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Erika came to the U.S. as a Fulbright grantee to pursue a Ph.D. in History of Performing Arts. While working as faculty at Johns Hopkins University, and then as a curator/librarian at Harvard University for 25 years, her love for music always served as a source of happiness. After enjoying piano as a listener, she revisited her piano study several years ago. Her accomplishments include Level 10 Certificate with Honor from the Royal Conservatory of Music, and First Prize for Irena Orlov Competition at the Levine School. She has made concert performances at the Dutch Embassy, the Center for Hellenic Studies of Harvard University, and Distinction Student Recitals at Levine Strathmore and Washington D.C. campus.

As a historian, her interest is underrated, unfinished, ignored, anonymous, and never-premiered piano music. In her original discipline, history, it is rare to find important undiscovered documents. However, in the domain of music manuscripts, there are surprisingly many hidden gems. Just to name a few, there is a Russian composer who died during the Siege of Leningrad at the age of 28, or a Japanese composer who studied at Leipzig around 1900 and left one major piano piece before his death at 24 years old. There are many piano pieces she wants the world to listen to. As this is her very first public competition, Erika managed to include only a few comparatively unknown pieces.

“Not only the recognized ‘valuable’ music survives. Much of what is preserved is simply what had the resources to be recorded, or was favored by ruling classes. Forgotten and anonymous music can be revived and breathe new life by being discovered in historical archives, recorded in digital projects, and performed by (even amateur) pianists.”

Dr. William Bloomquist, Riva, MD, has served as a pastor for 30 years. In 1996 he entered the ministry full-time and is currently the Pastor of Worship & Connections at Severna Park Baptist Church. In 2021 he transitioned to pastoring half-time which allowed him time to devote himself to the piano once again. He began his piano studies at the age of six in Arizona and earned piano degrees from U of MD (BM, MM) and U of TX (DMA). His primary teachers were Audrey Brown, Thomas Schumacher, and Nancy Garrett.

Before entering the ministry, he performed in many of the nation’s major concert halls, including the Kennedy Center, Boston’s Jordan Hall, and New York City’s Merkin Hall. His international touring as a chamber musician included Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Portugal, Russia, Spain, and Venezuela. The Washington Post described his playing as “sparkling,” “breathtaking,” and “demonstrating an exquisite sense of vocal phrasing.” The Post review of his recital at the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. mentioned his “deft musicianship and enormous technical prowess… resulted in a cheering standing ovation.” He was a competitor in the 1985 Van Cliburn Competition.

In the past few years, he began exploring the world of amateur piano competitions and was a finalist in the WIPAC in 2023 and 2024, and a semifinalist in Boston in 2024. He has performed several concertos with the Naptown Philharmonic. He plays tennis several times a week and coaches varsity tennis at Annapolis Area Christian High School. He has been married to his wife Mary Ann for 42 years and has one adult daughter and two very spoiled cats.

Illya Bunyakin first started playing the piano at age eight in Donetsk, Ukraine. After his family immigrated to the United States, he kept up his classical training, always finding his way back to the keyboard even while getting his computer science degree and starting his career. Now based in Rockville, Maryland, Illya has performed in recitals and amateur competitions both across the US and abroad.

“For me, events like this are simply about the chance to share the music I love and hope you all will love.”

David started clarinet at age 7 but changed to piano 10 years later. At George Mason University he performed two solo recitals in the Bachelor of Music program, as well as receiving a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. From 1982 to 1992 he studied with GMU Professor Elvin Schmitt, and three of his earlier students, Christine Hagan, Lynn Cruz, and Lee Sumner, and more recently with Natasha Paremski and Eric Himy. He played 12 solo recitals in Fairfax, New York, St. Petersburg and Moscow, Russia. He participated in many amateur piano competitions since 1996 and was semifinalist in the WIPAC competition in 2017, finalist in the 2014 Piano Bridges Amateur Piano Competition in St. Petersburg, Russia, and won the Grand Prize in the 2018 Chestnut International Amateur Piano Competition in Kyiv, Ukraine. He also performed in ten New York Piano Society concerts at Merkin Hall, 92Y, and Carnegie Hall. His professional work includes 12 years as electronic designer and 23 years as software engineer on communications applications for the US Armed Forces. He has travelled to Russia, Ukraine, and Crimea many times and is writing a book on the history of Crimea in 1944–54. David has also composed works for solo piano and orchestra.

