NEC Pianists Earn Top Honors at Tbilisi International Piano Competition
Published on October 27, 2026
NEC students and alumni Donghwi Kang ’29, Sunmin Kim ’23, and Haoyu Chen ’30 earned top placements at the Eighth Tbilisi International Piano Competition, held October 5–16, 2026, in Tbilisi, Georgia. Kang won third prize, receiving $7,000, Kim earned fifth prize and $4,000, and Chen received sixth prize and $3,000.
The international competition brings together pianists ages 16 to 33 for four rounds of performances, culminating in a final round featuring six competitors. NEC faculty member Alexander Korsantia was recently named the competition’s non-voting artistic director, further connecting the Conservatory to this international celebration of piano artistry.
Congratulations to these pianists on their wonderful achievements!
