Finn Bush
Finn Bush is a fourth-year undergraduate Piano Performance student in Dr. Chrstopher Fisher’s studio at Ohio University.
Finn was born in Kenscoff, Haiti, before being adopted and coming to live in Athens, Ohio at the age of 10 months. He began his piano journey when he was five years old with Marsha Riley before continuing his studies with Trisha Lachman. For the last six years, Dr. Emely Phelps was his instructor and mentor. Finn participated in Ohio University Summer Music camps, one of which gave him the opportunity to play in world class pianist George Li’s masterclass.
Winning the Ohio University High School Concerto Scholarship Competition gave Finn the honor of playing as a piano soloist with the Ohio University Symphony his sophomore year. Other competitions include two MTNA Piano competitions (honorable mentions), and the New Albany Symphony Orchestra’s Student Concerto Competition (second prize).
Finn studied with Svetlana Smolina and Mark Livshits at the Philadelphia International Music Festival where he won second place overall in the piano concerto competition and first prize for his age group, earning him a merit scholarship. At Peabody Piano Week he was instructed by Alexander Shtarkman and Michael Angelucci. Most recently he attended the Brevard Summer Music Festival, studying with Donna Lee.
Finn plays violin in the Ohio University Symphony Orchestra. He studies violin with Dr. Nathan Southwick.
As well as music, Finn is passionate about ice hockey and gym workouts. He also enjoys travel, computer gaming, and working around his family’s farm.
Finn was born in Kenscoff, Haiti, before being adopted and coming to live in Athens, Ohio at the age of 10 months. He began his piano journey when he was five years old with Marsha Riley before continuing his studies with Trisha Lachman. For the last six years, Dr. Emely Phelps was his instructor and mentor. Finn participated in Ohio University Summer Music camps, one of which gave him the opportunity to play in world class pianist George Li’s masterclass.
Winning the Ohio University High School Concerto Scholarship Competition gave Finn the honor of playing as a piano soloist with the Ohio University Symphony his sophomore year. Other competitions include two MTNA Piano competitions (honorable mentions), and the New Albany Symphony Orchestra’s Student Concerto Competition (second prize).
Finn studied with Svetlana Smolina and Mark Livshits at the Philadelphia International Music Festival where he won second place overall in the piano concerto competition and first prize for his age group, earning him a merit scholarship. At Peabody Piano Week he was instructed by Alexander Shtarkman and Michael Angelucci. Most recently he attended the Brevard Summer Music Festival, studying with Donna Lee.
Finn plays violin in the Ohio University Symphony Orchestra. He studies violin with Dr. Nathan Southwick.
As well as music, Finn is passionate about ice hockey and gym workouts. He also enjoys travel, computer gaming, and working around his family’s farm.
David Garcia
Born in Caracas on November 6, 2007, David García, an 18-year-old pianist, has developed his artistic career in Panama City, where he has quickly established himself as one of the most outstanding young talents in the region. From an early age he showed an absolute musical ear and exceptional piano ability, qualities that enabled him to complete the Suzuki Method in just three years. David is currently a freshman piano performance major at the Ohio University School of Music where he is a student of Professor Christopher Fisher.
He has been a student of renowned teachers such as Margarita Troetsch, Piotr Oczkowski and Luis Troetsch, in addition to receiving master classes from internationally renowned pianists such as Mirian Conti, Dimitry Rachmanov, Christopher Fisher and Vladimir Khomyakov. In February 2023 he was distinguished as the first "Yamaha Young Artist" in Latin America, a recognition that highlights his talent, discipline and artistic projection.
A pianist of extraordinary consistency and distinction, David Garcia has built a decade-long record of excellence on the international stage. His competitive success began early in Panama, where he secured 1st Prize victories in 2015, 2018, 2021, and most recently in 2025, demonstrating a remarkable trajectory of growth. This local success is mirrored by his international accolades, including the Grand Prix at the Carmel Klavier LATAM in Bogotá in 2020 and double victories at the Pianissimo Competition in Medellín (2017 & 2025). Globally, he has been recognized with 2nd Prize in the Concerto category (Grieg’s A Minor) at the Carmel Klavier International in Indiana, 2nd Prize at the V Future Star International in Connecticut, and 3rd Prize at the Franz Liszt Center Competition in Spain
His career includes solo performances with various orchestras and ensembles, including:
• Debut in 2017, at the age of 9, with the University Symphony Orchestra of Panama, performing Joseph Haydn's Piano Concerto in D major.
