KaJeng Wong (Hong Kong), 1st Prize
2018 Alaska International
Piano-e-Competition
 
Davis Concert Hall at University of Alaska, Fairbanks
12 Tanana Dr
Fairbanks, AK 99709
Pianists from around the world converged in Fairbanks in May 2018 to compete in the prestigious 2018 Alaska International Piano-e-Competition for more than $65,000 in prizes. From an initial round of 24 contestants, the top three finalists vied for the grand prize over the 10-day competition.
This special rebroadcast consists of the solo piano performance from First Prize winner KaJeng Wong of Hong Kong featuring works by Schubert, Scriabin, Messiaen, Takemitsu, and Schumann. KJ rose to public attention due to an unexpected welcoming of his documentary “KJ: Music & Life” in 2009, which won Best Documentary at Golden Horse Awards. He spent four years studying under Prof. Emile Naoumoff at Indiana University Bloomington; participated in festivals such as PianoTexas and Verbier Festival Academy; received guidance from masters such as Menahem Pressler, Yoheved Kaplinsky, Claude Frank, John O’Conor; awarded twice as the concerto competition winner at IUB; and proceeded to the semifinals at competitions at Gina Bachauer, PianoFerrol, Hong Kong International, and to the finals at the Young Artist Audition in New York.
In 2017, he founded the trio SMASH, with saxophonist Timothy Sun and world harmonica champion Cy Leo. KJ is Artist Director for local creative force Music Lab, which has grown its own festival, celebrating artists with creative thoughts and promoting cultural talents of Hong Kong. KJ continues to develop original programs for Music Lab Festival, as well as touring in Taiwan, Macau, Malaysia, and China.
This uncut, unedited performance was originally broadcast live on May 21, 2018, from Davis Concert Hall in Fairbanks, AK, where KJ was also awarded the Chamber Music Prize for best trio performance in the semifinals.
This special rebroadcast consists of the solo piano performance from First Prize winner KaJeng Wong of Hong Kong featuring works by Schubert, Scriabin, Messiaen, Takemitsu, and Schumann. KJ rose to public attention due to an unexpected welcoming of his documentary “KJ: Music & Life” in 2009, which won Best Documentary at Golden Horse Awards. He spent four years studying under Prof. Emile Naoumoff at Indiana University Bloomington; participated in festivals such as PianoTexas and Verbier Festival Academy; received guidance from masters such as Menahem Pressler, Yoheved Kaplinsky, Claude Frank, John O’Conor; awarded twice as the concerto competition winner at IUB; and proceeded to the semifinals at competitions at Gina Bachauer, PianoFerrol, Hong Kong International, and to the finals at the Young Artist Audition in New York.
In 2017, he founded the trio SMASH, with saxophonist Timothy Sun and world harmonica champion Cy Leo. KJ is Artist Director for local creative force Music Lab, which has grown its own festival, celebrating artists with creative thoughts and promoting cultural talents of Hong Kong. KJ continues to develop original programs for Music Lab Festival, as well as touring in Taiwan, Macau, Malaysia, and China.
This uncut, unedited performance was originally broadcast live on May 21, 2018, from Davis Concert Hall in Fairbanks, AK, where KJ was also awarded the Chamber Music Prize for best trio performance in the semifinals.
Pianists from around the world converged in Fairbanks in May 2018 to compete in the prestigious 2018 Alaska International Piano-e-Competition for more than $65,000 in prizes. From an initial round of 24 contestants, the top three finalists vied for the grand prize over the 10-day competition.
This special rebroadcast consists of the solo piano performance from First Prize winner KaJeng Wong of Hong Kong featuring works by Schubert, Scriabin, Messiaen, Takemitsu, and Schumann. KJ rose to public attention due to an unexpected welcoming of his documentary “KJ: Music & Life” in 2009, which won Best Documentary at Golden Horse Awards. He spent four years studying under Prof. Emile Naoumoff at Indiana University Bloomington; participated in festivals such as PianoTexas and Verbier Festival Academy; received guidance from masters such as Menahem Pressler, Yoheved Kaplinsky, Claude Frank, John O’Conor; awarded twice as the concerto competition winner at IUB; and proceeded to the semifinals at competitions at Gina Bachauer, PianoFerrol, Hong Kong International, and to the finals at the Young Artist Audition in New York.
In 2017, he founded the trio SMASH, with saxophonist Timothy Sun and world harmonica champion Cy Leo. KJ is Artist Director for local creative force Music Lab, which has grown its own festival, celebrating artists with creative thoughts and promoting cultural talents of Hong Kong. KJ continues to develop original programs for Music Lab Festival, as well as touring in Taiwan, Macau, Malaysia, and China.
This uncut, unedited performance was originally broadcast live on May 21, 2018, from Davis Concert Hall in Fairbanks, AK, where KJ was also awarded the Chamber Music Prize for best trio performance in the semifinals.
This special rebroadcast consists of the solo piano performance from First Prize winner KaJeng Wong of Hong Kong featuring works by Schubert, Scriabin, Messiaen, Takemitsu, and Schumann. KJ rose to public attention due to an unexpected welcoming of his documentary “KJ: Music & Life” in 2009, which won Best Documentary at Golden Horse Awards. He spent four years studying under Prof. Emile Naoumoff at Indiana University Bloomington; participated in festivals such as PianoTexas and Verbier Festival Academy; received guidance from masters such as Menahem Pressler, Yoheved Kaplinsky, Claude Frank, John O’Conor; awarded twice as the concerto competition winner at IUB; and proceeded to the semifinals at competitions at Gina Bachauer, PianoFerrol, Hong Kong International, and to the finals at the Young Artist Audition in New York.
In 2017, he founded the trio SMASH, with saxophonist Timothy Sun and world harmonica champion Cy Leo. KJ is Artist Director for local creative force Music Lab, which has grown its own festival, celebrating artists with creative thoughts and promoting cultural talents of Hong Kong. KJ continues to develop original programs for Music Lab Festival, as well as touring in Taiwan, Macau, Malaysia, and China.
This uncut, unedited performance was originally broadcast live on May 21, 2018, from Davis Concert Hall in Fairbanks, AK, where KJ was also awarded the Chamber Music Prize for best trio performance in the semifinals.