International Association of Professional Music Teachers Presents An Evening of Musical Excellence at Carnegie Hall
New York, NY – July 1, 2025 – The International Association of Professional Music Teachers (IAPMT) hosted a captivating concert on Tuesday, July 1st, 2025, at the esteemed Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Despite a lightly raining evening with temperatures around 77°F and a gentle 10 mph wind, the atmosphere inside was vibrant, filled with anticipation for an evening of diverse musical talent.
The concert showcased the remarkable abilities of 24 dedicated participants, presenting a rich tapestry of classical and contemporary works. The program featured compositions from a wide array of celebrated composers, including Aaron Copland, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, Camille Saint-Saëns, Carl Koelling, Catherine Rollin, Frédéric Chopin, Johannes Brahms, Johann Sebastian Bach, Maurice Ravel, Melody Bober, Moritz Moszkowski, Pablo de Sarasate, Robert Schumann, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Each performance underscored the depth and breadth of musical artistry fostered by the IAPMT.
A particular highlight of the evening was the special guest performance by the Melodious Erhu Ensemble, an eight-person musical troupe hailing from Canada. Their exquisite renditions of “Sonata in C Minor, Op.13, No.8” and “Lovely Evening” by TianHua Liu, performed on traditional Chinese instruments, offered a unique and enchanting cultural dimension to the program. The ensemble’s mastery of the erhu and other instruments resonated deeply with the audience, providing a memorable cross-cultural musical experience.
The concert served as a testament to the dedication and talent within the professional music teaching community and its students, offering attendees an unforgettable night of musical excellence in one of the world’s most iconic venues.
Carnegie Hall Facts: The Iconic Main Hall
The centerpiece of Carnegie Hall, and arguably its most famous space, is the Isaac Stern Auditorium / Ronald O. Perelman Stage. This grand, five-tiered hall, seating approximately 2,804, is universally lauded for its extraordinary acoustics, a quality that has drawn legendary artists and captivated audiences for over a century. Its distinctive curvilinear design and lack of decorative elements on the walls are not merely aesthetic choices but are meticulously crafted features that contribute to its unparalleled sound clarity and warmth. From the soaring heights of the Balcony to the intimate experience of the First and Second Tier boxes, every seat offers a remarkable auditory experience. The stage itself, now named in honor of Ronald O. Perelman, has hosted countless iconic moments in music history, from the world premieres of classical masterpieces to the groundbreaking performances of jazz and popular music legends, cementing its status as one of the world’s most revered performance spaces. The auditorium was named for the legendary violinist Isaac Stern in 1997, recognizing his pivotal role in saving Carnegie Hall from demolition in the 1960s.
Featured Performers
BIN GUI
Originally from Qingdao, China, violinist Bin Gui enjoys a career as an orchestra player and a soloist. Gui has been a first violinist with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra since June 2022, and an orchestra member of Symphoria since June 2023. She has performed orchestra concerts in Carnegie Hall as well as the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts. Previously, she frequently served as the concertmaster of Manhattan School Symphony Orchestra and Mannes School orchestra. She was also a member of Camerata’s NY orchestra 2018-2019 and a member of Charlottesville and University Symphony orchestra 2012-2014.
As a soloist, Gui won numerous competitions, including the Vivaldi International Music Competition in 2022, the New York Artists International Competition in 2017, and the First National Violin Grade Examination Competition for Excellent Players in the highest grade. Recently, Gui has been invited as a returning soloist to the Great Room Arts Salon Season 2 concert in Greater New York.
An avid participant in summer music festivals, Gui was invited to festivals such as the Texas Music Festival, the National Orchestral Institute, Orford Academy, and MusicAlps. She also performed in solo and chamber masterclasses given by Glenn Dicterow, David Kim, Stephen Rose, Andrzej Grabiec, James Dunham, and Levon Chilingirian.
Gui held a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in classical violin performance from Manhattan School of Music with Prof. Lucie Robert, and she has recently got her second master’s degree in Orchestral Performance from the same school under the tutelage of Glenn Dicterow, Lisa Kim, and David Chan.
