Free Events at Aloha International Piano Festival

KAILUA, Hawaii - May 28, 2014 - PRLog -- Free events for music lovers of all ages are a highlight of the 2014 Aloha International Piano Festival (AIPF), which opens Sunday, June 8 at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu. In 2014, AIPF continues its tradition of offering the community many free and low-cost opportunities to enjoy the weeklong festival, including the chance to experience a piano masterclass with Haewon Song, acclaimed concert pianist and associate professor at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Free events also include the Aloha International Adult Amateur Competition, as well as free admission for students of all ages to the Father’s Day concert featuring winners of the Aloha International Piano Competition.

Now in its ninth year, AIPF has grown from a grassroots event for local piano students and their teachers to a significant international festival and competition, drawing hundreds of aspiring young musicians, concert pianists and educators from the world’s most respected music conservatories. To learn more, visit alohapianofestival.com and follow AIPF on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/AlohaPianoFestival).

Aloha International Piano Festival: Free Events
All events are presented at the Hawaii Convention Center: 1801 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, 96815

Masterclass with Haewon Song
Free Event: No tickets required
Tuesday, June 10 at 9:30 am
Concert pianist, associate professor at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and member of the acclaimed Oberlin Trio, Haewon Song returns to AIPF to conduct a masterclass performed by students enrolled in the Aloha International Piano Academy. Come and enjoy the performances by talented students from around the world! Students and teachers of all instruments are especially encouraged to attend. To learn more about Haewon Song, visit Oberlin Conservatory (http://new.oberlin.edu/conservatory/faculty/faculty-detai...).

Aloha International Adult Amateur Competition
Free Event: No tickets required
Friday, June 13 at 6:00 pm
The Aloha International Piano Festival’s Adult Amateur Competition is designed to celebrate the life-long love and practice of piano playing and to provide a goal for every participant. While awards are given to outstanding participants, the main purpose of the event is less on the competition than on the sharing of musical experience with fellow participants and audience members. Judges include concert pianists Jon Nakamatsu (http://www.jonnakamatsu.com/) and Frederic Chiu (http://fredericchiu.com/Frederic%20Chiu%20Official%20Website/Biography.html). Come and support the adult amateurs, aged 25 and up, participating from Japan, the U.S. mainland, and across Hawaii. Audience members will have a chance to participate!

Aloha International Piano Competition: Levels A, B, Junior, High School Divisions
Saturday, June 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free Event: No tickets required
The public is invited to watch the competition in action and support young pianists from around the world as they compete for Festival honors. The Competition continues throughout the day. First prizewinners of Level B through Young Artist divisions will receive a full scholarship to attend the 2015 Aloha International Piano Academy (a value of $500). One special award of $1,000 will be given to the most outstanding winner competing in the junior, high school or young artist level.

Aloha International Piano Competition: Young Artist Division
Saturday, June 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Free Event: No tickets required
Be a part of an international caliber competition as young artists gather in Hawaii to compete for Festival honors. This competition challenges young pianists, offering them a unique public performance opportunity and the feedback of the judging panel, which includes celebrated pianists Frederic Chiu, John Bayless, Thomas Sauer, Haewon Song, and AIPF Founder Lisa Nakamichi. Competitors in the Young Artist Division are eligible to receive a $1,000 special award.

Aloha International Piano Competition: Concerto Division
Sunday, June 15 from 9 a.m. to noon
FREE ADMISSION!
The public is invited to watch the competition in action as young pianists from around the world compete to win the opportunity to perform in concert as the featured artist with the Hawaii Youth Symphony (http://hiyouthsymphony.org/). Two winners will be selected to perform with the Hawaii Youth Symphony at the winter concert on December 7, 2014 at Blaisdell Concert Hall in Honolulu.

Father’s Day Celebration Concert
Sunday, June 15 at 4 p.m.
Tickets: General $10, Students FREE
Winners of the 2014 Aloha International Piano Competition treat the audience to highlights of their prize-winning works. Don't miss the dazzling performances by these incredibly young talents! This event is free for students.

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 (http://www.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.