The Royal Conservatory Announces Winners of the Music Lights the Way Piano Festival

Published on March 23, 2023

Piano students from across Canada and the United States competed for over $150,000 in prizing, provided by Yamaha

Music Lights the Way Piano Festival Judges and Winners

The Royal Conservatory of Music announced the fourteen Winners of the Music Lights the Way Piano Festival live from the Finale at Koerner Hall in Toronto, ON. Competing for over $150,000 in prizing, provided by Yamaha, the winners were selected from nearly 8,000 participants of all ages and abilities who showcased their love for music through performances of piano repertoire from the Celebration Series^®, Sixth Edition.

Ranging in age from seven to eighteen, twenty Youth Finalists in the Intermediate and Advanced Level categories traveled to Toronto from across Canada and the United States to compete for the grand prize in their category.

The live Finals were judged by James Anagnoson, Robi Botos, Naida Cole, Julie Nesrallah, and Tony Yike Yang.

The Intermediate and Advanced Level Winners from the Youth Division are:

Level 5: Margaret Aviya Whitelaw, Michigan | From the studio of Dr. Petya Stavreva
Level 6: Darwin Chen, Manitoba | From the studio of Sherridan Anderson
Level 7: Evan Siu Jun Lin, British Columbia | From the studio of Peggy P. Yip
Level 8: Layla Deng, British Columbia | From the studio of Edward Leung
Level 9: Leping Ho, Ontario | From the studio of Dr. Michael Berkovsky
Level 10: Ana Nikolova, Ontario | From the studio of Dr. Petya Stavreva

Ana Nikolova, the Level 10 winner, is the recipient of the grand prize, a Yamaha GC series Acoustic grand piano, valued at over $40,000.

Choosing a winner for each category was a challenging task, as every finalist brought their own unique style to their performances. It was a joy to hear these outstanding students playing with such confidence and passion.

Dr. Naida Cole,
Music Lights the Way Piano Festival Finale Judge

A panel of seven distinguished members of The RCM College of Examiners formed the jury for the Virtual Finals, selecting winners for the Youth Elementary categories and the Adult Division.

The Elementary Level First Prize Winners from the Youth Division are:

Prep A & B: Naomi Baumann, Washington | From the studio of Tanya Otto
Level 1: Mason Lee, California | From the studio of Yoko Hoshihara
Level 2: Sarina Razaghi, California | From the studio of Rowena F. Asuncion
Level 4: Mason Cheang, Texas | From the studio of Dr. Susan Groves
Level 5: Angel Toku, California | From the studio of Yoko Hoshihara

The Music Lights the Way Piano Festival also included an Adult Division, with three non-competitive categories for piano students 20 years and older.

The Jury Favorites from the Adult Division are:

Elementary: Jack (Yongjian) Zhang, Ontario | From the studio of Iana Ahilov
Intermediate: Lauren Leon, California | From the studio of Yoko Hoshihara
Advanced: Azalea Kelley, New York | From the studio of Dr. Emily White

We are thrilled to see how our students have expanded their skills and confidence levels as a result of taking part in the Music Lights the Way Piano Festival. At The RCM, our goal is to enrich and enhance the future of music and music education. This festival has provided piano students with the opportunity to hone their skills and talents and gain experience performing for a live audience.

Patrick Duperré,
Senior Vice President, Learning Systems

The Finale took place at The RCM’s renowned Koerner Hall and was broadcast live online on March 21 and 22, 2023. Students, teachers, and piano enthusiasts from across Canada and the United States watched performances from Finalists, Winners, as well as special guests including alumnus Tony Yike Yang and Robi Botos, The RCM’s Jazz Artist-in-Residence.

Learn More About the Music Lights the Way Piano Festival Full List of Music Lights the Way Piano Festival Winners