UAH hosts first annual Piano Competition & Festival

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (April 17, 2014) – The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) held its first annual Piano Competition & Festival last month at Roberts Recital Hall on the UAH campus.

Designed to inspire young pianists to strive for artistic excellence and to promote piano playing in the area, the competition was open to students between the ages of 11 and 18 who reside in the states of Alabama and Tennessee.

"This was the first all-day piano event in the Huntsville area," says Dr. Melody Ng, Assistant Professor and Artist-Teacher of Piano in the Department of Music in UAH's College of Liberal Arts. "Plus, this is the only piano competition thus far in Huntsville that is completely opened to public."

Senior category first-prize winner, Tanner Christian, who will be attending UAH this coming fall as engineering major.

Senior category second-prize winner, Christopher Bandy.

Senior category third-prize winner, Dane Rich, who will be attending UAH this coming fall as engineering major.

The competition was divided into two categories – Junior (ages 11-14) and Senior (ages 15-18) – with prizes awarded to the top three performers in each. The winners were as follows:

1. Sarah Han
2. Alison Hu
3. Joey Li

1. Tanner Christian
2. Christopher Bandy
3. Dane Rich

"This was a very exciting day filled with great piano playing from young and enthusiastic local pianists from the state," says Dr. Ng. "Parents, teachers, and young pianists have all given positive feedback on this educational and rewarding event, so we are looking forward to hosting it again next spring."