Daniel Shan
Daniel Shan
Keyboard and Vocal
Music is big part of my life. Using music to serve people is my goal.
I've been practicing piano almost everyday since I was 4 years old. When I was 10, I started keyboard accompaniment regularly in occasions like summer camps and choirs. Coming to the Bay Area is a big move for my music journey. Now I study with Yung Mee Rhee in her piano studio where my horizon was greatly broaden and I found my interests in singing while still majoring in piano. I long for bringing music with passion to my audience and letting people experience joy, hope and love.
I like music but I am proud of my other hobbies, too. I am a big fan of rubik cube and lego models. I competed twice at World Cube Association games and surprised all my naysayers by finishing a hand-made 3D piano structure using cardboard after 2 months hard work.
Isabelle Zhen
Isabelle Zhen, age 15, is a sophomore at Westlake High School. She is emerging as a compelling young artist who brings passion and versatility to her performances. Isabelle began her musical journey at age five with piano and discovered her love for violin during the pandemic. She began violin lessons in 2023 and is a member of WHS’s chamber orchestra.
Currently studying violin under the guidance of teacher Shuwei Liu and piano with Shuting Chen, Isabelle has achieved many honors in music. Her piano achievements include State and Branch honors from the MTAC, multiple invitations to perform at the MTAC convention, and gold medals in both the MTAC Festimantic and Advanced Contemporary Music Festival. She was also selected as a winner of the Southwest Youth Music Festival. Additionally, she has performed both piano and violin concertos with the Thousand Oaks Philharmonic Professional Orchestra.
Isabelle's commitment to sharing music extends beyond the concert hall. She regularly performs at local nursing homes, school quartets, and the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House, where she brings comfort and joy to cancer patients and their families through her music. Isabelle is a straight-A-student with gold presidential awards. Her dedication to excellence extends to athletics as well, where she contributes to Westlake High School's varsity tennis team, 2024 Southern California Division 1 CIF champions.
Isaiah An
I was born in 2008 and started playing the piano when I was four years old. I loved playing the piano from a young age just as much as I enjoyed playing with other toys. I participated in various recitals and CM tests, continuously progressing, and on November 2, 2024, I performed Bach’s Concerto in A Major for piano with a conductor and an orchestra. It was the most memorable and rewarding experience of all the competitions I had participated in.
JIHOON LEE
Jihoon Lee started learning piano at the age of seven. He is currently studying piano under the guidance of Ms. Mikyung Kim and Professor Iljoo Kim.
Recently, he has achieved outstanding results in numerous competitions, including:
2024 Yeungnam University National Music Competition – 1st Place
2024 56th Nanpa National Music Competition – 1st Place
2024 22nd University of Ulsan National Student Music Competition – 1st Place
2024 33rd Sungjung Music Competition – Gold Prize
2024 London International Music Competition – First Prize
2024 UK International Music Competition – Absolute First Prize
2024 European Classical Music Awards – Platinum Prize
2024 Amadeus International Music Awards – Gold Prize
2025 1st Eugene On Music International Piano Competition – 1st Place (Elementary Division)
2025 1st Korea Competition – Carnegie Grand Prize
Aside from music, Jihoon enjoys K-POP dance and solving mathematical equations.
Le Ji
Le Ji, born in China, is currently working in Oakland University as a collaborative pianist, as well as choir accompanist in Carolyn Mawby Chorale, Verna D. Holley Project Community Choir, Olivet Community School Choir, and Mason First Presbyterian Church Chorale. At the same time, she also serves as the piano director of the Transcendence Performing Arts Center. As an instrumental accompanist, she had worked for Samuel Rhodes, Nicholas Mann, Patinka Kopec, Michael Parloff, Dmitri Berlinsky, and among others. As a vocal accompanist, she works for George Shirley, Richard Fracker, Marc Embree, Melanie Helton, and so on.
