
BYPCC 2018
Bangkok Young Pianists' Concerto Competition 2018
The Bangkok Young Pianists’ Concerto Competition concluded on Sunday, August 5 at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, with the performances of four remarkable young pianists from each of the two age categories. This event was part of the Music Learning Fest, a week-long annual festival supported by Trinity College London. The aim of the competition was to promote music education through providing young musicians with a wide variety of musical experiences, as well as to offer an opportunity for exceptional young pianists to work together with an orchestra. To perform a concerto, a pianist needs a collaborative skill set that is not required in solo performances. For many young pianists, this competition was their first opportunity to play with an orchestra. They learned how to work with an ensemble, which posed different challenges that they needed to overcome. We hope that through the rehearsing and performing processes, these young, talented pianists have found the experience of collaborating with the conductor and other musicians valuable and enriching.
The Bangkok Young Pianists’ Concerto Competition is a not-for-profit event. We would like to thank all the composers who generously allowed their compositions to be used in the competition. We would like to thank the Yamaha Music School for their kind sponsorship of the concert grand piano onstage and two digital pianos for backstage warm-up during the event. We would like to thank Dr. Joe Parinya Chucherdwatanasak, the conductor and founder of the Bangkok Modern Ensemble, who worked very hard over the past few months to arrange most of the competition pieces for the orchestra, as well as to collaborate with the young pianists during the rehearsals and performances without accepting any compensation for his time and effort. We would also like to thank the adjudicating panel, Dr. Matthew Edwards, Ms. Lindsey Butterfield, and Mr. Jeffrey Williams for their helpful feedback for the contestants. We hope that the adjudicators’ comments will help develop these pianists in becoming professional musicians in the future. We would like to thank the Bangkok Modern Ensemble, who took time out of their busy schedule as professional musicians, to supported the young pianists in their rehearsals and performances. Finally, we want to thank all the parents, teachers, and accompanists for their support, as well as the young pianists themselves for their hard work and wonderful performances. We will continue to be a stage that provides young musicians a chance to perform with an orchestra. Thanks to all audience members for the overwhelming support and we hope to see you again in 2020!
Junior Category Finalists and Prize winners

Chanya Methaprayoon
United States
Student of Brenden Laughlin at Vivaldi Music Academy
AWARDED FIRST PRIZE

Stanley Holewa
Thailand
Student of Dr. Nopanand Chanorathaikul
FINALIST

Jiranon Sakpensri
Thailand
Student of Yosapon Kunavipakorn at Yamaha Ratchadapisek School
AWARDED SECOND PRIZE

Betty Yunuo Zhou
Germany
Student of Irina Mints at Musikschule Minz
FINALIST
Senior Category Finalists and Prize winners

Lalida Krairit
Thailand
Student of Suwipa Pothithet
AWARDED FIRST PRIZE

Nichanan Kurpipat
Thailand
Student of Sumida Ansvananda
AWARDED SECOND PRIZE

Carolyn Wang
Australia
Student of Jackie Sharp at Sharp Music Academy
FINALIST

Aunna Pipatsart
Thailand
Student of Dr. Nopanand Chanorathaikul
FINALIST
Junior Category Semi-finalists
listed by alphabetical order (last name)

Natamon Atsavakovith
Thailand
Student of Yosapon Kunavipakorn at Yamaha Ratchadapisek School

Paramaporn Chaowanapreecha
Thailand
Student of Yosapon Kunavipakorn at Yamaha Esplanade Rattanathibet School

Stanley Holewa
Thailand
Student of Dr. Nopanand Chanorathaikul

Trinity Jantarach
Thailand
Student of Dr. Pornphan Bunternghunsa at Dr. Orn Studio

Suriyothai Kumanuvong
Thailand
Student of Patchara Phutivanish at Patchara Music Academy

Chanya Methaprayoon
United States
Student of Brenden Laughlin at Vivaldi Music Academy

Joshua Ng
Australia
Student of Irina Cherkasski

Phuphaphakdee Pongpanus
Thailand
Student of Patchara Phutivanish at Patchara Music Academy

Jiranon Sakpensri
Thailand
Student of Yosapon Kunavipakorn at Yamaha Ratchadapisek School

Jirath Sewatarmra
Thailand
Student of Sumida Ansvananda

Johnny Shen
Australia
Student of Jackie Sharp at Sharp Music Academy

Chirapon Taepaisitphongse
Thailand
Student of Rithi Jantararat

Pran Taepaisitphongse
Thailand
Student of Rithi Jantararat

Ranchida Taepaisitphongse
Thailand
Student of Rithi Jantararat

Betty Yunuo Zhou
Germany
Student of Irina Mints at Musikschule Minz
Senior Category Semi-finalists
listed by alphabetical order (last name)

Xhuen Harn Chan
Malaysia
Student of Ian Goh at Clavier Music Studio

Thapanapong Chuensomtoy
Thailand
Student of Patchara Phutivanish at Patchara Music Academy

James Deng
Australia
Student of Irina Cherkasski

Jaron Khor Khai Ee
Malaysia
Student of Raymond Tan

Lalida Krairit
Thailand
Student of Suwipa Pothithet

Nichanan Kurpipat
Thailand
Student of Sumida Ansvananda

Jo Wei Lee
Malaysia
Student of Raymond Tan

Xin Er Lee
Malaysia
Student of Ian, Bin Wei Goh at Clavier Music Studio

Aunna Pipatsart
Thailand
Student of Dr. Nopanand Chanorathaikul

Sasirada Prateeppavameta
Thailand
Student of Kwanchanok Pongpairoj

Rattanun Ratanasophon
Thailand
Student of Visudhisom Roong-In

Carolyn Wang
Australia
Student of Jackie Sharp at Sharp Music Academy