Piano Island Festival | 7th edition
Bangkok, Thailand
22 - 29 July 2025

Wolfram Schmitt-Leonardy is one of todays most remarkable artist discoveries of the record industry. He won top prizes in International Piano Competitions e.g. the International Rachmaninoff Competition, the Walter Gieseking Competition and has been elected Upcoming Artist of the year by the German Magazine Fono Forum. His newest release (Scarlatti Sonatas) have been Editor’s Choice in the prestigious magazine Gramophone.

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2010 Wolfram Schmitt-Leonardy was offered a full-time Professorship at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich where he worked for 7 years, in 2016 he was offered a full-time Professorship at the University of Music Hanns Eisler Berlin and in 2017 he was offered a full-time Professorship at the University of Music and Performing Arts Mannheim where he works since then.

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​His first teacher Prof. Alexander Sellier was a student of Walter Gieseking and Edwin Fischer. Schmitt-Leonardy also worked with Prof. Vitalij Margulis who was one of the most important representative of the Russian piano school. Another important teacher of Mr. Schmitt-Leonardy was Prof. Adrian Aeschbacher, who was himself a student of Arthur Schnabel. Schmitt-Leonardy‘s teacher and close friend Michael Ponti (one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century) studied with Gilmour McDonald who was the assistent of Leopold Godowsky and with Erich Flinsch who studied with Franz Liszt’s student Emil von Sauer. All these important musical personalities influenced Wolfram Schmitt-Leonardy on his way. Furthermore, among his mentors are such important pianists e.g. Alexis Weissenberg, Olli Mustonen and Aldo Ciccolini.

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​He serves as jury member in many important International Piano Competitions e.g. the IGPA (Chairman of the International German Piano Award since 2011), International Piano Competition Epinal (F), International Piano Competition Thailand, International Piano Competition Pietro Argento (I), Grand Canal International Lang Lang Piano Competition, International Piano Competition ClaviCologne, International Piano Competition MozArte. He works for HENLE writing fingerings for their Chopin and Schumann editions. In the past 6 years his students have won more than 50 awards and prizes in International Piano Competitions in Europe, Asia and the USA. 

Pianist Chun-Chieh Yen has concertized in Europe, Asia, and America, embracing a wide range of repertoire. Making history at age 13 as the youngest pianist to perform in recital at Taipei’s National Concert Hall, his annual concert tours in Taiwan have brought widespread critical acclaim. His rendition of Balakirev’s “Islamey” at the Braunschweiger Kammermusikpodium Germany at age 14 drew significant public attention and received rave reviews.
 
Concerto performances take Mr. Yen to orchestras all over the world including the Russian National Orchestra, Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie, and the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan. He has enjoyed collaborations with many conductors, including Mikhail Pletnev, Henry Mazer, Uri Mayer, Shao-Chia Lü, and Günther Herbig.

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Mr. Yen began his piano studies in Taiwan with Prof. Rolf-Peter Wille. After winning Third Prize at the International Youth Tchaikovsky Competition in St. Petersburg in 1997, Mr. Yen furthered his education at the Hochschule für Music und Theater Hannover in Germany under the tutelage of Prof. Vladimir Krainev where he earned his Konzertexamen degree. He was then given a full scholarship to study with world-renowned pedagogue John Perry at the Colburn Conservatory of Music in Los Angeles. He has won numerous prizes in competitions, including First Prize at the 4th Hamamatsu International Academy Piano Competition in Japan (1999), and Third Prize at the 4th Prokofiev International Competition in St. Petersburg (2004). He also received the "Prix de L'Ordre du Merite" in Luzern, where he was praised by Maestro Alexis Weissenberg. Mr. Yen is currently full time Assistant Professor at the National Taiwan Normal University; his students have won top prizes at international competitions

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www.chunchiehyen.com

Dr. Christopher Janwong McKiggan is a multi-talented musician who has made his mark in both the classical music world and the film industry. Hailed by critics for his masterful and evocative playing style, he has been described as “masterful, highly contrasted and sharply characterized” (Gramophone), possessing “astonishing virtuosity and piano coloration” (The Citizen), and having “astounding technique… startling poise and control” (Kansas City Star). The Manila Times praised him as “proving to be a colossus, converting every piece into a virtuoso composition,” while Limelight lauded him as “commanding” and the Bangkok Post called him “outstanding.” In 2023, he was honored as one of the Future List 100 by Koktail magazine, recognizing his innovative contributions to music and the arts.

 

McKiggan has won numerous awards and accolades for his playing, including the Gold Medal at the Seattle International Piano Competition, a top prize at the UNISA International Piano Competition, and second prize at the Isabel Scionti (Kingsville International Piano Competition), among many others. His appearance on the 2015 recording of Augusta Read Thomas’s viola-piano duet Cantos for Slava was hailed as “virtuosi[c] and skilled” (Gramophone). In its review of Paganimania, Fanfare called Christopher “the best hope for a global music of the future.”

