A Resounding Success: International Association of Professional Music Teachers Concert at Esterházy Palace
Eisenstadt, Austria – June 14th, 2025 – The historic Haydn Hall at Esterhazy Palace once again played host to an extraordinary musical event, as the International Association of Professional Music Teachers (IAPMT) presented a captivating concert on Saturday, June 14th, 2025, at 1:00 PM. Under fair skies with a pleasant 73°F temperature and gentle 6 mph winds, the atmosphere was perfect for an afternoon of exquisite artistry.
The concert featured a total of 22 talented participants, culminating in a truly memorable experience for all in attendance. A highlight of the afternoon was the appearance of two very special guest artists: the brilliant pianist Suki Lai and the acclaimed soprano Olivera Mercurio.
Suki Lai graced the stage with a spirited and masterful piano performance of Joseph Haydn’s “Sonata in D Major, 3rd Movement,” captivating the audience with her technical prowess and musical sensitivity. Following this, Olivera Mercurio delivered a spellbinding rendition of “Sola, Perduta, Abbandonata” from Giacomo Puccini’s iconic opera Manon Lescaut, her powerful and emotive voice filling the hall with dramatic intensity.
The diverse program showcased a rich tapestry of classical compositions, with additional musical selections from revered composers including Albert Pieczonka, Camille Saint-Saëns, Edward MacDowell, Felix Mendelssohn, Franz Joseph Haydn, Frédéric Chopin, Giacomo Puccini, Giuseppe Verdi, Johann Sebastian Bach, Joseph Haydn, Kristina Arakelyan, Ludwig van Beethoven, Muzio Clementi, Robert Schumann, Robert Vandall, William Gillock, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
The IAPMT concert at Esterhazy Palace was a testament to the enduring power of music and the dedication of its professional practitioners, leaving the audience with a profound appreciation for the artistry displayed.
Esterházy Palace Facts: From Fortress to Palace
Esterházy Palace’s origins trace back to the late 13th century, when it stood as a Gothic castle. Initially a defensive fortress, it was owned first by the Gutkeled family before passing to the powerful Kanizsay family in 1364. Under their ownership, the castle underwent significant development and was integrated into the city’s defenses, becoming a “medieval city castle.” Its strategic location at the western border of the Kingdom of Hungary underscored its military importance during a turbulent era.
The castle’s character began to evolve over centuries, shifting from a pure stronghold to a more comfortable residence. This transformation accelerated in 1622 when the Esterházy family acquired the property. While the grandeur of the Baroque palace we see today largely stems from the Esterházys’ extensive renovations in the 17th century, it rests upon the foundational stones of this much older medieval fortress, a testament to its enduring historical significance.
Featured Performers
Cayden Croswhite
Cayden Croswhite is a 6 th grader attending Valley Christian Schools in San Jose, California. He started learning piano when he was 5 years old and currently studies with Dr. Yu-Chi Tai. At age 7, Cayden won 1 st Prize and Outstanding Gold Medalist at U.S. Open Music Competition. Since then, he has participated and won top prizes in many competitions including MTAC Piano Concerto Competition, CAPMT Honors
Competition, CAPMT Contemporary Competition, CAPMT Concerto Competition, and USIMC. In 2024, he won First Place at the American Protégé International Music Talent Competition and gave his debut performance at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.
Cayden has been honored to participate in master classes from renowned pianists including Ian Hobson, Meng-Chieh Liu, Antonio Pompa-Baldi, Victor Rosenbaum, Jean-David Coen, Vyacheslav Gryaznov, Sandra Wright Shen, Joachim Reinhuber, Yu-Jane Yang, and Ratko Delorko. Meanwhile, he loves playing chamber music and has been selected to perform at music festivals such as C’est Bon Chamber Music Festival, Peng Piano Academy, and Oclef Contemporary Music Festival. He is a member of Valley Christian Junior Conservatory Chamber Ensemble.
