2023-2024 Marvin Hamlisch International Music Awards
Nominees, Classical Composition (youth Division)
benjamin barish, nyack, new york, usa
I am a seventh-grade pianist, violinist, and composer based in Nyack, New York. As a pianist, I have worked as the music accompanist to a Young Bohemians' production of "Really Rosie" in New York, and I have played concerts and performances around the tri-state area. As a composer, I have won a number of international awards, such as a first place prize in the International Piano Competition Smederevo, first place in MTG Composers' Contest, and the Federation of Music Teachers Composition Contest. I also was a nominee for the Hamlisch Awards in 2022.
Brianna Dai, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
16-year-old Brianna Dai is a high school student from Ottawa, Canada. Her music journey began at 5 with piano lessons, and she began composing by herself soon after. Brianna completed her Associate Diploma in Piano with the Royal Conservatory of Music at 15, achieving First Class Honours with Distinction. She earned top prizes at international and local music competitions such as the London International Music Competition, IMC International Music Competition, ORMTA and Ottawa Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, and Chamberfest Rising Stars. Brianna aspires to create music that touches people's hearts, and transports the listener to another dimension.
Rania Firoozye, London, United Kingdom
I'm a 16 year-old pianist, oboist and composer. I started playing the piano on my own and composing short tunes when I was about five, before taking formal lessons in both piano and oboe in primary school. Since then, I've played in several orchestras, including the National Children's Orchestra and the London School Symphony Orchestra. I've always enjoyed composing privately but finally had the courage to enter a competition, Compose Yourself, two years ago and, to my surprise, was a winner in my age category. I've achieved Distinction at Grade 8 on both piano and oboe. I have been largely self-taught in Composition, except in my school music class and in an after-school course. I recently auditioned and will be starting at Junior Guildhall (Guildhall School of Music & Drama) this Autumn to study composition formally!
aiden rose, Burnham, United Kingdom
My name is Aiden Rose, and I am a 16-year-old Music student attending the Ditton Park Academy, in Slough, UK. I started composing music 3 years ago and have thoroughly enjoyed working on orchestral and smaller chamber pieces throughout my studies. I find composing music to be an excellent means of expressing myself and relaxing, entering previous competitions and achieving a Grade 9 for my compositions at the GCSE level. As a result of my composing efforts, I have built up a portfolio of works, of which I have grown quite proud. Whenever I am not composing or listening to music, I enjoy looking at films or attending a West End show. I consider the compositions of John Williams to be breath-taking and awe-inspiring. I also find the music of Mendelssohn and Sibelius to be hugely inspirational when I'm stuck on a composition, or just in the mood to listen and relax.
Andrew Xu, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
Andrew Xu is a 16-year old composer and pianist, studying composition with Gyuli Kambarova. He has won competitions including the Hayes School of Music Composition Competition and the North Carolina Music Teachers' Association Composition Competition, and was a finalist in the National Young Composers Challenge.