About the Young Artists
2015-2016 GSO Concerto Competition
Tony Chen, piano
Tony Chen is a 17-year-old senior at Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis. He is a pianist who has true passion towards music and piano performance. He has studied piano under Dr. Rose Marie Wang since 2006, and this training combined with the composers’ intentions and Tony’s love of music create an experiential music event for audiences as well as Tony, whose happiness in expressing and playing the music is part of his identity.
Plato wrote, "Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” If there be truth to this adage, it is reflected in Tony Chen’s universe where he actively applies his mind, imagination and life to everything he does. He began piano lessons at age five in Cheshire, Connecticut under Mrs. Ludmilla Ozeryanksy and continued when he moved to Memphis, TN in 2006 where he has since studied with Dr. Rose Marie Wang. Over the last couple of years, he has also been receiving periodic instruction from Mrs. Mary Ann Covert.
As a sixth grader Tony started alto saxophone lessons that he continues with Mr. Allen Rippe, and has performed with Lausanne's concert and pep bands, local honor bands, as well as in the pit orchestra for Lausanne's musical productions. As a pianist, he has won many honors and awards
including: Beethoven Club Young Artist Piano Competition 1st Place 2015, 2nd Place 2012, 3rd Place 2011, 1st Place 2008; Tennessee Music Teachers Association (TMTA) State 1st Place 2015, 3rd Place 2013, 2nd Place 2012, 1st Place 2008; maximum scholarship awarded for Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts 2014 where he studied piano performance with Dr. Jerome Reed and other Faculties from universities across the state; State Runner-Up Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Senior Division 2014; 1st Place University of Tennessee Martin Young Artist Piano Competition in 2008(Elementary division), 2012 (Intermediate Division), 2013 (Senior Division); Scholarship winner of the Nashville International Piano Competition 2014; 2nd Place, Tennessee Technical University Young Artist Piano Competition 2012; 1st Place University of Central Arkansas Young Artist Piano Competition 2012; Tony applied his scholarship as a winner of this year’s GSO’s Concerto Competition toward private lessons.
Tony loves all his subjects at the Lausanne Collegiate School where he is a senior and a member of numerous societies including the Cum Laude Society, English, French Honor, National Honor, Science Honor and Rho Kappa Societies. In addition to participating, Tony is a leader of Lausanne's Math Club, Science Bowl Team and Model UN Club this year, and he serves as a committee chairman for the Southeastern High School Model UN Conference in Chattanooga. Lausanne’s Varsity Tennis Team claims Tony as a member as does the Tennessee Wushu Team, through which he has performed at the annual Chinese New Year’s celebration at the University of Memphis.
Plato wrote, "Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” If there be truth to this adage, it is reflected in Tony Chen’s universe where he actively applies his mind, imagination and life to everything he does. He began piano lessons at age five in Cheshire, Connecticut under Mrs. Ludmilla Ozeryanksy and continued when he moved to Memphis, TN in 2006 where he has since studied with Dr. Rose Marie Wang. Over the last couple of years, he has also been receiving periodic instruction from Mrs. Mary Ann Covert.
As a sixth grader Tony started alto saxophone lessons that he continues with Mr. Allen Rippe, and has performed with Lausanne's concert and pep bands, local honor bands, as well as in the pit orchestra for Lausanne's musical productions. As a pianist, he has won many honors and awards
including: Beethoven Club Young Artist Piano Competition 1st Place 2015, 2nd Place 2012, 3rd Place 2011, 1st Place 2008; Tennessee Music Teachers Association (TMTA) State 1st Place 2015, 3rd Place 2013, 2nd Place 2012, 1st Place 2008; maximum scholarship awarded for Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts 2014 where he studied piano performance with Dr. Jerome Reed and other Faculties from universities across the state; State Runner-Up Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Senior Division 2014; 1st Place University of Tennessee Martin Young Artist Piano Competition in 2008(Elementary division), 2012 (Intermediate Division), 2013 (Senior Division); Scholarship winner of the Nashville International Piano Competition 2014; 2nd Place, Tennessee Technical University Young Artist Piano Competition 2012; 1st Place University of Central Arkansas Young Artist Piano Competition 2012; Tony applied his scholarship as a winner of this year’s GSO’s Concerto Competition toward private lessons.
Tony loves all his subjects at the Lausanne Collegiate School where he is a senior and a member of numerous societies including the Cum Laude Society, English, French Honor, National Honor, Science Honor and Rho Kappa Societies. In addition to participating, Tony is a leader of Lausanne's Math Club, Science Bowl Team and Model UN Club this year, and he serves as a committee chairman for the Southeastern High School Model UN Conference in Chattanooga. Lausanne’s Varsity Tennis Team claims Tony as a member as does the Tennessee Wushu Team, through which he has performed at the annual Chinese New Year’s celebration at the University of Memphis.