Sam Vaillancourt
Violinist Sam Vaillancourt served as concertmaster of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, with whom he was featured as a soloist in 2024, and he served as concertmaster of the Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus, with whom he was featured as a soloist in 2021, 2022, and 2023. He performed as a member of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra Chamber Players, and the Franklin Pond Chamber Music Program. He was chosen to represent the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra in a chamber concert where he performed with members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. He is currently a contracted violinist in the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and an Artist Ambassador for the Samuel Vargas International Music Foundation, for which he was on the jury for the 2024 SV Scholars violin competition.
In 2023, Sam attended the ENCORE Chamber Music Institute, where he worked with renowned artists and esteemed faculty, including but not limited to Paul Kantor, Jinjoo Cho, Brendan Shea, Steve Miahky, the Catalyst and Cavani Quartets, and more. In 2023/2024, Sam attended the Red Rocks Winter Chamber Music Festival, where he worked with renowned artists such as Shmuel Ashkenasi, Sheila Browne, and Tom Landshoot. In 2024, Sam attended the Bowdoin International Music Festival where he had the opportunity to work with Sergiu Schwartz, and give many featured performances. In 2022, Sam attended the Montecito International Music Festival where he performed in a masterclass for Rice University/Juilliard violin professor and international soloist, Cho Liang Lin. In 2021, Sam attended the Chamber Festival Intensive at the Idyllwild Summer Arts Academy where he was named assistant concertmaster of the festival orchestra and worked with Los Angeles’ Colburn School of Music faculty Sam Fischer and John Walz. In 2022 Sam’s quintet was featured in a masterclass given by Emerson String Quartet members Phil Setzer and Lawrence Dutton. Through the Schwob School of music, he has also had the opportunity to perform in a masterclass for the Quicksilver Baroque Ensemble, and serve as a featured solo artist for the Schwob School of Music’s Annual “Kaleidoscope” production in 2024, as well as a soloist in the Schwob School’s Opening Convocation in the same year.
Sam is involved in many ensembles at the Schwob School of Music, including but not limited to various chamber groups, faculty-student exchanges, the Schwob Philharmonic, where he served as rotating concertmaster in 2024, the Schwob Virtuosi Ensemble, the Schwob Opera Orchestra, and has served as Principal Second Violin for the Columbus Ballet pit orchestra since 2023. Sam has participated in All-State Orchestras annually since 2020, performing in leadership roles in 2023 (concertmaster), 2021 (concertmaster), and 2020 (principal second) and was a finalist in the 2021 Alpharetta Symphony Orchestra Youth Concerto Competition. He was awarded 4th place in the same competition in 2020. He competed in the Junior, Senior, and Young Artist MTNA competitions in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024, where he received Honorable Mention in 2021, 2023, and 2024. In 2024, Sam was named a finalist for the inaugural Panama City Symphony Emerging Young Artists Competition, and the Schwob School of Music Concerto Competition. In 2022, Sam was awarded 1st prize in the Great Composers Competition: Best Saint Saens Performance. He was also awarded 1st prize Great Composers Competition: Best Saint Saens Performance in the solo and chamber divisions. Sam was also awarded 1st prize in the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition in 2023. Sam was awarded 2nd Prize in the Great Composers Competition: Best Bach Performance in 2024. Sam was named as an alternate for the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America in 2023 and is one of three winners of the Schwob School of Music’s Woodruff Scholarship. He was also awarded second prize in the Atlanta Federation of Musicians’ John H. Head Scholarship Competition. He currently studies violin performance with Prof. Sergiu Schwartz at the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University. Sam currently plays on a violin made by Wojciech Topa in 2020.
Also, an accomplished pianist and composer, Sam received ABRSM Theory 5 distinction and Piano Performance Level 5 Distinction, the highest level for both categories. He was a National Award of Excellence winner & GA State winner of the 2018-19 PTA Reflections Music Composition competition. In 2017-18 he was the regional and Georgia state winner in the PTA Reflections competition for Music Composition. Sam was awarded an Award of Distinction for the 2021 ABRSM piano competition, a GMTA Honorable Mention award for his piano performance in the 2019 state auditions, and an Award of Excellence for 2020.
