Pansky Competition Winners

• junior at Lawrence University
• awarded second place in college division in 2021, performing Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2

What did this award mean to you?
“The competition was a great opportunity for me to perform the Prokofiev concerto in an audition setting, which gave me a concrete goal to work towards in my practicing – something I have always found very helpful. As I continue to take many auditions for various things, I am constantly aware of how valuable sheer experience is. I also appreciated very much the written feedback from the judges, as it’s always so helpful to get additional perspectives and constructive criticism on one’s performance. And of course it was gratifying to be recognized as a runner-up.”

• senior at Lawrence University
• auditioning for master’s programs in piano performance

Words of wisdom:
“Perform your piece as much as possible before your audition (even playing in front of friends can be very helpful) – everyone gets nervous, and the best remedy for nerves is good preparation. And also remember that the opinions of judges are…opinions (usually smart ones, but opinions nonetheless)…and therefore subjective.”

• senior at Lawrence University
• awarded first place in college division in 2016, performing Bartók’s Piano Concerto No. 2

What did this award mean to you?
“I am grateful for the recognition of learning such a difficult concerto. It took two years to learn the work. It was unfortunate I did not get the opportunity to perform it due to my injuries. However, I was grateful to be allowed to perform Brahms and a personal improvisation for such an active audience in Green Bay.”

• tax accountant at KPMG
• practices at least an hour a day
• accompanies and performs multiple times a year

Words of wisdom:
“It is not the goals you set that achieve your dreams, but the system you fall back onto. I succeeded because I had a consistent passion and desire to go back to the piano every day and master the work I set out to learn. It took two years, but in the end I never stopped. Keep going down the path, and the destination shall come.”

• junior at homeschool
• awarded second place in high school division in 2016, performing Ravel’s Tzigane
• returned to win first place in high school division in 2018, performing Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1

What did this award mean to you?
“I competed twice in the Pansky Competition in high school, the first time receiving runner-up and winning first place in 2018. The first time I competed, I felt like I had not quite achieved my goals for the competition, and by the second time I competed I felt like I had achieved the most I could have from the experience. Being on stage with familiar faces made the experience much more comfortable and it allowed me to feel supported and confident.”

• graduating in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Music in violin performance from the University of Michigan, School of Music Theater and Dance
• concertmaster of University Philharmonia Orchestra
• tenured section violin of Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra
• tenured assistant principal second of Lansing Symphony Orchestra

Words of wisdom:
“Practice performing, don’t practice practicing. Play as if you are on stage, and you will then be able to perform like you thought you practiced.”

• junior at Lawrence University
• awarded first place in college division in 2019, performing Medtner’s Piano Concerto No. 2

What did this award mean to you?
“Bringing an underperformed work to the stage.”

• piano technician
• switched to jazz and plays at Le Piano in Chicago

Words of wisdom:
“Play something the judges haven’t heard too often. The less standard the repertoire, the more your own voice will be heard.”

• freshman at Fox Valley Lutheran High School
• awarded second place in high school division in 2010, performing Zigeunerweisen by Sarasate
• returned to win first place in high school division in 2012, performing Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy

What did this award mean to you?
“I was so glad to win second place in the competition! Zigeunerweisen is such a fun piece, and I was grateful for the chance to share it!”

• video editor by day, musician by night
• member of the Fox Valley Symphony
• plays with Daddy D Productions in Green Bay, as well as other miscellaneous gigs and weddings

Words of wisdom:
“It’s not about perfection; it’s all about your passion for the music. You can really psych yourself out worrying about every little detail. Try to focus on what you love about the music and let your performance flow naturally from there.”

• high school freshman at Academy of Excellence Online
• awarded first place in high school division in 2021, performing Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole

What did this award mean to you?
“As the result of winning the Pansky Concerto Competition, I was able to perform as a soloist with orchestra for the first time in three years, which was very exciting. As I also went on to perform Symphonie Espagnole with three other orchestras, my performance with the Civic Symphony of Green Bay was a very valuable first opportunity to perform the piece.”

• high school junior at the Academy of Excellence Online
• continues to study with Dr. Anna Cromwell at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and participates in a variety of competitions
• second year as a member of the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras, performing in both the Youth Orchestra and the Pondrom Piano Quartet
• performed as a soloist with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Madison Symphony Orchestra, Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra, Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra, and Birch Creek Symphony
• received first prize in the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s 2023 Audrey G. Baird Stars of Tomorrow Competition
• performed as a soloist in March 2024 with the Madison Symphony Orchestra as a finalist of the 2024 Bolz Young Artist Competition: The Final Forte, broadcast live on PBS Wisconsin and Wisconsin Public Radio

Words of wisdom:
“Think of the competition as a performance opportunity and a chance to share your hard work with the judges. In the end, the competition results don’t matter too much as long as you learn something from the experience and enjoy it.”