• Participation in the Panama World Music Festival (2018).
• Performance at the First Suzuki Convention of the Americas in Cancun (2019).
• Premiere in the American continent of the piano concerto in five movements by Spanish composer Pablo Berlanga (2019).
• Soloist of Beethoven's Concerto No. 1 with the Camerata Panama on various stages (2021).
• Tour in Colombia as a soloist of the Camerata Panama (2022).
• Presentations of Beethoven's Concerto No. 1 with the National Symphony Orchestra of Panama (2022).
• Performance of the Edvard Grieg Concerto with the Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho Symphony under the direction of Elisa Vegas (Caracas, 2023).
• New presentation of Grieg's Concerto with the National Symphony of Panama, conducted by Jorge Ledezma-Bradley(2023).
• Soloist of Mozart's Concerto No. 24 with the Panama Philharmonic under the direction of Elisa Vegas (July 2024).
• Participation in the symphonic bolero project with the Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Byron Marchan (2025).
• Soloist of Mozart's Concerto No. 9 with the Istmo Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Carlos Alexander Guevara (March 2026).
With a career that combines precocity, interpretive maturity and constant growth, David García continues to consolidate himself as one of the young promises of Latin American piano, standing out both for his musical sensitivity and for his impressive technical mastery.
He has been a student of renowned teachers such as Margarita Troetsch, Piotr Oczkowski and Luis Troetsch, in addition to receiving master classes from internationally renowned pianists such as Mirian Conti, Dimitry Rachmanov, Christopher Fisher and Vladimir Khomyakov. In February 2023 he was distinguished as the first "Yamaha Young Artist" in Latin America, a recognition that highlights his talent, discipline and artistic projection.
A pianist of extraordinary consistency and distinction, David Garcia has built a decade-long record of excellence on the international stage. His competitive success began early in Panama, where he secured 1st Prize victories in 2015, 2018, 2021, and most recently in 2025, demonstrating a remarkable trajectory of growth. This local success is mirrored by his international accolades, including the Grand Prix at the Carmel Klavier LATAM in Bogotá in 2020 and double victories at the Pianissimo Competition in Medellín (2017 & 2025). Globally, he has been recognized with 2nd Prize in the Concerto category (Grieg’s A Minor) at the Carmel Klavier International in Indiana, 2nd Prize at the V Future Star International in Connecticut, and 3rd Prize at the Franz Liszt Center Competition in Spain
His career includes solo performances with various orchestras and ensembles, including:
• Debut in 2017, at the age of 9, with the University Symphony Orchestra of Panama, performing Joseph Haydn's Piano Concerto in D major.
• Participation in the Panama World Music Festival (2018).
• Performance at the First Suzuki Convention of the Americas in Cancun (2019).
• Premiere in the American continent of the piano concerto in five movements by Spanish composer Pablo Berlanga (2019).
• Soloist of Beethoven's Concerto No. 1 with the Camerata Panama on various stages (2021).
• Tour in Colombia as a soloist of the Camerata Panama (2022).
• Presentations of Beethoven's Concerto No. 1 with the National Symphony Orchestra of Panama (2022).
• Performance of the Edvard Grieg Concerto with the Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho Symphony under the direction of Elisa Vegas (Caracas, 2023).
• New presentation of Grieg's Concerto with the National Symphony of Panama, conducted by Jorge Ledezma-Bradley(2023).
• Soloist of Mozart's Concerto No. 24 with the Panama Philharmonic under the direction of Elisa Vegas (July 2024).
• Participation in the symphonic bolero project with the Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Byron Marchan (2025).
• Soloist of Mozart's Concerto No. 9 with the Istmo Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Carlos Alexander Guevara (March 2026).
