
Artists-IN-Residence
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE 2021-
MASTER PROGRAMME
Nikita KHNYKIN
HIGHLIGHTS
Invited by Leif Ove Andsnes to Rosendal Chamber Music Festival 2024, performing with world-class musicians such as Wenzel Fuchs, Victor Julien-Laferrière and Florian Donderer.
Soloist with orchestras in livestreamed and broadcasted performances (NRK), including the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Norwegian Radio Orchestra and Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra.
Recipient of the Robert Levin Prize (2022), nominee for the Norwegian Soloist Prize and Equinor Music Award (2023).
Winner of every national piano competition in Norway, earning all possible awards in the Norwegian National Music Competition 2020: First Prize, Audience Prize, EMCY Prize for Exceptional Performance and named "Talent of the Year".
Organized and led an orchestra and choir with musicians from Sweden and Norway in performances of Beethoven's Choral Fantasy and Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21, "Elvira Madigan", in May 2024.
VISITING ARTIST 2022-
ARTIST DIPLOMA
Gabriele STrata
HIGHLIGHTS
Prize “Premio Una vita nella musica giovani 2021”, awarded by Teatro la Fenice — previously given to figures such as Arthur Rubinstein, Yehudi Menuhin, Alfred Brendel, Daniel Barenboim
Recitals and concerto appearances in Wigmore Hall, Barbican Centre, Cadogan Hall (London), Het Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Teatro la Fenice (Venice), Laeiszhalle (Hamburg), Philharmonic Hall (Bratislava), among others
Plaque of the Italian President and Italian Senate for artistic achievements
1st Prize winner at XXV Premio Venezia, and Young Classical Artist Trust finalist (2022)
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE 2021-
MASTER PROGRAMME
SEBASTIAN IIVONEN
HIGHLIGHTS
Orchestral debut in Stockholm at the age of 10
Invitation by the “Vladimir Spivakov Foundation” at the age of 14 to perform at the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall in Moscow
1st prizes in Steinway Stockholm, Malmö Piano Festival, Nice, Côte d’azur, Musica Classica Tenerife, Musical Fireworks Baden-Württemberg Piano Competitions
Most active young Swedish pianist, having performed in almost all halls and concert societies in Sweden
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
2022-
MASTER PROGRAMME
Astri Aareskjold
SWEDEN/NORWAY
HIGHLIGHTS
Kraus music prize 2020 awarded by a jury from the Royal Swedish Opera.
Iris scholarship for "promising women", 2020
Lövstabruk chamber music festival's Young Musician prize winner of 2018. 2nd prize in Stockholm International music Competition 2017.
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
2024-
MASTER PROGRAMME
Julie Haismann
HIGHLIGHTS
Performances in many festivals in France and abroad such as Festival du Vercors, En blanc et noir and Casino al Prado in Sitges
Performed Brahms 2nd Piano Concerto in Paris, with Paris CRR Symphonic Orchestra
In 2023, 2nd prize with cellist Robin de Talhouët of Cambra Románica International Competition
Artistic Director of the Festival de l'Arcouest
Finalist of the 3rd Samson François International Competition
Website: www.juliehaismann.com
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
2023-
HERMANN PELLBÄCK
SWEDEN
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HIGHLIGHTS
Performed
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
2023-
FRANCIS KARPENSKIS
LATVIA
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HIGHLIGHTS
Performed
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
2024-2025
DANIIL MICKEVICH
LATVIA
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HIGHLIGHTS
ERASMUS
VISITING ARTIST 2022-
Adi Neuhaus
ISRAEL
HIGHLIGHTS
Performed recitals at prestegius halls such as Maison de la Radio France in Paris, Hong Kong Academy for performing arts , Philharmonic hall of Saint-Petersburg, Gartner Auditorium in Cleveland and opened the season of “Les Pianissimes” at Salle Cortot in Paris.
Apeared as solist with the Georgian National Philharmonic Orchestra, the Israeli Chamber Orchestra, the Alicante Symphony Orchestra, the Ashdod Symphony Orchestra (under the direction of Lahav Shani) and the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra (under the baton of Frederic Chaslin).
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
2019-2024
Aristo Sham
HIGHLIGHTS
Debut with Sir Simon Rattle and London Symphony Orchestra in September 2019, playing Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3
Performed on 5 continents, including for the ex-President of China Hu Jintao, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of York
Prizewinner of Vendome Prize at Verbier Festival, Casagrande, Gina Bachauer, Dublin, Viotti, and Clara Haskil International Piano Competitions
In addition to music, Aristo holds a BA in Economics from Harvard University
Featured in the UK documentary "The World's Greatest Piano Prodigies"
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE 2020-2023
Tony Yike Yang
HIGHLIGHTS
Youngest-ever prizewinner of the Chopin International Piano Competition, Warsaw (5th Prize, 2015)
Performances with orchestras such as the Cleveland Orchestra, the Warsaw Philharmonic, Orchestre Métropolitain, and for Canadian ex-Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Polish President Andrzej Duda
Prizewinner of the Van Cliburn (also youngest), Thomas and Evon Cooper, Bösendorfer, Hilton Head, Gina Bachauer Competitions
Youth cultural ambassador to the city of Guangzhou, and music consultant for the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen)
Currently pursuing a BA in Economics at Harvard University alongside a performing career
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE 2021-2023
AURELIA SHIMKUS
HIGHLIGHTS
Winner of the German music prize “ECHO KLASSIK 2016” in the category “Young Artist of the Year”
Two solo albums released to great critical acclaim: BACH (2016) and SCHERZO (2013) on the German label ‘’Ars Produktion’’
Performances with such orchestras as the English Chamber Orchestra, the Dortmund Philharmonic, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra of Latvia.
