Winners Announced for the 2023 Cleveland International Piano Competition for Young Artists

CLEVELAND, OH – July 16, 2023 The world’s rising piano stars put on brilliant performances over the course of 12 days, culminating on Saturday evening at Gartner Auditorium with the Final Concerto Round performances. The winners of the 2023 Cleveland International Piano Competition for Young Artists (CIPC for Young Artists) were named at the award ceremony, directly following the performances with the Canton Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Steven Byess.

The Finalists of the CIPC for Young Artists are among the most skilled individuals in their age group, gathering in Cleveland from countries around the globe. “These brilliant young artists brought passion, musical expertise, and personality to their performances,” said Yaron Kohlberg, President of Piano Cleveland. “We are privileged and inspired to witness their extraordinary artistry on stage as they presented the next generation of classical music to audiences around the world.”

Piano Cleveland is proud to announce the 2023 Cleveland International Piano Competition for Young Artists Prize Winners:

SENIOR DIVISION (AGES 15 - 18)

First Prize ($10,000): Saehyun Kim - 16, South Korea
Second Prize ($5,000): Yanyan Bao - 16, China
Third Prize ($2,500): Ryan Wang - 15, Canada

JUNIOR DIVISION (AGES 11 - 14)  
First Prize ($5,000): Elisey Mysin - 12, Russia
Second Prize ($2,500): Qinyaoyao Ji - 13, China
Third Prize ($1,500): Zhonghua Wei - 14, China

SPECIAL PRIZES (Available to all 32 CIPC for Young Artist Contestants)
Bach ($500): Zhonghua Wei - 14, China
Beethoven ($500): Zhexiang Li - 17, China
Chopin ($500): Seokyoung Hong - 15, South Korea)
Mozart (Prize Tie, $250 to Each Winner): Yanyan Bao - 16, China, Elisey Mysin - 12, Russia
Audience Prize Senior Division ($500): Saehyun Kim - 16, South Korea
Audience Prize Junior Division ($500): Elisey Mysin - 12, Russia
Junior Jury Prize, Senior Division ($500): Saehyun Kim - 16, South Korea
Junior Jury Prize, Junior Division ($500): Qinyaoyao Ji - 13, China

In addition to monetary prizes, one or more of the Junior and Senior Division prize winners will have several unique performance opportunities, including a featured solo performance with the North Mississippi Symphony and Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra, invited performances as part of the 2024 International Keyboard Odyssiad® and Festival, and the opportunity to be invited back to work with Piano Cleveland.

Following the awards ceremony, the Finalists will perform with fellow contestants and members of The Cleveland International Piano Institute during the Clair de Lune Gala benefit dinner today, July 16 at the InterContinental Cleveland.

For more information on the Cleveland International Piano Competition for Young Artists, prize winners, and sponsors, visit pianocleveland.org.

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About Piano Cleveland
Piano Cleveland promotes Cleveland as a premier piano destination by presenting world-class programming, community engagement, and education initiatives. The organization’s four major programs and events include the Cleveland International Piano Competition, the CIPC for Young Artists, a mixed-genre piano festival, and year-round education and community engagement programming