This year's Henry and Carol Zeiter Piano Competition at University of the Pacific took place on Sunday, Jan. 28. Since the 1970s, this event has drawn exceptionally talented young pianists from around California.
All high school students in California are eligible to enter except for former first prize winners and students of judges. Finalists are chosen through a process of video-recorded auditions and invited to University of the Pacific to play in live auditions.
Contestants prepared three solo works representing three of the following style periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or Impressionist/Contemporary. Works by underrepresented composers were strongly encouraged.
Contestants were evaluated in a preliminary recorded round consisting of two of the three selected works. Approximately 15-18 pianists were invited to the University of the Pacific campus for the live auditions on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024.
Application fee: $75
Application deadline: December 16, 2023
First prize: Meining Wu
Second prize: Tyler Chew
Third prize: Dylan Hall
Special prize for underrepresented composer: Mina Baba
Honorable Mention: Oliver Corro
Honorable Mention: Katelyn Deng
Honorable Mention: Dylan Nguyen
Honorable Mention: Connie Huang
9:00 a.m. Registration (Buck Hall)
10:00 a.m. Auditions (Recital Hall)
12:00 p.m. Lunch (DeRosa University Center)
1:15 p.m. Auditions
3:00 p.m. Refreshments (Buck Hall)
3:30 p.m. Presentation by Jessica Siena, Director of Conservatory Admissions (Recital Hall)
4:00 p.m. Master Classes by Dr. Sonia Leong and Dr. Natsuki Fukasawa (Recital Hall)
5:20 p.m. Announcement of Awards