“When I was performing Chopin’s second scherzo in the Kiev competition, I felt myself becoming distracted. At that point, I remembered some advice that the famous pianist Martha Argerich attributed to her teacher, Friedrich Gulda. He said, ‘Concentrate, or die!’ So I tried to concentrate harder on my performances, and those inspirational words helped me to win the Grand Prize.”

Jim Chou is a physician from the United States who began piano studies at the age of five and studies with Jerzy Stryjniak, David Shimoni and Sergey Schepkin. Jim has performed in studio and community settings and continues to pursue piano as a creative balance to his medical career. Outside of music, he enjoys running.

Judy wanted to become a veterinarian, but women were discouraged in days of yore! Presently, much of her life revolves around caring for animals. She has shown in the Hunter Division over fences for years, but now just keeps a very spoiled pet horse. She has been participating in amateur (non-professional) piano competitions since moving to Bend, Oregon from the Seattle area. She considers the competitions she has attended invaluable. She has met so many wonderful people, grown musically as well, and hopes to continue as long as she is able.

“Life goes on and on!”

Paul has been an active participant in amateur piano competitions for many years, including the Cliburn in Ft. Worth, Texas, Paris, Boston, and Chicago, appearing as a finalist in all of them. Paul received a bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from DePaul University in Chicago, studying with Mary Sauer. While a decision to enter the family manufacturing business changed the direction of his career away from music, Paul has continued to keep his piano skills sharp and credits participating in amateur piano competitions as a great motivator. He also appreciates the love and support from family and friends. When not practicing, you will probably find Paul having fun on the pickleball court.

“Look mom, I’m still practicing!”

Catherine Doss began studying piano at age six. A graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, she earned a bachelor’s degree cum laude and a master’s degree in piano performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, studying with Richard Fields and Frank Weinstock. Her festival experience includes the Australian Chamber Music Festival, the Opera Theatre and Music Festival of Lucca, Italy, and Brevard Music Center, where she studied with Douglas Weeks. She later served as Music Director of the Pensacola Opera’s Artists in Residence program.

In 2009, Ms. Doss shifted her focus toward raising her family while continuing to perform, collaborate, and teach. After multiple military moves with the same piano, she also became acquainted with an impressive number of piano technicians across the country. Following her family’s final military move in 2021, she returned to more focused study in preparation for the 2022 Cliburn Amateur Festival. Ms. Doss participated in the 2024 PianoTexas International Festival & Academy and was a finalist in the 2024 Washington International Piano Artists Competition, where FestivalDC praised her “great emotional fervor and dynamism.” She enjoys sharing contemporary music and guiding other adults back to the piano. She currently lives in Manassas, Virginia, with her wonderful children and greatest supporters: Paul, Lucy, and Margot.

“One of my favorite memories is from a masterclass Yo-Yo Ma gave at Brevard Music Center, where he advised a cellist working on a Haydn concerto to play a passage ‘like a butterfly trying to land — with really sore feet.’ My favorite aspect of my musical journey is the people I’ve met along the way, and I’m looking forward to reconnecting with old friends, making new ones, and hearing everyone perform.”

Simon Finlow started learning piano at age 4. After studying with Imogen Cooper from 1972 to 1973, he attended Oxford University as an undergraduate and subsequently earned a PhD in music from King’s College, Cambridge. In 1985, Simon immigrated to the US, where he obtained a Master’s degree in computer science and worked as an IT professional for the next 25 years. In 2014, he began to practice piano seriously again after a 30-year hiatus, while studying with his teacher, Michael Adcock, at the Washington Conservatory of Music. Since then, he has performed in solo and chamber recitals throughout the Washington area and competed successfully in several competitions, including the 7th and 8th Cliburn International Amateur Piano Competitions (2016 and 2022). He has also performed in masterclasses with distinguished artists including the late Ann Schein, Santiago Rodriguez, and Olga Kern. In 2024, Simon chaired the FMMC Foundation’s prestigious Washington International Competition for Piano (WIC, not to be confused with the equally prestigious WIPAC!).

