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Evelyn Mo took first place in Lee University’s annual piano competition, the final phase of the International Piano Festival and Competition held June 17-22. Second place went to Allison To, and Phoebe Pan received third.

Finalists were chosen from a field of 10 outstanding young pianists, all of whom also participated in the week-long festival. The festival’s 20 participants enjoyed master classes and performances by legendary pianist Russell Sherman, as well as faculty and guest artists.

“It was gratifying that the high levels of talent and achievement we have come to expect for this Festival continued this year,” said Dr. Phillip Thomas, chairman of the festival and competition.

Mo, 14, is a sophomore at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Oak Hill, Va. She has been studying piano with Thomas Mastroianni since 2009. Mo has won first prizes at the 2013 Leschetizky Foundation Gifted Young Pianist Concerto Competition, 2013 Friday Morning Music Club High School Piano Competition, 2013 WMTA Lichtenberg Competition, and 2011 Chopin International Piano Competition in Hartford, Conn. She also performed with Camerata New York at the Merkin Hall in New York City.

To, 12, received silver medals at the 2011 Virginia Warning International Piano Competition and the International Russian Music Piano Competition. She was the youngest prize winner at the 2012 Gina Bachauer International Junior Piano Competition. To gave her concerto debut with the Seraphim Symphony in 2012 and has performed at the Weill Recital Hall and Yamaha Salon in New York City. She studies with Yi Dong and Ariel Yang at Opus119 Conservatory in Irvine, Calif.

Pan, 15, has appeared as soloist with the South Coast Symphony, Los Angeles Bach Festival Orchestra, Seraphim Symphony, and the Mount Orchestra. She has performed at Weill Recital Hall and Steinway Hall in New York City. Pan has won the first prize at the Dubois Piano Competition, Grand Prize at the Tureck International Bach Competition for Young Pianists, and Silver Medal at the Bösendorfer & Schimmel International Piano Competition. Pan studies with Yi Dong at the Opus 119 Conservatory in California.

For information on the annual Lee University International Piano Festival and Competition, please contact Lee’s School of Music at 614-8240.

Pictured here (left to right) are Thomas, guest artist and judge Wha Kyung Byun, Lee faculty Ning An, Mo, To, Pan, guest artist and judge Tian Ying, and Dr. William Green, Dean of Lee’s School of Music. (Photo courtesy of Robin Tirey)