With a career that combines precocity, interpretive maturity and constant growth, David García continues to consolidate himself as one of the young promises of Latin American piano, standing out both for his musical sensitivity and for his impressive technical mastery.
Mario Gomez
Mario Gomez is a Honduran pianist, educator, and collaborative artist based in Athens, Ohio. He began playing piano at the age of 10 and started formal classical piano studies at 14 at the Escuela de Música Victoriano López in his hometown of San Pedro Sula, Honduras. In 2020, he moved to the United States to pursue his undergraduate studies at Northwestern State University of Louisiana, where he studied piano with Dr. Francis Yang and distinguished himself as a performer and educator. During his time there, he served as a piano instructor at the NSU Music Academy and performed with a variety of ensembles, including the NSU Jazz Orchestra, NSU Jazz Combos, the Forsyth Jazz Collective, the Daniel Scott Quartet, Orpheus, and Cane River Singers. In May 2025, he graduated cum laude from Northwestern State University of Louisiana with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance.
Mario has performed as a soloist with the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra and the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Honduras. He was invited to perform with the Honduran National Symphony Orchestra as part of the First Sergio Suazo Lang International Piano Festival in Honduras.
Mario’s artistic achievements have been widely recognized. In 2025, he won the McCutcheon Honors Recital in the keyboard area of Northwestern State University of Louisiana, received top prize at the National Association of Negro Musicians Scholarship State Competition of Louisiana, and was also a finalist in the 2025 Ohio University School of Music Concerto Competition. In 2024, he was named Alternate at the Louisiana Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) State Competition. In 2023, he earned the Silver Medal at the Virtuoso Artists Festival and Second Prize at the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition. In 2022, he won First Prize at the Romantic Music Competition and was also the winner of the 2022 McCutcheon Honors Recital in the keyboard area at Northwestern State University. In 2021, he earned the Gold Medal at the Bach Festival. Additionally, he was a finalist in the 1st National Piano Competition of Honduras in 2016.
In 2025, Mario participated in the New Orleans Piano Institute, where he studied privately with Dustin Gledhill and performed in a masterclass for Alan Chow. He has also performed in masterclasses with Nadejda Vlaeva, Maxime Zecchini, Brian Hsu, and John Bloomfield.
Beyond performance, Mario maintains a strong interest in musicology and the humanities. In 2026, he presented his research topic, Jazz Ambassadors: Cold War Propaganda, Cultural Hegemony, and the Politics of Race, at the Ohio University Humanities Symposium. That same year, he wrote Rhythm, Identity, and Diaspora: Jazz-Garifuna Fusion in Julio Zelaya’s Music, a research project exploring cultural identity, hybridity, and Afro-diasporic musical traditions in contemporary Honduran music.
Since Fall 2025, Mario has been pursuing a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at Ohio University, where he studies with Mrs. Katherine Fisher and Dr. Christopher Fisher. He currently holds a graduate assistantship at Ohio University and serves as a piano instructor at the Athens Community Music School.
In his free time, Mario enjoys reading Latin American literature, watching art cinema, biking, and spending time with close friends.
Mario has performed as a soloist with the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra and the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Honduras. He was invited to perform with the Honduran National Symphony Orchestra as part of the First Sergio Suazo Lang International Piano Festival in Honduras.
Mario’s artistic achievements have been widely recognized. In 2025, he won the McCutcheon Honors Recital in the keyboard area of Northwestern State University of Louisiana, received top prize at the National Association of Negro Musicians Scholarship State Competition of Louisiana, and was also a finalist in the 2025 Ohio University School of Music Concerto Competition. In 2024, he was named Alternate at the Louisiana Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) State Competition. In 2023, he earned the Silver Medal at the Virtuoso Artists Festival and Second Prize at the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition. In 2022, he won First Prize at the Romantic Music Competition and was also the winner of the 2022 McCutcheon Honors Recital in the keyboard area at Northwestern State University. In 2021, he earned the Gold Medal at the Bach Festival. Additionally, he was a finalist in the 1st National Piano Competition of Honduras in 2016.