“Music is the only thing in our lives that always speaks absolute truth to us. As Jimi Hendrix once said, ‘Music does not lie.’”

In his twenties, Philip Hosford won first or second prize in fifteen national and international piano competitions. He performed at such venues as the Kennedy Center Concert Hall and Terrace Theater, Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City, Wigmore Hall and the Purcell Room in London, and has appeared on the BBC, as well as at venues throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America.

Philip also enjoyed a successful acting career and was a finalist for Best Lead Actor in a Play at the 2016 Helen Hayes Awards in Washington, DC.

A dedicated educator, he and his wife, pianist Hayuru Taima, founded the Academy of Fine Arts in Gaithersburg, Maryland, in 1995.

"Beyond music and theater, I enjoy writing poetry and playing chess and basketball with friends of a similar vintage."

Yuki Kitayama is a data scientist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Balancing a demanding career in the technology sector with a lifelong devotion to classical music, Yuki holds academic degrees from Waseda University and Columbia University. As an active performer and competitor within local community music circles, including the Bay Area Music Circle, Yuki frequently shares a diverse piano repertoire that spans the Classical, Romantic, and Impressionist eras. Driven by a deep passion for exploring the profound emotional nuances of the instrument, Yuki’s current program focuses on the lyrical and expressive works of Beethoven, Chopin, and Debussy, continuously dedicated to bridging the worlds of technical discipline and artistic storytelling on stage.

Reiko Osawa received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Composition from the Osaka College of Music in Osaka, Japan. She has been composing contemporary music of various instrumental and vocal combinations since graduate school. While living in San Jose, California from 2001 to 2009, she took a piano performance class at De Anza College, and she played in masterclasses at the PianoTexas International Academy and Festival on several occasions. She has participated in various amateur piano competitions in Texas, Colorado, Boston, Washington and Japan. Now Reiko lives in Hyogo, Japan, where she plays piano duets with friends and enjoys swimming and sewing every day.

“Turning stay-at-home hours into this stage dress. My craft, my music.”

I began my musical odyssey as a young child watching the movie Toby Tyler. When the band started playing, I jumped up and started conducting the orchestra. I was hooked from then on. I graduated from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati before I decided to pursue medicine. I attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Medical School and then completed a residency at Duke University Medical Center in anesthesia. I then moved to Dayton, Ohio and practiced for 25 years. After retiring I moved to Charlotte, North Carolina.

“I enjoy cooking, gardening, traveling and, of course, playing the piano.”

Jonathan Shih began his piano studies with various Chicago-area teachers (most notably Emilio del Rosario) and continued briefly at Northwestern University under James Giles (including a live performance on 98.7 WFMT) before a minor hand injury and recession-induced career introspection led him to forgo piano for an engineering degree. After a decade-long hiatus due to work travel, he resumed playing and now studies with Peter Mack. Jonathan won first prize in the 2025 Oberlin International Adult Amateur Piano Competition and placed third in the 2026 Boston International Piano Competition. He was also a finalist in the 2024 WIPAC competition, where he received special awards for “Best Classical Performance” and “Most Imaginative Programming”. When not at the piano, Jonathan works as a product designer at a small startup and enjoys cooking, traveling, and collecting other hobbies.

“A teacher once told me ‘You’re a smart kid. But your playing is terribly dull.’ I hope that you will find my music anything but.”