 

His performances have taken him to renowned venues worldwide, including Weill Recital Hall, Salle Cortot, The Kennedy Center, Melbourne Recital Centre, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Saugatuck Center for the Arts, The Egg Beijing, Le Poisson Rouge, Benaroya Hall, Hahn Hall, Paul Hall, and Jin Mao Concert Hall. He has been a guest artist at multiple music festivals, such as the Sicily International Piano Festival and Competition, the Thailand International Contemporary Music Festival, the Geneva Music Festival, and Electronic Music Midwest.

 

McKiggan has shared the stage with acclaimed artists like Clive Greensmith, Richie Hawley, Michael Webster, Susan Dunn-Rachleff, J.P. Jofre, and the Dover Quartet. As the founding pianist of the Bangkok Piano Trio and Eon Piano Trio—graced by the presence of H.R.H Princess Galyani Vadhana during one of their concerts—he brings a unique depth to his performances. Additionally, he co-founded the Piano Academy of Bangkok, where his students have won prizes globally, including top awards at the Kaufmann International Youth Piano Competition (New York, USA), Franz Liszt Weimar competition, the Robert Schumann International Youth Piano Competition (Düsseldorf, Germany), the Piano Competition for Young Musicians (Enschede, Netherlands), and the Chicago International Music Competition.

 

In addition to his musical achievements, McKiggan is the CEO of Chris the Pianist Productions, directing and producing commercials, documentaries, music videos, and company promotional content. He has created several award-winning productions, including the highly acclaimed Pain of Silence, which has been featured at numerous international film festivals and won over 20 winning awards, including Best Documentary at the prestigious BAFTA-qualifying Carmarthen Bay Film Festival.

Dr. Dorian Leljak is Piano Professor at the Royal College of Music (London) and at the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad. He is the President of the World Piano Teachers Association (WPTA), the World Piano Conference (WPC), the WPTA International Piano Competition (WPTA IPC), Artistic Director of the International Isidor Bajic Piano Competition, Honorary President of the European Piano Teachers Association - EPTA Voyvodina, Executive Director of the Panopticum Musicum/Musica Ricercata Music Schools and Southeast Europe Representative for the ABRSM (London).

 

            Dr. Leljak has won several international piano competitions (Rachmaninov Competition, Novi Sad Piano Competition) and has been awarded numerous prizes, including Yale University Mary Clapp Howell, Irving Gilmore and Parisot Prizes as well as the University of Novi Sad Merit Award,.  Dorian Leljak has studied with Arbo Valdma and Boris Berman (DMA, Yale University). and enjoys successful career worldwide as a recital pianist, soloist with orchestras and as a chamber musician, establishing collaborations with cellist Istvan Varga and Pianists Ninoslav Zivkovic, Tijana Andrejic and Aleksandar Djermanovic. In 2002 he made his debuts in Carnegie Hall and Boston Philharmonia Hall.

 

            Dorian Leljak frequently presents masterclasses and lectures worldwide and adjudicates international piano competitions such as Cleveland International Piano Competition, Top of the World Piano Competition Tromsø, Parnassos Monterey, Young Musicians Enschede, Scriabin Grosseto, Fausto Zadra, Neue Sterne Wernigerode, Carl Filtsch Sibiu, Spanish Composers Las Rozas, Euregio Geilenkirchen, Baltic Gdansk, Monopoli Barletta, Chopin Rome, Concours International de Piano de Lyon, Santa Cecilia Porto, Brescia Classica, amongst others.

Originating from a renowned cultural city in the northeast of China—Shenyang, ZHOU YUN graduated with a 1st Class Honours Master’s Degree in Music Performance from the Royal College of Music in UK. She had a scholarship to study music at the Royal College of Music, and she had the opportunity to learn and polish her crafts from the celebrated Russian pianist, Professor Dina Parakhina for many years.

She had drawn a large fan base and enjoy great success at home and abroad with her charisma and playing fusion music with beautiful melodies incorporating western cultural music.

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he has been active on the international stage for the last few consecutive years. She has also been on a world tour, spanning several countries including the United Kingdom, Spain, Singapore, and cities in China such as Shenzhen, Xiamen, Shandong, and Tianjin. The Nouvelles D'Europe described Zhou Yun’s piano performance as something universal with a clear, crisp, delicate, energetic, and imaginative tone. Her unique Eastern charisma and subtle music have drawn huge success and many compliments.

In addition, she has not only served as a Judge for several international competitions and seminars but is also very active in the music festivals in countries such as Hungary, Hong Kong, and Japan.

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zhouyunpiano.com

Since graduating from Peabody Conservatory of Music, Taiwanese pianist Joanna Hsin-Ju Ting has been active as a soloist, performer with orchestra, chamber musician and accompanist in Taiwan, the United States, Thailand and China.

 

Ting is presently a full-time Associate Professor at the National Chiayi University in Taiwan, and she also teaches at the University of Taipei. Since 2016, she has also been a repeat invitation on the artistic faculty of the InterHarmony International Music Festival in Italy.

 

​In three consecutive years in her native country, Ting won Taiwan's National Music Competition, which presented her recitals in major concert halls in Taipei since the age of 13. Since then, she has performed as soloist with Brevard Symphony Orchestra, Eastern Music Festival Orchestra, Taipei Symphony, National Chiayi University Symphony Orchestra and National Chiayi University Wind Ensemble, amongst others.

