2020 Gurwitz Medalists
The Gurwitz 2024 International Piano Competition saw three pianists rise to the top following Round II eliminations. Jiale Li (Gold), Yedam Kim (Silver) and Leonardo Colafelice (Bronze) were able to perform with clarinetist Kinan Azmeh and percussionist John Hadfield of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble, and then compete for medal placement in Round IV with the San Antonio Symphony.
Besides their respective monetary awards of $25,000, $15,000, and $10,000, these pianists have since been re-engaged for concerts with The Gurwitz’s parent organization, Musical Bridges Around the World, as well as other connected partners.
As of October 2023, each pianist has been engaged in the following ways:
Jiale Li, 2020 Gold Medalist
- Presiding as a Preliminary Jurist for the 2024 Gurwitz International Piano Competition
- September 2023
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- 3 concerts during Musical Bridges Around the World’s 26th season. Concert video coming soon!
- 2 local university masterclasses
- Video interview with Alamo Music Center
Yedam Kim, 2020 Silver Medalist
- May 2022 – 3 performances in San Antonio, TX for Musical Bridges Around the World’s 24th concert season. Click here to watch the full concert at San Fernando Cathedral
- February 2023
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- Performance with the Gwangju Symphony Orchestra in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Sister City relations between San Antonio, TX and Gwangju, South Korea. Click here to watch the full concert.
- Piano masterclass given at Musical Arts Center of San Antonio.
Leonardo Colafelice, 2020 Bronze Medalist
- January 2021 – Virtual concert production for Musical Bridges Around the World’s 23rd concert season. Click here to watch the full concert
- March 2023 – 3 performances in San Antonio, TX for Musical Bridges Around the World’s 25th concert season. Click here to watch the full concert at San Fernando Cathedral
Booking Inquiries
For booking inquires of the 2020 Medalists, please contact Gurwitz Artistic Director Elena Portnaya, DMA.
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