In 2025, Mario participated in the New Orleans Piano Institute, where he studied privately with Dustin Gledhill and performed in a masterclass for Alan Chow. He has also performed in masterclasses with Nadejda Vlaeva, Maxime Zecchini, Brian Hsu, and John Bloomfield.
Beyond performance, Mario maintains a strong interest in musicology and the humanities. In 2026, he presented his research topic, Jazz Ambassadors: Cold War Propaganda, Cultural Hegemony, and the Politics of Race, at the Ohio University Humanities Symposium. That same year, he wrote Rhythm, Identity, and Diaspora: Jazz-Garifuna Fusion in Julio Zelaya’s Music, a research project exploring cultural identity, hybridity, and Afro-diasporic musical traditions in contemporary Honduran music.
Since Fall 2025, Mario has been pursuing a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at Ohio University, where he studies with Mrs. Katherine Fisher and Dr. Christopher Fisher. He currently holds a graduate assistantship at Ohio University and serves as a piano instructor at the Athens Community Music School.
In his free time, Mario enjoys reading Latin American literature, watching art cinema, biking, and spending time with close friends.
Yu Lu
Yu Lu began her piano studies at the age of six. She was admitted to the Wuhan Conservatory of Music Affiliated Middle School in 2014, where she received rigorous professional training. In 2021, she entered the Wuhan Conservatory of Music for her undergraduate studies in Piano Performance under the tutelage of Dr. Xin Xin.
Yu has achieved remarkable success in numerous prestigious competitions, including:
1st Prize in the 4th Franz Liszt International Youth Piano Competition-China (2022) ; 1st Prize at the KAWAI Asia Piano Competition (Wuhan Division, 2023) ; 1st Prize at the Tchaikovsky International Music Competition (Hubei Division, 2023) ; 2nd Prize at the Steinway National Youth Piano Competition (Hubei Regional Final, 2023) ; 1st Prize at the "Yangtze River Piano Cup" Youth Music Competition (2023) ; 1st Prize at the Singapore International Young Pianist Competition (Preliminary Round, 2024) ; 1st Prize at the Germany Carl Rönisch International Piano Competition (Wuhan Division, 2024) Additionally, she was awarded the Second-Class Scholarship for Outstanding Students (2021-2022).
Currently, Yu continues to refine her studies as a second-year graduate student at the Ohio University School of Music where she is a student of Dr. Christopher Fisher.
Yu has achieved remarkable success in numerous prestigious competitions, including:
1st Prize in the 4th Franz Liszt International Youth Piano Competition-China (2022) ; 1st Prize at the KAWAI Asia Piano Competition (Wuhan Division, 2023) ; 1st Prize at the Tchaikovsky International Music Competition (Hubei Division, 2023) ; 2nd Prize at the Steinway National Youth Piano Competition (Hubei Regional Final, 2023) ; 1st Prize at the "Yangtze River Piano Cup" Youth Music Competition (2023) ; 1st Prize at the Singapore International Young Pianist Competition (Preliminary Round, 2024) ; 1st Prize at the Germany Carl Rönisch International Piano Competition (Wuhan Division, 2024) Additionally, she was awarded the Second-Class Scholarship for Outstanding Students (2021-2022).
Currently, Yu continues to refine her studies as a second-year graduate student at the Ohio University School of Music where she is a student of Dr. Christopher Fisher.
