Fouk performs at international festival

Jonathan Fouk of Woodbury was selected to perform in the e- Piano Junior Festival in connection with the Minnesota International Piano-e-Competition July 8. Fouk performed in a master class that day and then again in a recital at Hamline University’s Sundin Hall. Pianists, ages 17 and younger, from around the world participated in the event.

The e-Piano Junior Festival is a series of master classes given by the international judging committee for the International e-Piano Junior Competition. Fouk performed “Clair de lune” during the master class with Tigran Alikhanov, who has taught more than 30 years at the Moscow Conservatory. Professor Alikhanov has been the head of the department of chamber ensemble and quartet for more than 15 years, and since 1992 has also worked at the Moscow Conservatory Music College.

Fouk, a ninth-grader at New Life Academy, Woodbury, began taking piano lessons at age six when his father was relocated to Shanghai. The family lived in several other countries and finally settled in Minnesota. With frequent relocation in the past eight years, Fouk studied under five piano teachers. His current teacher is Grace Kopitske, NCTM, with whom he has studied for 3 years.

He has received high comments in the MMTA (Minnesota Music Teachers Association) contests and Junior Young Artist competitions and performed in the MMTA Honors Concert for 3 years. He has passed MMTA Piano and Theory Examinations with high distinctions, has participated in the St. Paul Piano Teachers Honors and Awards Competition and received Honorable Mentions in 2007 and 2008. Fouk also earned consecutive superior ratings in both piano solo and concerto divisions in the National Federation of Music Clubs.

For information about the event, visit www.piano-e-competition.com.

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