October 12 -

Winner of the 2023 Beardsley Piano Prize Competition

- Pablo Valladares

Sponsored by Wade Mayberry

The first Fall Concert of the year always features the winner of the annual Robert B. Beardsley Piano Prize Competition. The winner of the 2023 competition is Pablo Valladares!

Pablo Valladares is a talented pianist and dedicated teacher from Quito, Ecuador. He's taken his music to audiences in China, Italy, Austria, the United States, and his home country. Pablo started his musical journey at Drake University, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Piano Performance. He continued his studies at Western Michigan University, earning a Master's degree in the same field. Currently, he's pursuing a Performance Diploma at Roosevelt University in Chicago, studying with Professors Edward Auer and Junghwa Moon Auer. At just 16, Valladares made his international debut at the University of Texas. Pablo has performed in Ecuador's famous theaters and on international stages. He's won awards, including the Drake University Concerto Competition and the Young Talent Competition by the National Symphony Orchestra of Ecuador. Aside from performing, Pablo is passionate about teaching. He has shared his knowledge and love of music at various institutions, inspiring students to explore their musical potential.

If you would like to learn more about the competition or view past winners, visit the Robert B. Beardsley Piano Finals page.

October 26 -

Jessica Tong

& Michael Sheppard

Sponsored by James Rieckhoff

Canadian violinist Jessica Tong has garnered international acclaim as a soloist, recitalist and chamber musician, having been described as an "outstanding talent" (Performing Arts in Canada) with "keen sensitivity and receptivity" (Bloomington Herald Times), who "allow[s] us to savour her sense of ardour and intensity, but never at the detriment of her tonal beauty" (ClassiqueInfo France). A recipient of a Canada Council Grant for Musicians and a DAAD scholar, she has been a top prizewinner at the Eckhardt-Gramatte, Toronto Symphony, Canadian Music, and Yellow Springs International Chamber Music Competitions, as well as the recipient of the David Ouchterlony Award for Outstanding Artist.

Michael Sheppard is a native of Philadelphia and resides in Baltimore, where he works at both the Peabody Conservatory and the Baltimore School for the Arts, sharing his love and understanding of music and the artistic process with future generations. He has worked closely with fellow composers John Corigliano, Christopher Theofanidis, Michael Hersch, Robert Sirota and with the late Nicholas Maw, demonstrating a deep love of new music; his eclectic tastes also led him recently to musical-direct performances of Jason Robert Brown's Broadway show “The Last Five Years”.

November 9 -

Tumaini Sango

Sponsored by Marie Smith

Tumaini Sango has been playing piano for fifteen years. He has participated in numerous festivals and piano competitions in the West Michigan area. He is a seasoned accompanist, with experience accompanying a wide variety of instruments and choral students in MSVMA festivals. Over the years, Tumaini has had the opportunity to play numerous weddings, receptions, dinner parties, and banquets, including the Grand Valley State University President’s Ball. In 2018, Tumaini was the winner of the St. Cecilia Philharmonic Piano Concerto Competition and the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony Piano Concerto Competition. Additionally, Tumaini is active in the music ministry of his local church.

November 25 -

Nicholas Roth

and the Euclid Quartet

Sponsored by Terry Trimmer (Roth) and Bob & Gail Martin (Euclid)

Nicholas Roth began formal studies at age twelve, receiving critical acclaim for his appearances by the age of eighteen. He appeared as soloist with the St. Louis Symphony and the Indianapolis Symphony under Raymond Leppard, among many others. Roth is a featured performer and teacher throughout North and South America, Europe, and Asia. He is a Yamaha Artist, a Beethoven Fellow of the American Pianists Association, earned prizes in the chamber music competitions of Tortona and Pietra Ligure, Italy, and received a DAAD grant to further his studies in Germany.  Sponsor Terry Trimmer

The Euclid Quartet enjoys one of the most highly regarded reputations of any chamber ensemble of its generation. Formed in Ohio in 1998, the Euclid Quartet takes its name from the famous Euclid Avenue in Cleveland, home to a wealth of renowned artistic and cultural institutions. Within three years, the ensemble was awarded the String Quartet Fellowship of the Aspen Music Festival, where it was invited to return for the subsequent summer’s concert season. The quartet was also invited to study with the Emerson String Quartet at the Carnegie Hall Professional Training Workshop. one