Audrey Marinelli
Audrey Marinelli grew up in New Hampshire and began her musical studies with piano lessons at age 6. During her high school years, she studied under Gregg Pauley and Mary Towse-Beck. While in high school, Audrey interned as a piano teacher at her local music academy. Through these experiences, she developed a passion for teaching piano and investing in students both musically and emotionally. She firmly believes in the social-emotional aspects of music education and the great responsibility of a music educator in stressing these aspects while teaching. Audrey’s passion for teaching and music compelled her to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Piano Pedagogy from Bob Jones University. During her undergraduate, she had the privilege of studying with Dr. Kenon Renfrow and Professor David Lehman. She was a recipient of several scholarships and competitions, which included being a finalist in BJU school of music’s commencement competitions. As a freshman, Audrey was awarded the Keyboard Studies Award in recognition of students displaying talent and dedication in studying piano. As a musician, one of Audrey’s passions is collaborating with other musicians, leading her to accompany a university girls’ choir, major lessons, multiple concerto competitions, visiting artists’ masterclasses, and workshops with Grammy award-winning conductor Richard Kaufman. Throughout undergrad, Audrey spent 2 years participating in a pedagogy internship, instilling in her a stronger passion to connect with students and develop her personal teaching skills. She also enjoyed interning as a choir accompanist for 2 years at the Greenville Youth Chorale. Currently, Audrey is pursuing a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at Ohio University, studying under Dr. Christopher Fisher.
Bruna Mello
Bruna Mello, born in Brazil, began studying piano at the age of 8. In 2021, she enrolled in a bachelor's degree program in piano performance at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), where she studied with Dr. Mauricy Martin and graduated in 2024. In 2025, she won third place in the Souza Lima Piano Competition, held in São Paulo by the Souza Lima Conservatory. Also in 2025, she won the Young Soloists Competition to perform with the Unicamp Symphony Orchestra. On that occasion, she played Mozart's Piano Concerto K. 413 in F major. Bruna is currently a first-year graduate student of Dr. Christopher Fisher at the Ohio University School of Music where she is pursuing the Master of Music degree in piano performance.
Alex Mikoulianitch
Alex Mikoulianitch is a Ukrainian-born pianist. Alex moved to Brooklyn, NY, at the age of five, where he began piano studies with renowned pianist Volodymyr Vynnytsky at the age of nine, with whom he studied until the age of 16. Alex is currently a first-year graduate student of Dr. Christopher Fisher at the Ohio University School of Music where he is pursuing the Master of Music degree in piano performance.
He graduated from Baruch College with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Creative Writing, continuing to study piano in his free time. After spending time working for independent publications, Alex completed a two-year intensive acting program at the prestigious William Esper Studio in NYC. He later worked as the Lead Content Writer for Prevu Real Estate before relocating to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he resumed his musical studies at the Conservatorio Superior de Música Manuel de Falla, studying under Valeria Briatico at the Nivel Superior in Piano Performance. It was here that Alex cemented his passion and dedication to pursuing a career in music.
Alex’s repertoire ranges from works by Beethoven, Chopin, and Bach to Brahms, Debussy, Scriabin, and Rachmaninoff. He has appeared in recitals at the Pont-le-Voy Music Festival in France, the Grazhda Arts Center in Hunter, NY, and at La Vidriera de DGEArt and Casa de La Cultura in Buenos Aires. He holds a particular passion for Beethoven’s works and actively pursues a strong interest in composition.
Griffin Nelson
Griffin Nelson is a senior undergraduate student in the Honors Tutorial College at Ohio University. He studies Piano Performance and Pedagogy in the studio of Dr. Christopher Fisher. Griffin’s love of music started at the age of 5 with violin and piano lessons from Rebekah Robertson, later advancing on to complete his pre-collegiate training with Mayde Robertson. During his time in the Robertson Piano Studio, Griffin was awarded numerous titles of “Unanimous Superior” at NFMC Festivals for his accomplishment in the piano solo, piano duet, and music theory events. He began attending summer music camps in 2021, earning scholarships to study composition under Dr. Jennifer Merkowitz at the Otterbein Music Summer Camp, as well as chamber music with the Wyoming Fine Arts Center.
As a current student of Dr. Fisher, Griffin has participated in several competitions, earning honorable mentions in the Young Artist division in the piano solo and piano duet categories of the OhioMTA/Graves Piano Competition in 2025, as well as being honorably mentioned in the Senior division for piano solo in 2024. In April 2025, he completed his Junior Piano Recital with a program of Beethoven, Scriabin, Rachmaninoff and Brahms. He has held the position of Secretary & Social Media Manager for the MTNA collegiate chapter of Southeast Ohio. Through MNTA, he has volunteered as a masterclass clinician and day camp educator, working closely with Ilana Cady and Wenhao Zhang. As a composer, Griffin has been able to maximize his opportunities through the Honors Tutorial College, writing piano music ranging from intermediate preludes to a movement of a piano concerto. Recently, he has been commissioned by the piano studio of Claire Black to write music spanning early-elementary to early-advanced levels.