In addition to piano, he has been learning violin for three years and is part of Valley Christian Middle School Orchestra. Apart from music, Cayden is a competitive swimmer, having participated in Age Group Championships and Far Western Championships multiple times. Cayden aims to achieve excellence as an athlete in the future.
Grace Jordan Francois-Rosa
American pianist Grace Jordan is an emerging classical artist whose performances are shaped by both a deep love for the classical tradition and a thoughtful curiosity about the stories behind the music she performs.
Grace began studying piano at the age of six and has pursued advanced musical training under Mrs. Olga Corcoran. Alongside her formal studies, she has participated in numerous music festivals and masterclasses with world-class pedagogues, experiences that have further enriched her artistic development. In 2025 she performed in Vienna, Prague, and Dresden, and completed summer music studies in Cremona, Italy, a city long associated with the great traditions of European musical craftsmanship.
Grace has completed the upper levels of the Royal Conservatory of Music Certificate Program, earning First Class Honors and Honors with Distinction, and has also received high distinction in music theory through both the Royal Conservatory of Music and the Music Teachers’ Association of California. She has consistently earned Superior Ratings in the National Guild of Piano Teachers Auditions and has been regularly invited to perform in the National Federation of Music Clubs Honors Recital, recognizing her continued musical excellence.
Grace was awarded First Place in the Grand Concours International Piano Competition for Romantic repertoire, presented by the International Association of Professional Music Teachers (IAPMT), an honor that led to her performance at Carnegie Hall in 2025. In 2026, she earned First Place in the U.S. International Open Music Competition (Advanced Category) for both Baroque and Contemporary repertoire, along with Second Place honors in the Classical, Romantic, and Young Artist divisions.
Her repertoire spans the classical tradition from Bach and Beethoven to Chopin and Schumann, alongside modern composers such as George Gershwin. Her performances reflect a thoughtful approach to interpretation and a curiosity about the musical ideas that shape the works she studies. Particularly drawn to the historical and cultural context behind the music she performs, Grace enjoys sharing these insights through written reflections that accompany her performances.
Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Grace continues to develop her work as both a performer and emerging scholar. She plans to pursue future studies in piano performance and musicology, seeking to deepen her understanding of the classical tradition while sharing its beauty and meaning with audiences of all ages.
Hanson Lei
- 2022 S.Y.M.F., 3rd place
- 2023 S.Y.M.F., 1st place
- 2023 Satori summer music festival, 2nd place
- 2024 S.Y.M.F., 4th place
- 2023-2024 SGV MTAC Theme festival, 1st place
- 2023-2024 SGV MTAC Bach festival winner
- 2024 Southern California Junior Bach festival, Regional Honor
- 2025 GOCAA International Music Competition: Preliminary Round, First Prize
- 2025 IPPA International Piano Competition United States Division: National Round, Bronze Award
Mariasofia De Tommaso
Mariasofia De Tommaso was born on February 2, 2017. She is the winner of national and international competitions: International Music Competition "Ezio Bosso", "Muse in Musica".
Miri Park
Miri Park is a pianist and educator pursuing a Doctorate in Piano Pedagogy at Texas Tech University. Originally from Seoul, Korea, she began her piano studies at the age of five and gained recognition through numerous competition awards and her first solo recital at twelve.
She trained at Seoul Arts High School, Korea’s most prestigious arts institution, before earning her bachelor's degree from Ewha Womans University in Seoul, Korea, where she received a major leadership scholarship, was consistently on the Dean’s List, and graduated magna cum laude, ranking second in her department. She later completed her Master’s in Piano Pedagogy at Texas Tech University, where she also earned a Graduate Certificate in Collaborative Piano. She continues her doctoral studies under Professor Daniel del Pino and Dr. Carla Davis Cash.
Alongside her academic work, Miri is an active freelance collaborative pianist and serves as a teaching assistant at Texas Tech University, mentoring students in piano performance and pedagogy.
