. Cheng studied at Shih-Chen University, graduating with honors. Her Master’s Degree in Piano Performance was received from the University of New Mexico. She is pursuing her Doctorate of Musical Arts Degree at the University of Arizona, studying with Professors Paula Fan and John Steele Ritter.

A native of Korea, Bokyung Park has studied piano from early childhood. Park’s education includes a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Ewha Women’s University, a Bachelor of Music in Piano from Sookmyung Women”s University, and a Masters of Music in Piano Performance from Arizona State University. She has been awarded numerous prizes and is studying for her Doctorate of Musical Arts Degree in Piano Performance at the UA under Professor Tannis Gibson.

Astrid Chan is pursuing her Doctoral degree in Piano Performance with Professor Tannis Gibson of the U of A School of Music. Born in Taipei, Taiwan, she began music lessons at the age of four. She received her Bachelor of Music degree, with honors, from Fu-Jen Catholic University. Currently, Chan is a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the UA, where she teaches group piano classes and is preparing for her solo recital. She will perform on tour in Taiwan in winter, 2008.

Thomas Azar, an alternate contestant, came to Tucson from El Paso, where he received his BA diploma in Piano and Theory/Composition. Azar was active as percussionist and keyboardist for the El Paso Symphony Orchestra. He is completing his Master’s degree, studying with Professor Tannis Gibson.

Tickets are $10 (students free) and are available at Meredith’s Hallmark at 250 W. Continental in Green Valley or at the door the night of the performance.

Hearing assistance is available.

For more information call (520) 648-5961 or visit www.gvconcertassociation.org.