Griffin thoroughly enjoys the world and culture of classical music. His deep admiration for the repertoire fuels his inspiration to perform, compose, teach, and shine a spotlight on the enriching value of an education in music.
As a current student of Dr. Fisher, Griffin has participated in several competitions, earning honorable mentions in the Young Artist division in the piano solo and piano duet categories of the OhioMTA/Graves Piano Competition in 2025, as well as being honorably mentioned in the Senior division for piano solo in 2024. In April 2025, he completed his Junior Piano Recital with a program of Beethoven, Scriabin, Rachmaninoff and Brahms. He has held the position of Secretary & Social Media Manager for the MTNA collegiate chapter of Southeast Ohio. Through MNTA, he has volunteered as a masterclass clinician and day camp educator, working closely with Ilana Cady and Wenhao Zhang. As a composer, Griffin has been able to maximize his opportunities through the Honors Tutorial College, writing piano music ranging from intermediate preludes to a movement of a piano concerto. Recently, he has been commissioned by the piano studio of Claire Black to write music spanning early-elementary to early-advanced levels.
Griffin thoroughly enjoys the world and culture of classical music. His deep admiration for the repertoire fuels his inspiration to perform, compose, teach, and shine a spotlight on the enriching value of an education in music.
Alejandro Orta
Venezuelan pianist Alejandro Orta is a second-year graduate student in the studio of Dr. Christopher Fisher at the Ohio University School of Music where he is pursuing the MM in piano performance.
A laureate of numerous competitions in both the United States and his home country, his recent accolades include first place in New Albany Symphony's 2024 Student Concerto Competition and the 2021 Graves/OhioMTA Young Artist Competition, as well as the Senior Division winner of the 2021 Ohio University School of Music High School Concerto Competition, in which he performed the Liszt Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Concerto with the Ohio University Symphony Orchestra. In August 2024, Alejandro was selected to be a member of the American Pops Orchestra to perform in the Kennedy Center for the 37th Hispanic Heritage Awards.
He has participated in master classes with renowned pianists such as Jean-Yves Thibaudet, George Li, Henry Kramer, Dominic Cheli, Kate Liu, and Mackenzie Melemed.
Alejandro graduated in May 2025 from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, summa cum laude, from the Honors Tutorial College. His graduating thesis explored "Strategies for Fostering Classical Music Engagement in Young Audiences."
Alejandro began his piano studies at the age of eight with Professor Elizabeth Guerrero at the Juan José Landaeta National Conservatory of Music in Venezuela. There, he cultivated his passion and love for music, performing in concerts and recitals. He participated in the second level of the XI Silvia Eisenstein National Piano Competition in 2011, winning first prize, the Best Sonatina Performance Award, and the Best Venezuelan Work Performance Award. He also performed in La Fete de la Musique (sponsored by the French Embassy) in 2010 and 2013.
At the age of 13, he continued his piano studies with Professor Carlos Urbaneja Silva at the Mozarteum Caracas School of Music. In 2016, he received the second prize in the fifth level of the XIII Silvia Eisenstein National Piano Competition. Alejandro was selected to participate in the National Youth Orchestra of Venezuela, performing with Maestro Gustavo Dudamel on an international tour in 2017. He has also performed the Mozart Piano Concerto No. 23 with the National Philharmonic Orchestra (Venezuela) and conductor Daniel Gil, followed by performances of Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 1 and Liszt Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Municipal Orchestra of Caracas under the baton of Maestro Rodolfo Saglimbeni. He has performed in all of the major concert venues in Caracas, including the José Félix Ribas Concert Hall of the Teresa Carreño Theater, Simón Bolívar Hall, Humboldt Cultural Association, BOD Cultural Center, Anna Julia Rojas Hall, Villa Planchart, among others.