Marissa Liu, piano
Marissa Liu is the GSO’s ten-year-old award winning guest pianist. Marissa’s musical history began six years ago when she started taking piano lessons at the age of four. One year later as a five-year-old, when Marissa began winning piano competitions, Carnegie Hall in New York City invited Marissa to perform and her musical trajectory became apparent. Marissa’s remarkable gift, disciplined practice, parental guidance and piano studies have enabled her to develop pianistic abilities and performance power on par with her being recognized as a prodigy.
Thus far Marissa has won numerous national and international piano competitions such as Grand Prize winner of the prestigious Cincinnati World Piano Competition (Young Artist Division); Grand Prix winner of the Sonatina and Sonata International Youth Piano Competition; Runner-up of World Pianist Invitational Competition at Washington DC, Grand Prize winner of 2014 Mid-South Fair Junior Youth Talent Competition; and solo/concerto winner of Tennessee Music Teachers Association (TMTA) State Competition; Other prizes include 2nd Place of MVSU 2015 Pre-College Piano Competition; First Prize winner of J.D. Kelly Piano Competition 2015; Winner of Mid-South Fair Preliminary Piano Competition 2015, 2014, 2011 & 2010; Winner of University of Tennessee Piano Competition 2014 & 2011; 2nd Place of Beethoven Club Young Artist Piano Competition 2014; and Winner of Mid-South Delta Fair Piano All-Stars Competition 2011. As a winner of this season’s GSO Concerto Competition, she applied her scholarship toward private lessons.
Marissa has been invited to perform at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall in New York City and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. She made her first live broadcast performance on WREG 9 Live when she was six years old, and has been giving solo public recitals for the past years.
Marissa currently studies piano with Ms. Judith Fairchild of Memphis, Tennessee. Prior to Ms. Fairchild, Marissa studied with Mrs. Mary Ann Covert and Mrs. Nanmin Xu. Marissa has studied at masterclasses of acclaimed piano teachers such as Ms. Bonnie Kellert, Dr. Dorian Leljak, Dr. Edvinas Minkstimas and Dr. J.D. Kelly.
In addition to music, Marissa thrives academically as a fifth grade student at Crosswinds Elementary school in Collierville, TN and she also excels in swimming, art and dance. To see and hear Marissa perform is to witness the crossroads of talent and history in progress.
Thus far Marissa has won numerous national and international piano competitions such as Grand Prize winner of the prestigious Cincinnati World Piano Competition (Young Artist Division); Grand Prix winner of the Sonatina and Sonata International Youth Piano Competition; Runner-up of World Pianist Invitational Competition at Washington DC, Grand Prize winner of 2014 Mid-South Fair Junior Youth Talent Competition; and solo/concerto winner of Tennessee Music Teachers Association (TMTA) State Competition; Other prizes include 2nd Place of MVSU 2015 Pre-College Piano Competition; First Prize winner of J.D. Kelly Piano Competition 2015; Winner of Mid-South Fair Preliminary Piano Competition 2015, 2014, 2011 & 2010; Winner of University of Tennessee Piano Competition 2014 & 2011; 2nd Place of Beethoven Club Young Artist Piano Competition 2014; and Winner of Mid-South Delta Fair Piano All-Stars Competition 2011. As a winner of this season’s GSO Concerto Competition, she applied her scholarship toward private lessons.
Marissa has been invited to perform at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall in New York City and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. She made her first live broadcast performance on WREG 9 Live when she was six years old, and has been giving solo public recitals for the past years.
Marissa currently studies piano with Ms. Judith Fairchild of Memphis, Tennessee. Prior to Ms. Fairchild, Marissa studied with Mrs. Mary Ann Covert and Mrs. Nanmin Xu. Marissa has studied at masterclasses of acclaimed piano teachers such as Ms. Bonnie Kellert, Dr. Dorian Leljak, Dr. Edvinas Minkstimas and Dr. J.D. Kelly.
In addition to music, Marissa thrives academically as a fifth grade student at Crosswinds Elementary school in Collierville, TN and she also excels in swimming, art and dance. To see and hear Marissa perform is to witness the crossroads of talent and history in progress.
Sarah Oh, flute
Sarah Oh is an emerging flutist whose sublime music is a majestic quintessence of soul,
energy and creativity. This flutescence is a Sarah Oh musical trademark.
