SSM Pre-Conservatory Program Alum Named Finalist in International Piano Competition

The competition was conducted virtually over the month of April, with the preliminary round judged by piano superstars Eleonora Karpukhova, Michael Bukhman, and Alvin Zhu. The final round was judged by pianists of similar stature, Boris Slutsky, Alan Chow, and Aviram Reichert.

Osip performed some of the classical music world’s most famous composers, with Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Prelude & Fugue in B major, BWV 868,” Frederic Chopin’s “Etude Op. 25 No. 5 in E minor,” Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57, 1st movement,” Sergei Rachmaninoff’s “Elegie, Op. 3,” and Johannes Brahms’s “Paganini Variations Book II, Op. 35.”

Since graduating from SSM, Osip attended the University of Minnesota to study piano with SSM Master Teacher Alexander Braginsky. Currently, he attends Rice University, where he is studying with Jon Kumura Parker for a Doctor of Musical Arts degree. He continues to compete and perform worldwide, including winning first prize at the Young Artist Tuesday Musical Competition in San Antonio and playing in the UNISA International Piano Competition in Pretoria, South Africa, both last year. He also enjoys playing solo jazz piano in his free time.

While Osip did not place in the final round of competition, his performance was spectacular and indicative of the dedication our Pre-Conservatory Program students regularly display. We encourage you to watch his competition performance to catch a glimpse of the achievement that our students are capable of.

For those aspiring piano players who look to play at this level, don’t miss a chance this summer to learn from some of the same Master Teachers as Osip, such as Alexander Braginsky, during the upcoming Bravo! Summer Music Academy!