A laureate of numerous competitions in both the United States and his home country, his recent accolades include first place in New Albany Symphony's 2024 Student Concerto Competition and the 2021 Graves/OhioMTA Young Artist Competition, as well as the Senior Division winner of the 2021 Ohio University School of Music High School Concerto Competition, in which he performed the Liszt Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Concerto with the Ohio University Symphony Orchestra. In August 2024, Alejandro was selected to be a member of the American Pops Orchestra to perform in the Kennedy Center for the 37th Hispanic Heritage Awards.
He has participated in master classes with renowned pianists such as Jean-Yves Thibaudet, George Li, Henry Kramer, Dominic Cheli, Kate Liu, and Mackenzie Melemed.
Alejandro graduated in May 2025 from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, summa cum laude, from the Honors Tutorial College. His graduating thesis explored "Strategies for Fostering Classical Music Engagement in Young Audiences."
Alejandro began his piano studies at the age of eight with Professor Elizabeth Guerrero at the Juan José Landaeta National Conservatory of Music in Venezuela. There, he cultivated his passion and love for music, performing in concerts and recitals. He participated in the second level of the XI Silvia Eisenstein National Piano Competition in 2011, winning first prize, the Best Sonatina Performance Award, and the Best Venezuelan Work Performance Award. He also performed in La Fete de la Musique (sponsored by the French Embassy) in 2010 and 2013.
At the age of 13, he continued his piano studies with Professor Carlos Urbaneja Silva at the Mozarteum Caracas School of Music. In 2016, he received the second prize in the fifth level of the XIII Silvia Eisenstein National Piano Competition. Alejandro was selected to participate in the National Youth Orchestra of Venezuela, performing with Maestro Gustavo Dudamel on an international tour in 2017. He has also performed the Mozart Piano Concerto No. 23 with the National Philharmonic Orchestra (Venezuela) and conductor Daniel Gil, followed by performances of Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 1 and Liszt Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Municipal Orchestra of Caracas under the baton of Maestro Rodolfo Saglimbeni. He has performed in all of the major concert venues in Caracas, including the José Félix Ribas Concert Hall of the Teresa Carreño Theater, Simón Bolívar Hall, Humboldt Cultural Association, BOD Cultural Center, Anna Julia Rojas Hall, Villa Planchart, among others.
Caden Potter
Caden Potter is a second-year graduate student at the Ohio University School of Music where is is a student of Dr. Christopher Fisher. Originally from Surprise, Arizona, he began taking piano lessons in 2nd grade and began percussion in 4th grade. In the fall of 2022, Caden was named Alternate (Second Prize) in the Ohio Division of the Music Teachers National Association Young Artist Competition. As first prize winner of the 2023 New Albany Symphony Orchestra Concert Competition, Caden will give two performances of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue with New Albany Symphony Orchestra in March of 2023 as part of their subscriptions concert series.
Caden served as percussionist and timpanist with the Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestras (PYSO) for five years and, in 2019, soloed on piano with PYSO at the Mesa Center for the Arts after winning the API Piano Concerto Competition. In 2021 Caden soloed with the PYSO percussion ensemble on marimba and was a winner of the 2021 Ohio University School of Music High School Concerto Competition.
Caden studied piano with Olga Gorelik for the last six years and percussion with Liz Guzman for the past 4 years. He has attended multiple music festivals, participated in competitions and studied with teachers such as Pavlina Dokovska, Eugene Pridonoff, Eliasabeth Pridonoff, Eckart Sellheim, Dian Baker, Dr. Barbara Fast, Dr. Emely Phelps, Dr. Christopher Fisher, Dr. Jay Roberts, Drew Le, Silvan Negrutiu, Eliran Avni, Yuri Kot, and Heidi Williams. Caden has taken percussion lessons and master classes with Mika Stoltzman, John Kasica, Roger Braun, Michael Competello, Matthew Holm, Katherine Stonefelt and Liz Guzman.
Caden enjoys collaborating with other musicians, especially his twin sister, Gracie (trombone), his older sister, Emma (french horn) and playing piano duets with his younger sister, Lily. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, learning about history, playing board games with family and friends and, of course, video games.
