Media Release
Contact:
Martin Perches
79 Ashford Ave.
Mill Valley, CA 94941
Phone: 415-860-5900
Email: mperches@pianosisters.com
Website: www.riekotsuchida.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARIN MIDDLE SCHOOL PIANIST WINS FIRST OF ITS KIND
“CLASSICAL STAR SEARCH”
Produced and Hosted by San Francisco’s KDFC, No. 1 Major Metro Classical Radio Station in the Country
Celebrity Judge Lang Lang Says “Sensitive…Real Artistry...She is Only 13 Years Old?”
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – May 5, 2008 -- Middle school student and young pianist Rieko Tsuchida won the first-of-its-kind “Classical Star Search” competition, a production of San Francisco Bay Area radio station Classical 102.1 KDFC.
Commenting on Rieko’s playing ability, celebrity judge Lang Lang, world renown best selling classical musical artist and recognized as “People’s Pianist” by the Independent (UK), said, “sensitive….real artistry….not just a pile of notes” and quizzically added, “she is only 13 years old?”
Rieko, the only competitor to receive such praise, said afterwards: “It was great winning but to have Lang Lang say that about my performance was better than anything.”
The first-ever KDFC Classical Star Search competition got started in March with 320 video auditions, which attracted 10,071 votes for 20 semi-finalists. This led to six finalists performing for a $5,000 cash prize. The competition ended April 28 with a magnificent event at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre in San Francisco.
Judging duties were handled by internationally famous pianist and recording artist Lang Lang; music director of Oakland East Bay Symphony Michael Morgan; and KDFC radio hosts Dianne Nicolini and Hoyt Smith. Rieko Tsuchida won overall in the “20 and Under” category, while Percy Liang won in the “21 and Over” group.
About Rieko Tsuchida
Rieko Tsuchida of Mill Valley became a student of classical piano at the age of three; her first public performance was that same year. She currently studies piano and music at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she is a student of John McCarthy, Director of the Preparatory Division.
Rieko has achieved numerous "firsts" already in her young life, notable among them are:
·
Performed on National Public Radio's "From the Top" broadcast nationwide in 2007, and again in (April) 2008.·
Won "The Piano Prize" in the Second Annual Mondavi Center’s Young Artists Competition.·
Chosen by philanthropist Bernard Osher to play at his 80th birthday extravaganza. Only four musicians were invited, including surprise guest Placido Domingo.·
Made the cover of Chamber Music Magazine, August 2007 issue·
Her piano trio won the "MTAC VOCE" (California State Ensemble Competition) in 2006.·
Won both of the premier California state piano competitions in 2006: The MTNA/CAPMT "Honors Auditions" state piano competition; and the MTAC State Piano Solo Competition. She is the first solo pianist to have won both in the same year.·
Won the 10th Annual “San Francisco Chopin Competition for Young Pianists" in 2005.·
While only 8 years old, she was a prizewinner in the International Chopin Piano Competition of Asia in 2003.·
At age 6, she was the youngest pianist ever invited to perform in the history of the Junior Bach Festival in Berkeley, Calif.·
Also at age 6, she won the MTAC Piano Competition in San Francisco. Since age 6 is deemed “Elementary,” she was moved up to the next category “Intermediate,” where she won.Rieko, 13 years old, is in the 8th grade and lives in Mill Valley, Calif. For more information please visit her website at www.riekotsuchida.com.
RIEKO AND LANG LANG AT THE EVENT
CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR A ZIPPED 300DPI 6X8 VERSION AND RELEASE
*Note: KDFC has the third highest cume in the San Francisco market. Higher cume in market than any other major metro Classical station
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KDFC competition link