Ms. Myung Kim, Sarah’s flute teacher, has been with Sarah from the beginning of Sarah’s journey with the flute when she started lessons eight years ago in the fourth grade. The period since has been marked by musical achievement, accomplishment and an array of awards. Among these are: Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall for Flute, 2013 Second Chair; Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) 2012 State winner Southern Division Alternate 2nd Place and MTNA 2013 State Representative; Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) Music Festival Winner 2013; Tennessee Music Teacher Association (TMTA) Flute competition winner 2013 & 2014; Memphis Youth Symphony Orchestra 2012 & 2013; Germantown Youth Symphony Orchestra 2013 & 2014; Beethoven Club Young Artist Competition Winner 2012; Memphis Youth Symphony Concerto Competition 2014 Honorable Mention; Beethoven Club Young Artist Competition 2015 3rd Place; All West Band 2010-2015, and AllState Band 2015.
Ludwig van Beethoven wrote, "Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosphy. Music is the electrical soil in which the spirit lives, thinks and invents." Sarah Oh is an inspired personification of Beethoven’s concept. Sarah has flourished in school at Houston High School in Germantown, Tennessee where her numerous honors, accomplishments and extracurricular activities are evidence that Sarah is inspired and an inspiration. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Honors Academy, Rho Kappa, 30+ Club (30 and above on ACT) where members tutor other students. Sarah’s Competitive academic awards include School Science Fair 2014 2nd Place Science Project of Piezoelectricity; Governor’s School for the Sciences and Engineering 2014 accepted into Summer Talented Program by Tennessee State; Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Competition 2014 and Biomedical Debate Competition 2015 for regional and state levels; Battle of the Brain 2014; National Youth Leadership Forum: Medicine, Summer 2013 Accepted into Medical Summer Program in Chicago; Participated in Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Summer Program at Johns Hopkins University 2012. As both a freshman 2012-2013 and junior 2014-2015 Sarah served on the Houston High School Student Government as Secretary; is in the Houston High School Marching Band; and worked as a part-time volunteer for two months in the radiology and surgical departments in the summer of 2013.
The money awarded from the GSO Competition was used for flute lessons with Ms. Myung Kim. Sarah wants to play in an orchestra while in college and to continue to pursue solo competitions. As to college majors, Sarah is interested in pre-med at this time.
energy and creativity. This flutescence is a Sarah Oh musical trademark.
Ms. Myung Kim, Sarah’s flute teacher, has been with Sarah from the beginning of Sarah’s journey with the flute when she started lessons eight years ago in the fourth grade. The period since has been marked by musical achievement, accomplishment and an array of awards. Among these are: Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall for Flute, 2013 Second Chair; Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) 2012 State winner Southern Division Alternate 2nd Place and MTNA 2013 State Representative; Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) Music Festival Winner 2013; Tennessee Music Teacher Association (TMTA) Flute competition winner 2013 & 2014; Memphis Youth Symphony Orchestra 2012 & 2013; Germantown Youth Symphony Orchestra 2013 & 2014; Beethoven Club Young Artist Competition Winner 2012; Memphis Youth Symphony Concerto Competition 2014 Honorable Mention; Beethoven Club Young Artist Competition 2015 3rd Place; All West Band 2010-2015, and AllState Band 2015.
Ludwig van Beethoven wrote, "Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosphy. Music is the electrical soil in which the spirit lives, thinks and invents." Sarah Oh is an inspired personification of Beethoven’s concept. Sarah has flourished in school at Houston High School in Germantown, Tennessee where her numerous honors, accomplishments and extracurricular activities are evidence that Sarah is inspired and an inspiration. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Honors Academy, Rho Kappa, 30+ Club (30 and above on ACT) where members tutor other students. Sarah’s Competitive academic awards include School Science Fair 2014 2nd Place Science Project of Piezoelectricity; Governor’s School for the Sciences and Engineering 2014 accepted into Summer Talented Program by Tennessee State; Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Competition 2014 and Biomedical Debate Competition 2015 for regional and state levels; Battle of the Brain 2014; National Youth Leadership Forum: Medicine, Summer 2013 Accepted into Medical Summer Program in Chicago; Participated in Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Summer Program at Johns Hopkins University 2012. As both a freshman 2012-2013 and junior 2014-2015 Sarah served on the Houston High School Student Government as Secretary; is in the Houston High School Marching Band; and worked as a part-time volunteer for two months in the radiology and surgical departments in the summer of 2013.
The money awarded from the GSO Competition was used for flute lessons with Ms. Myung Kim. Sarah wants to play in an orchestra while in college and to continue to pursue solo competitions. As to college majors, Sarah is interested in pre-med at this time.