Performances in prestigious halls such as the Konzerthaus Dortmund, Tonhalle Zurich, Rheingoldhalle Mainz and many others.
Prizewinner of the ‘’Kissiniger Klavierolymp’ in 2013
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE 2022-2023
Umberto Ruboni
HIGHLIGHTS
Performed Chopin 1st Piano Concerto in Milan, Sala Verdi Hall, with OSCOM Symphony Orchestra
Winner of the Milan Conservatory Prize both as soloist and chamber musician
Recitals in amazing places and concert halls such as Sala Verdi, Teatro alla Scala Museum in Milan, Venaria Reale Palace in Turin, Palazzo Albrizzi in Venice, Sala Casella in Rome, Grenoble Palace in Naples
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE 2022-2023
TATU ESKELINEN
FINLAND
HIGHLIGHTS
Toured in Japan with an all-Sibelius program
Performed in more than ten European countries as a soloist and chamber musician
Prizewinner in the Nordic Piano Competition 2019, Helsinki Lied Competition, Helmi Vesa Competition and several more
Performed with Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra and Joensuu City Orchestra among others
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE 2021-2023
John Nalan
HIGHLIGHTS
1st prizes in Berlingske Tidendes Copenhagen, Steinway Stockholm, Bradshaw & Buono
Performed in major concert venues in Sweden and abroad, i.a. Carnegie Hall, Konzerthaus Vienna, Laeiszhalle Hamburg and more
Young Steinway Artist
Winner of the Young Soloists in Bergen
ARTIST 2023-2024
Kristian Riisager
HIGHLIGHTS
In Autumn 2022 Kristian will release his debut CD with music by Beethoven featuring recordings of the Eroica-Variations and the Appassionata Sonata.
In 2021 Kristian and soprano Louise McClelland Jacobsen won 1st prize in the Rued Langgaard-competition, where they performed lieder by the danish composer Rued Langgaard.
Kristian has been granted a Steinway Grand Piano for practicing during his studies by the Augustinus Foundation.
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
2016-2020
DAUMANTS LIEPINS
HIGHLIGHTS
First Prize winner of the Vendome Prize at Verbier Festival, and Maria Canals International Piano Competition
Number 1 on "Pianists to Look Out For in 2020" – Pianist Magazine
Invitations to perform at top venues like: Verbier Festival, Palau de la Musica in Barcelona and Riga Jurmala Festival
Prizewinner of Enescu, Tbilisi, and James Mottram Piano Competitions
VISITING ARTIST
2019-2023
JEAN-BAPTISTE DOULCET
HIGHLIGHTS
One of France's rising stars in classical music – renowned pianist, improviser, and composer
Performances and improvisation concerts in distinguished halls and festivals such as the Paris Philharmonie, Salle Gaveau, and La Roque d'Anthéron
Prizewinner of the Long-Thibaud, Clara Haskil, and Nordic Piano Competitions
Composer of over 20 works, including a commission by Gewandhaus Leipzig for his second string quartet
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
2020-2023
Jodyline Gallavardin
HIGHLIGHTS
Laureate of the prestigious Foundation Banque Populaire in France, including publication of her first CD recording in 2021
Performances in many festivals in France and abroad such as Pianissimes, Piano City in Milano, and Jeunes Talents
Invitation by the French Embassy to perform in Turkmenistan
Special Prize in the Nordic Piano Competition
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
2020-2021
KaJeng Wong
HIGHLIGHTS
First Prize and Chamber Prize in the Alaska Piano-e-competition
Third Prize in Maria Canals International Piano Competition
Performances at the Esplanade in Singapore, Shanghai Concert Hall, and Palau de la Musica Catalana
Artistic Director of the Music Lab Festival HK
Feature documentary about his teenage life, “KJ: Music & Life”, was awarded Best Documentary at the Golden Horse Awards
Debut Album ‘Seasons of Life’ released 2020
ARTIST
FILIP MICHALAK
HIGHLIGHTS
Artistic Director of the Södertälje Chamber Music Festival
Artist of “The Keyboard Charitable Trust” based in London (UK)
1st Prize in the International Piano Competition “Stars at Tenerife” (Spain), “Chopin Prize” (UK), and “Nordjylland Talentkonkurrence” (Denmark)
Finalist of the “8th Nordic Piano Competition”
Recipient of “Hanna Lunds Musiklegat” Scholarship
CD release of “Back to my roots” with music by Szymanowski, Bacewicz and Chopin in 2021
ARTIST
JUAN MAS CHOCLÁN
HIGHLIGHTS
Awarded by the Queen Elisabeth of Spain with the National Musical Scholarship, given in Madrid’s main concert hall
Prizewinner in Birmingham, Siguenza, and Xativa International Piano Competitions
Recipient of the ABRSM full scholarship for Bachelor studies in the United Kingdom
Recitals in Poland, Netherlands, UK and Spain
ARTIST
ANAÏS CASSIERS
HIGHLIGHTS
International brand ambassador of the A440 concert platform
Prizewinner of Princess Lalla Meryem, Moroccan, Breughel and Steinway Belgium Competitions
Performances in prestigious festivals such as Helsingborg, Balades Musicales de Rixensart, and Midis-Minimes
Concerto performances with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of Liège, Dalarna Chamber Orchestra, and others
Finalist in Nordic Piano Competition 2019
ARTIST
GUSTAV KROGH PIEKUT
HIGHLIGHTS
One of the leading young Scandinavian pianists
Winner of four prizes in the Aarhus International Piano Competition, Danish Music Reviewer’s Prize, Danish Broadcasting Corporations’s Prize and many others
Renowned debut album receiving five-star review in Pianist Magazine
Artistic director of the Festival & Friends chamber music festival in Copenhagen