Perform in Concert in Arkansas on the IBLA 2016 World Tour

MEDIA RELEASE For Immediate Release April 30, 2016

Contact: Sherman Banks, IBLA Foundation VP & Juror 501.786.2639 / [email protected]

2015 IBLA COMPETITION GRAND PRIZE WINNERS Perform In Concert in Arkansas on the IBLA 2016 World Tour

April 30, 2016, Little Rock - The city of Ragusa, Italy on the sunbaked island of Sicily is the scene of the annual IBLA GRAND PRIZE, a prestigious international piano, vocal and composition competition. Musicians from around the globe compete in the internationally recognized festival that was created ‘to play a meaningful role in the discovery and support of talented musicians’.

Winners of the competition perform on a world tour in such prestigious venues as Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall in New York, The Tokyo Opera City Hall, Tchaikovsky Bolshoi Hall in Moscow and in other prestigious venues in Canada, Europe, Russia and the United States.

Arkansas IBLA World Tour Concerts As part of their world tour, the musically gifted winners of the IBLA Grand Prize competition have performed annually in Arkansas in public schools and community concerts for the last nineteen years. The competition winners will once again grace Arkansas stages during their 2016 World tour.

“IBLA Grand Prize winners performing this year offer Arkansas audiences the unique opportunity to hear remarkable and recognized world-class international jazz and classic pianists, singers, composers, accordionists, and violinists from Italy, Poland, China, Georgia, Korea and the USA,” said Sherman Banks, IBLA Foundation VP and Jurist. “Arkansas audiences will also have the opportunity to meet the performers personally in receptions after each concert.”

In addition to appearances in public schools, the 2016 IBLA Grand Prize winners will perform for the general public at the following times and places:

May 3, 2016: Lake Village – Lakeside High School Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. May 5, 2016: Batesville – West Baptist Church at 6:30 p.m. May 6, 2016: Jacksonville – First United Methodist Church at 7:00 p.m. May 7, 2016: North Little Rock – Argenta Theater at 7:00 p.m.

About the Performers 2015 IBLA Grand Prize Winners performing in Arkansas concerts include the three top prize winners as well as Grand Prize Winners of the “Most Distinguished Musician” award in the IBLA competition:

1st Place Top Prize Winner, Pianist Marcin Parys (Poland/USA) – Marcin has performed across Europe, Israel and the United States. He is recognized for his unique ability to bring Chopin’s music to life and is currently pursuing his Doctoral degree at the University of North Texas.

Top Prize Winner, Pianist Tamara Licheli (Georgia) - Tamara has won numerous national and international competitions and is considered to be a first-performer of many important Georgian pieces. Top Prize Winner, Pianist Alessandro Marino (Italy) – 24-year-old, Alessandro performs as a soloist in Europe and the Netherlands and has been featured in concert on television and radio. His solo repertoire includes traditional pieces and compositions of less known romantic composers. Media Release: 2016 IBLA Grand Prize Winners World Tour Page 2

IBLA Grand Prize Winners “Most Distinguished Musicians” who will be performing in Arkansas venues include these outstanding talents: Jiaxi Jessica Sun, Pianist (China) – Eight year old, Jiaxi began studying piano at the age of three and a half with her mother, a professor of piano in a local conservatory of music. Currently a 3rd grade student, Jiaxi won her first of 20 awards across China at age four. In 2014, Jiaxi collected her first international piano award in Los Angeles. Pietro Beltrani, Jazz Piano/Composer (Italy) - Pietro has won prizes in more than 30 national and international piano competitions. In 2015 he released his first jazz album with his Trio. His latest cd is a piano solo based on the music of the great Italian singer and composer Lucio Dalia. Quinian Facey, Piano (USA): This high school honor student gave his first performance at age 11. He has won numerous awards and is a 2015 winner in the America Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition. Karolina Mikolajczyk, Violin and Iwo Jedynecki, Accordion (Poland) – recognized as “one of the most promising young chamber ensembles in Poland,” this duo skillfully combines the violin and accordion to perform original compositions and music from all periods and genres. Joung-Yun Son, Soprano (Korea) – Joung-Yun boasts an extensive education in music and opera including a Ph.D in Opera from Mannheim University of Music and Performing Arts. She has performed with the Mannhehim Orchestra, the Saarllui Orchestra and the Korean Orchestra in Germany for the World Cup among others. Alessandro Marino, Piano (Italy) – Reviews of the 24 year old dynamic soloist note that “It takes uncommon qualities, high digital speed and courage to deal with such virtuoso marathons”. Making his USA tour debut at Carnegie Hall in 2016, Alessandro performs as a soloist for the most important associations and festivals in Italy. Llukasz Brzezina, Accordion (Poland) – Performing on one of the most technically advanced custom-made accordions in the world, Llukasz is a sought after musician with over 30 prizes, awards and distinctions in national and international competitions. Soo Hyun Park, Piano (Korea) – A recording artist, accompanist and award-winning pianist, Soo has performed with philharmonic orchestras and in recitals throughout Europe and Asia. She is a 2002 graduate of the Sook- Myung University in Seoul. Jakub Czerski, Piano (Poland) – A twenty-two year old artist, composer and conductor, Jakub performs music from early baroque to jazz standards in solo, ensemble and orchestra concerts. In 2016, Jakub performed several world premieres of his original compositions. Bartosz Kolsut, Accordion (Poland) – Beginning his music career at age seven, Bartosz has won numerous awards, recognitions and scholarships. He is a member of the Humi Accordion Band that won the First Award at the World Music Festival in Innsbruck, Austria. Celina Kotz, Violin (Poland) – Celina began playing violin at age six and has perfected her craft under recognized master teachers. Winner of numerous awards, scholarships and recognitions, Celina performs as a chamber musician and with world-renown philharmonic orchestras. Xiani lv, Piano (China) – With a Masters Degree in piano performance from the Tianjin Conservatory of Music, Xiani is now a lecturer and piano teacher at the university. She has won top honors and special recognition in classical piano competitions in Asia, Russia and Italy. ------Photos and interviews of performers available upon request. Contact: Sherman Banks, VP & Juror, IBLA Foundation 501.786.2639 / [email protected]

About the IBLA Foundation Grand Prize Competition Headquartered in New York City, IBLA Foundation organizes the annual international music competition conducted in Ragusa, Italy. Over 250 pianists, singers, composers and instrumentalists come from all over the world to participate in IBLA Grand Prize. The competitions play a meaningful role in the discovery and support of talented musicians. The IBLA International Jury is comprised of representatives from the most prestigious institutions and music supporters worldwide.