The Aloha International Piano Festival and Competition Announce 2018 Events

The Aloha International Piano Festival and Competition (AIPF) today announced that the 2018 weeklong music festival will feature the debut of acclaimed pianist Ory Shihor and the return of local favorites, pianists Jon Nakamatsu and John Bayless. AIPF takes place at the Hawaii Convention Center and University of Hawaii at Manoa's Orvis Auditorium from June 16 to 24, 2018, and features a week of concerts, masterclasses, competitions and workshops. Several events are free and all are open to the public. Music students and teachers, as well as anyone who loves the piano, are warmly encouraged to attend. Learn more at alohapianofestival.com.

The highlight of AIPF will be the Three Pianos - Six Hands Finale Extravaganza featuring Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue for three pianos, arranged by Bayless, at 4 pmon Sunday, June 24 at Orvis Auditorium. The concert will feature Bayless, who recently made a miraculous comeback after suffering a stroke. The first half of the concert will feature Bayless performing solo works, including opera favorites such as Puccini's Nessun Dorma and O Mio Babbino Caro, and other works he rearranged for the left hand only. A highlight of this concert will also be the world premiere of Capriccio (2018), composed by AIPF alumni and local star T.J. Tario. Capriccio is a piece for one piano - four hands, and will be performed AIPF Founder Lisa Nakamichi and Nakamatsu. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for students and are on sale at aipf.ticketleap.com.

Capriccio was commissioned by Tario's mentor, Nakamichi, in association with AIPF. Capriccio encompasses a sense of humor, faux virtuosity, and manner of melodic lyricism placed at sporadic times. It was written with the word schadenfreude (pleasure derived by someone from another person's misfortune) in mind - of one's own self-saboteur, and the envy of a pristine piano technique. It was inspired by quoting other memorable pieces from the piano repertoire, and varying these themes in such a way that the music almost becomes a sarcastic mockery.

AIPF 2018 also features the debut of award-winning pianist and educator, Ory Shihor. The founding Dean of Colburn Music Academy, Shihor will conduct a seminar on acing music school applications and auditions. The seminar will follow a live Q&A to answer burning questions regarding applying for music schools. In addition to the seminar, Mr. Shihor will conduct masterclasses and perform in the Three Pianos - Six Hands Finale Extravaganza.

2018 Aloha International Piano Festival Line-up

Saturday, June 16, 2018: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Hawaii Convention Center, Room 324

Aloha International Piano Competition - Solo Divisions including Amateurs
Admission: FREE
The public is invited to watch the competition in action and support young pianists from around the world as they compete for Festival honors.

Sunday, June 17, 2018 : 4 p.m.
University of Hawaii, Orvis Auditorium

Aloha International Piano Competition Winners Concert
Admission: General $10, Students FREE
Winners of the 2018 Aloha International Piano Competition treat the audience featuring their highlighted works. The concert will feature winners from the solo competition and amateur competition.

Monday, June 18, 2018: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Hawaii Convention Center, Room 324

Masterclass by John Bayless
Admission: FREE
AIPF is pleased to welcome back John Bayless, Artistic Director of the Waring International Piano Competition. Come and see for yourself the magic that Bayless will convey to the students enrolled in the Aloha International Piano Academy.

Tuesday, June 19, 2018 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Hawaii Convention Center, Room 324

Workshop: "Acing Music School Applications and Auditions"
Admission: General $15, Students $5
A renowned pedagogue and professor at the Colburn Conservatory, Ory Shihor will discuss one of the hottest topics today on how to "ace" music school applications and auditions. There will be a live Q&A session to answer all burning questions by the audience. A must attend seminar for high school students, parents and teachers!

Wednesday, June 20, 2018 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Hawaii Convention Center, Room 324

Masterclass by Jon Nakamatsu
Admission: General $15, Students $5
Van Cliburn gold medalist Jon Nakamatsu returns to AIPF and continues to inspire students, TEACHERS and audience with his artistry. An excellent opportunity to get inspired from one of music's most respected artist in a welcome and friendly setting.

Thursday, June 21, 2018: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Hawaii Convention Center, Room 324

Masterclass by Ory Shihor
Admission: General $15, Students $5
Ory Shihor, who serves on the piano faculty of The Colburn School in Los Angeles will conduct a masterclass performed by students enrolled in the Aloha International Piano Academy. A wonderful educational opportunity for students and TEACHERS of all levels.

Saturday, June 23, 2018: 9 a.m.
University of Hawaii, Orvis Auditorium

Aloha International Piano Competition - Concerto Division
FREE Admission
The bi-annual AIPF Concerto Competition is back this year and competitors from around the world will perform a concerto with a second piano accompaniment. Come and watch the competition in action as they compete for an opportunity to perform a concerto with the Hawaii Youth Symphony in their 2018 - 2019 season.

Sunday, June 24, 2018: 4 pm
University of Hawaii, Orvis Auditorium

THREE PIANOS - SIX HANDS FINALE EXTRAVAGANZA
Admission: General $30, Students $15
ONLY CONCERT AT AIPF!

Come and experience the energy and thrill of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue performed by AIPF's world renowned guest artists on THREE grand pianos, arranged by award winning pianist and composer, John Bayless. An exciting concert not to be missed! Click here to buy tickets.

About the Aloha International Piano Festival
Founded in 2006 by pianist Lisa Nakamichi, the Aloha International Piano Festival (AIPF) is a non-profit organization committed to educating Hawaii's children and teachers. AIPF addresses three main needs: the need for music teacher training, the need for low-cost music concerts and music education opportunities, and the need for high-caliber classes and lessons for piano students. AIPF strives to elevate the awareness of classical music in Hawaii while offering people of all ages the opportunity to experience music in a welcoming and educational setting. As a result of volunteer efforts and work to minimize administrative costs, AIPF has consistently offered programs at low and affordable rates for more than eight years. Visit alohapianofestival.com for more information.

The Aloha International Piano Festival gratefully acknowledges the support of The Atherton Foundation, the Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu, and the Music TEACHERS National Association Foundation.

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