Ting is also a frequent chamber musician, and her performances have been broadcast on IC Radio in Taiwan.

Nariya Nogi, a distinguished Chinese contemporary pianist, has been a Yamaha artist since 2016. He grew up immersed in music and education, studying under prominent figures such as Bao Huiqiao, Dominique Merlet, Marian Rybicki, and Takeji Ueda. In 2014, Bao graduated with top honors from the Cortot Conservatory in Paris, earning the prestigious Cortot Award.

 

His talent was lauded by Aldo Ciccolini, who called him a “worthy champion,” and by Pianiste magazine, which hailed him as one of Europe’s most promising pianists. That same year, Bao marked the 50th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations with a concert tour and served as a judge at the IBLA International Piano Competition in Italy.

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He was prize winner of the 3rd Asia Chopin Competition in Japan, 6th International Vladimir Krainev Young Pianists Competition in Ukraine, International Competition Young Pianist In Memory Of Vladimir Horowitz” in Ukraine, the IBLA Grand Prize International Piano Competition” in Italy, “The 13th Hong Kong (ASIA) Piano Open Competition” in Hong Kong, “The 1st International Franz Liszt Competition ” in Weimar, Germany. Mr Nogi won prizes in both China International Piano competitions in Xiamen and Shanghai.

Elena Nesterenko is a Steinway Artist and the artistic director of Classics at Regen. She is also the founder of Maestro Academy Weimar Intensive Piano Courses, and part of the festival faculty of International Music Festival “Music is the way of life“ in Kostroma, Russia.

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The piano art of Elena Nesterenko absorbed the best traditions of Russian and German performing schools. сaptivating expressiveness, the depth of penetration into the very core of composer’s emotional content and huge range of subtlest nuances with brilliant musical energy. Upon graduating with honors from the Ippolitov-Ivanov Music Academy in 1989, Elena entered the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory in the studio of Eugene Mogilevsky and Professor Elena Richter. She continued her post-graduate studies in Groningen, Netherlands in 1997 with Professor A.B.Makarov- Goldfeder having received top prize at the Mazzarò del Vallo International Piano Competition in Italy on the same year. Elena also holds a Master of Arts diploma from Munich in the class of Prof. Gerhard Oppitz. Since 1998, Elena performed extensively in major cities across Europe. As an avid performer, she has worked with Regensburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Yaroslavl Symphony Orchestra, Kostroma Symphony Orchestra. 

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Her debut CD, containing works by F. Liszt A. Scriabin and Shostakovich lauded positive reviews from legendary pianists like Alfred Brendel and Grigory Sokolov. Elena gives regularly masterclasses in Arcore, Italy, Groningen, the European Centre in South Korea, Moscow, Kostroma, Russia, Walderbach, Germany, and at Tallinn’s Alion Baltic International Music Festival. She has also appeared frequently of the Classic Channel 4 of Bavarian Radio and Television, the Moscow Radio 1 as well as on the Russian television, and on the Italian RAI and Dutch radio and television networks. From 2011 to 2014, Elena has performed more than 150 concerts related to “The Universe of F. Liszt” as well as concert tour throughout Germany with collaboration with famous German lecturer and orator, Lutz Görner.

Hailed as a “complete musician – a sensitive artist and an extremely talented young pianist”, Congyu Wang is an internationally renowned soloist who has garnered acclaim as a recitalist, accompanist and chamber musician. 

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Born in Singapore, Congyu Wang started playing the piano at the age of 3. He was selected for a scholarship that enabled him to attend the prestigious Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris, where he studied with renowned French pianists Jean-Marc Luisada and Odile Catelin-Delangle. He later enrolled in the Schola Cantorum (Paris) to continue his studies with Gabriel Tacchino (who had been Francis Poulenc’s only student). Ever since youth, Congyu Wang has enjoyed phenomenal success in international piano competitions, ultimately winning the Grand Prize in Berlin and Bordeaux. His other prizes include Vulaines-sur-Seine, Lagny-sur-Marne, Merignac, Paris, Jakarta, Tallinn and Cle d’Or Reunion. He was featured in the national news journal ‘Zao Bao’ as Singapore’s most promising young artist of the year in 2016.

 

In 2015 Congyu Wang published his first album ‘Charme’ on KNS classical featuring the works of Francis Poulenc to international acclaim. Recently he released his second album ‘Reflets’ dedicated to Claude Debussy commemorating the 100th death anniversary of the French Composer. His recordings are frequently broadcasted on radios internationally – France Musique, BBC radio 3 (UK), Radio Vie (Reunion), Radio Antena 2 (Portugal), Classic 1027 (South Africa), Symphony 92.4 (Singapore) etc. 

 

Congyu Wang is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Piano Island Festival, Piano Concerto festival and the International Chopin Competition in South Africa. He is ambassador to several charitable foundations - Association des Jeunes Musiciens (Young musicians), Association Koinonia (International Refugees), Grace International Foundation Liverpool (Youth Development).

Congyu Wang is a Young Steinway Artist. 

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www.congyuwang.com