Yuki Yoshimi ’24, ’26 MM Reaches Finals of Queen Elisabeth Competition

Alumnus Yuki Yoshimi '24, '26 MM advanced to the final round of the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Competition, one of the most renowned classical music competitions in the world. In the culminating stage of the competition, Yoshimi delivered an emotionally resonant performance of Kris Defoort's Music for the Heart by Belgian, followed by a dynamic and virtuosic interpretation of Sergey Prokofiev’s Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26.

Yoshimi was previously a semi-finalist at the 2021 edition of the Queen Elisabeth Competition, and his return this year as a finalist confirms his place among today’s most promising young concert pianists. Born in Japan, Yoshimi graduated from the Toho Gakuen School of Music, where he studied under Hisako Ueno and Kei Itoh. He later pursued graduate studies at the New England Conservatory of Music under the guidance of Alexander Korsantia. His competition resume is extensive, with semi-finalist placements at the Naumburg Competition in 2023 and the Gina Bachauer Competition in 2024.

Beyond competitions, he has cultivated a strong performance profile in Japan, appearing in recital at major venues such as Oji Hall (2024), Kyoto Concert Hall and Hamarikyu Asahi Hall (2023), and Toppan Hall (2019). In 2019, he was selected as a Chanel Pygmalion Days artist, performing a six-concert series at Tokyo’s Nexus Hall.

Yoshimi has also appeared as a soloist with leading Japanese orchestras, including the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, New Japan Philharmonic, Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra, Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, and Tacticart Orchestra.

We applaud you, Yuki!