Known for his passionate artistry and engaging stage presence, pianist Jon Kimura Parker has performed regularly at the Berlin Philharmonic, Carnegie Hall, London’s South Bank, the Sydney Opera House and the Beijing Concert Hall. In 2019, he was appointed the Minnesota Orchestra’s first-ever Creative Partner for Summer at Orchestra Hall, a new role in which he is serving as a creative force behind the Orchestra’s summer festival and appearing each summer as a host, performer and personality. He is also artistic director of the Honens International Piano Competition and artistic advisor for the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival.

Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Martinez has a reputation for the lyricism of her playing, her compelling interpretations, and her elegant stage presence.  Her playing has been described as “magical… a remarkable pianist, with a cool determination, a tone full of glowing color and a seemingly effortless technique” (Mark Swed of the LA Times) and “compelling …versatile, daring and insightful” (The New York Times).

Osip Nikiforov is a Russian pianist who studied under the tutelage of two world-renowned pianists: Yefim Bronfman at Manhattan School of Music and Jon Kimura Parker at Rice University. He is also a third prize winner of 2016 San Antonio International Piano Competition.

Born in Tainan City, Taiwan, Szuyu Su began to learn the piano at the age of 4. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the Curtis Institute of Music and master’s degree from the Juilliard School. She is currently pursuing her doctorate degree in piano performance at Rice University under the instruction of Jon Kimura Parker. She is the winner of the 2023 Solo Piano Competition at the Music Academy of the West. She is a recipient of the CHIMEI Arts Award and the second prize winner at the 2022 Mieczyslaw Munz Piano Competition.