November 17, 2004
BRISBANE, CA—The winners of the 1st Annual Palatino Piano Contest For Youths were selected on Oct. 30 after an exciting final competition showcasing the best and brightest local talent.
Fourteen-year-old Kenric Tam of Los Altos Hills, CA, won 1st place and was awarded a custom Palatino grand piano with gold leaf lettering to commemorate the competition. Dana Pan of Davis, CA, won 2nd place at Palatino’s first piano contest. The 17-year-old Pan was awarded a Messina model Palatino vertical piano.
Tam performed an amazing rendition of Franz Liszt’s “Tarantella,” while Pan performed Liszt’s “La Companella” during the final competition at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Burlingame, CA. All top 17 finalists received a certificate of achievement for participating in the final competition.
Tam has been an avid piano player for many years, participating in MTNA competitions and the Stravinsky International Piano Competition in Illinois.
More than 80 demo tapes from players in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond were submitted for a chance to compete and win a Palatino grand piano. Contestants had to be 18 years old or younger and submit a tape or video demo, among other requirements.
A panel of judges screened 53 contestants on Oct. 9 at the headquarters of Palatino USA in Brisbane, CA. Contestants had to play for approximately 10 minutes with the choice of playing either a Palatino grand or vertical piano.
The top 17 were selected for a final competition held Oct. 30. Over 400 people attended the event, with performances from some of the youngest and most talented piano players in the region.
Palatino pianos Vice President Sherry Cornett said she was impressed by the overall support for the contestants from family and friends.
“The professionalism and level of ability of all of the contestants was amazing, especially when you consider they were all under 18,” Cornett said.
In selecting the winners, five judges gave grades in overall performance, interpretation, technique, rhythm and stage presence.
This year’s competition was sponsored by AXL, The Music Link and Sing Tao Daily, a Bay Area Chinese newspaper. The event was promoted through newspaper ads, radio announcements and flyers.
Next year’s competition will be even bigger and more amazing when the annual event is national. Students from all over the U.S. will be able to perform for a chance to win a beautiful Palatino piano.
Palatino has eight models of grand and vertical pianos, all available in a variety of finishes. Palatino pianos are some of the most affordable and best sounding world-class pianos in the market.
Palatino, a division of The Music Link, is also the maker of beautiful string and wind instruments.
MORE INFORMATION
Grand Pianos
Vertical Pianos