Una Stroda, a citizen of both Latvia and the USA, studied piano at Latvia Academy of Music, earning BA degree in Piano Performance but then proceeded to earn another BA degree in the field of theology and religious studies from University of Latvia. This passion led her to pursue further degrees first in Geneva, Switzerland, then in Chicago, USA where Una graduated with MA from Catholic Theological Union and PhD from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Her area of study centers around the fascinating and somewhat unconventional subject of the complex and intricate connection between laughter and spirituality, with an emphasis on the role of laughter in both the historical and contemporary context of the Christian church. As recent rapid advances in artificial intelligence have transformed the cultural landscape, there have also emerged new avenues of theological inquiry and new opportunities to revisit theological questions about laughter, creativity, spirituality and personhood. Una has published several articles and presented at numerous theological conferences around the world. While doing theological research, Una continues her musical pursuits, actively participating in various amateur piano competitions, such as Boston, Chicago, Washington D.C. and Seattle, as well as recitals and performances.

“Fun fact: Pope Leo and I both attended the same school, Catholic Theological Union — just not at the same time.”

Max Sung is a physician who had, prior to his medical career, studied piano on a one-year fellowship at the University of the Arts in Berlin with Helmut Roloff. He continued his musical education with courses in chamber music performance with Leon Kirchner, Earl Kim and Patricia Zander at Harvard University. His interest in the piano was rekindled after studying with Pedro Carbone in New York.

“Let the music speak.”

I’m an R&D researcher in the polymer chemistry laboratory of DIC Corporation. I began piano studies at age 5, but lessons were interrupted at age 8 and I restarted at age 15 with a new teacher. I got married to Kotomi in 2003, and then we participated in amateur piano competitions in Paris, Vienna, Chicago, Hawaii, Colorado Springs and Boston. This is my third visit to Washington and WIPAC. My younger sister, Yoko, and her family live in Los Alamos, NM.

I’m a housewife now. I got married to Hideya; he is also a competitor. We participated in amateur piano competitions in Japan for about 20 years, and we participated in amateur piano competitions in Paris, Vienna, Chicago, Hawaii, Colorado Springs and Boston. This is our third visit to Washington and WIPAC. We have a daughter, Honoka, who is 12 years old.

Yoko is a kindergarten teacher in Japan. She started playing piano at age four and stopped in high school. After taking an MS at Indiana University, she has worked in the social science fields. From 2005 she took a piano amateur summer program at the École Normale de Musique de Paris and at Mannes College in New York City. From 2009 she participated in various international amateur piano competitions: Paris, Boston, Berlin, Texas, and Warsaw. In 2017 she performed the Schumann Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54, in Bulgaria. In 2024 she performed the Mozart Concerto No. 23 in Vienna.

“I always enjoy playing the piano.”

Ivan began learning the piano at the age of 3. Though he did not follow a formal conservatory path, he is deeply grateful to all his teachers for cultivating his musicianship. For him, music has always been a lifelong companion and a sanctuary for reflection. He continues to share his journey as a dedicated amateur performer alongside his professional career in financial technology. He is currently based in Vancouver, Canada.

“With music, just when I feel I understand, the journey begins anew.”

Yuchao Zhou is a software engineer in the San Francisco Bay Area. A native of China, Zhou pursued his master’s degree in computer science in the US. Beyond his technical career, Zhou has a profound passion for piano and classical music, a pursuit he began at age 5 and has continued for over two decades without formal music education. Music serves as a vital channel for self-expression and identity for him. Recently, he was a finalist in the 2025 Oberlin International Adult Amateur Piano Competition. He also showcased his talent at the 2024 California Concerto Festival for Amateur Pianists, performing the 2nd movement of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 with the Mission College Symphony. He was also a performer of the PianoTexas Amateur program in 2024. His musical journey has been enriched through studies with esteemed pianists worldwide, including pianists from China, Ukraine, Austria, Venezuela, Israel, Australia and Germany.

“As a pianist with a full-time career outside music, I am especially drawn to works that require long-term commitment. My WIPAC program grew out of a broader season-long project centered on Rachmaninoff, Liszt, and Chopin’s Sonata No. 2, which has become the structural center of this work. Its combination of sonata form, scherzo, funeral march, and brief, unsettling finale makes it both technically demanding and dramatically unusual. Preparing it alongside Rachmaninoff’s preludes and Liszt’s Transcendental Étude No. 10 has pushed me to think more deeply about sound, pacing, and large-scale musical architecture as a serious amateur pianist.”