Caden served as percussionist and timpanist with the Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestras (PYSO) for five years and, in 2019, soloed on piano with PYSO at the Mesa Center for the Arts after winning the API Piano Concerto Competition. In 2021 Caden soloed with the PYSO percussion ensemble on marimba and was a winner of the 2021 Ohio University School of Music High School Concerto Competition.
Caden studied piano with Olga Gorelik for the last six years and percussion with Liz Guzman for the past 4 years. He has attended multiple music festivals, participated in competitions and studied with teachers such as Pavlina Dokovska, Eugene Pridonoff, Eliasabeth Pridonoff, Eckart Sellheim, Dian Baker, Dr. Barbara Fast, Dr. Emely Phelps, Dr. Christopher Fisher, Dr. Jay Roberts, Drew Le, Silvan Negrutiu, Eliran Avni, Yuri Kot, and Heidi Williams. Caden has taken percussion lessons and master classes with Mika Stoltzman, John Kasica, Roger Braun, Michael Competello, Matthew Holm, Katherine Stonefelt and Liz Guzman.
Caden enjoys collaborating with other musicians, especially his twin sister, Gracie (trombone), his older sister, Emma (french horn) and playing piano duets with his younger sister, Lily. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, learning about history, playing board games with family and friends and, of course, video games.
Raul Rana
Raul Rana is a second-year undergraduate student at Ohio University studying Piano Performance in Dr. Christopher Fisher’s studio. Raul began his piano journey at the ripe age of 5 years old. Born in Athens, Ohio, he began lessons with the Athens Community Music School following in his sister, Kristina’s, footsteps. He has had a few teachers in the school, but his most impactful instructor was Dr. Anne Scotto. She always believed in his potential and was a major factor in deciding to pursue piano. Raul was always a rhythmic child and before beginning piano lessons he began percussion lessons. Both piano and percussion have made a great impact on his life. Raul has been a part of various musical ensembles such as jazz bands and wind bands doing both percussion and piano.
Raul has competed in a Sonatina Festival competition and achieved first prize in the highest category. Although Raul has not competed in many piano competitions, his love for the instrument will fill out those spaces and eventually push him into competition.
Many people in Raul’s life could say that he is deeply in love with the piano as an instrument and music as a culture. He says that nothing is more enjoyable and lovely than a good concert, whether that be performing in it or watching it. He has a strong belief that we, as musicians, should branch out from standard western music and take a look at various pieces and composers from countries in different continents. Because of this belief, he hopes to eventually study ethnomusicology in later stages of his life alongside his performance. Finally, he believes that art will save the world whether it be now or in the distant future, it’ll happen, we just have to create and perform.
Raul has competed in a Sonatina Festival competition and achieved first prize in the highest category. Although Raul has not competed in many piano competitions, his love for the instrument will fill out those spaces and eventually push him into competition.
Many people in Raul’s life could say that he is deeply in love with the piano as an instrument and music as a culture. He says that nothing is more enjoyable and lovely than a good concert, whether that be performing in it or watching it. He has a strong belief that we, as musicians, should branch out from standard western music and take a look at various pieces and composers from countries in different continents. Because of this belief, he hopes to eventually study ethnomusicology in later stages of his life alongside his performance. Finally, he believes that art will save the world whether it be now or in the distant future, it’ll happen, we just have to create and perform.
Xinran Zhou
Xinran Zhou enrolled in Wuhan Conservatory of Music in 2022 and claimed the second prize of SIYPC that year. Received guidance from Professor Denis Chefanov of Gnessin State Musical College in 2023, and won the open group second prize at Bluthner International Festival in 2024. Achieved excellent results in the university group of the 18th Shanghai International Youth Piano Competition in 2025, and studied under renowned masters including Xu Hong, Eric Zuber and Deborah Moriarty at the 2nd Asian Piano Academy. She is currently a first-year graduate student of Dr. Christopher Fisher at the Ohio University School of Music where she is pursuing the Master of Music degree in piano performance.
