3rd Prize - Jihee Moon

Korean pianist Jihee Moon is an emerging artist recognized for her poetic sensitivity, intellectual depth, and compelling virtuosity. She is currently pursuing a Master of Music at the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University Bloomington, where she studies with Norman Krieger on a full scholarship. In addition to her studies, she serves as an Assistant Instructor, contributing actively to the school’s vibrant pedagogical community. Before arriving at Indiana University, Jihee earned her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with Ran Dank and Natalya Antonova. She also received the Eastman Chamber Music Certificate and minored in Music Cognition (Brain and Cognitive Sciences), a field that continues to inform her performance philosophy. Her artistic development is rooted in a distinguished lineage of teachers, including Yoahn Kwon, Minjee Lee, and Mikyung Kim, whose diverse pedagogical traditions have shaped her into a pianist of notable versatility. Her recent season included a solo appearance with the Brevard Music Center Orchestra under the baton of Ken Lam, as well as recital performances at Parker Concert Hall, Auer Hall, and Van Cliburn Concert Hall. Earlier highlights include her Eastman recital at Kilbourn Hall and appearances at the Piano Texas International Festival and the New Paltz Piano Summer Festival. She has also appeared in notable events such as the “Back to the Future” Live Concert in Truro, Massachusetts, and the annual concert of the YMCA Symphony Orchestra in Korea. Jihee’s competition record is distinguished. She has won First Prize at the Indianapolis Matinee Musicale Competition, received the Mildred E. Allen Memorial Piano Award, and was the winner of both the Jan and Beattie Wood Concerto Competition and the Brevard Piano Solo Competition. She was also a finalist at the San Francisco International Piano Competition. Additional honors include Second Prize at the Korean New York Daily Times Symphony Orchestra Competition, semifinalist at the Washington International Piano Competition, and top prizes at the Crescendo International Music Competition, Soongsil University Piano Competition, and Korea Young Artist Music Competition. Her awards further include the prestigious Muriel E. Klepper Scholarship and the Gabriel Ritz Saphar Piano Scholarship. In 2026, she has been invited to participate in the Dallas International Piano Competition and the Concurso Internacional de Piano Premio Jaén. Equally committed to contemporary artistry and performance outreach, Jihee has participated in numerous community and educational projects. Through the Eastman To Go program, she designed and presented lecture-performances for students in Rochester-area schools, integrating live demonstration, storytelling, and music education—continuing outreach work she began as a young artist in South Korea. Through her performances, Jihee Moon continues to explore the expressive depth of the piano, captivating audiences with interpretations that balance intellectual insight and emotional immediacy, while actively sharing music across diverse artistic and community settings.

Honorable Mention - Fiona Wu

Born in Fountain Valley, California, Fiona Wu is an accomplished pianist currently pursuing a Master of Music in Piano Performance at The Juilliard School, studying under Professor Soyeon Kate Lee. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Professor Angela Cheng, and also minored in Computer Science, integrating her musical artistry with technological exploration.

A decorated performer, Fiona has earned numerous accolades in national and international competitions. At just nine years old, she captured three First Prizes at the Asian Piano Open Competition in Hong Kong in the Children, Junior, and Liszt Memorial Prize categories, and the following year received the Chopin Impromptu Prize. She also won Second Prize at the Japan Classical Music Competition in Tokyo, Second Prize at the Peter Takacs Beethoven Competition, First Prize at the International Art and Music Festival Piano Competition, and Third Prize at the Osaka International Music Competition.

Fiona has graced the stages of esteemed music festivals, including the Sejong International Music Festival, Lee University Piano Festival, Enlightenment Summer Music Festival, Rebecca Penneys Piano Festival, PianoTexas International Festival & Academy, Frost Chopin Academy and Festival, and the Chicago International Music Competition and Festival. She gave her debut solo recital at the age of twelve, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey as a performer.

Beyond her musical accolades, Fiona is a passionate advocate for music education. From 2018 to 2021, she served as the Global and Regional Director of the Back to Bach Project, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing classical music to underprivileged schoolchildren and promoting music education in Taiwan. Through her artistry and leadership, Fiona continues to inspire and uplift others, leaving a lasting impact both on and off the stage.