Rui Shi Joins Yamaha Classical Pianist Roster
NEW YORK CITY Rising young American pianist Rui (Rae) Shi joins Yamaha's ever-expanding roster of classical piano artists, which includes such greats as Abbey Simon, Frederic Chiu, Oxana Yablonskaya, Olga Kern and Maria João Pires.
"I've played Yamaha pianos my entire life," notes the Chinese-born 26-year-old, "and I've never played a single Yamaha I wasn't really fond of. With Yamaha, it was love at first sight, or I should say at first touch. You know the instrument will always do what you want it to do."
"Rui Shi is such a fine and imaginative musician," says James Steeber, director of Yamaha Artist Services Inc. in New York City. "She captivates audiences and knows how to bring them into her world."
Shi, who holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees from The Juilliard School, expressed interest in joining Yamaha's artist roster after competing in the 2006 Minnesota International Piano-e-Competition. "It's such an honor to be a Yamaha artist," says Shi. "James Steeber and his team have been so kind to me. I am truly excited and look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship."
"I can always count on Yamaha pianos; they're always very even. I know it will always be a beautiful tone; as an artist it lets you breathe a sigh of relief," adds Shi.
Shi has performed extensively at major venues across America and Asia since her first recital at the age of four. In 2006, Shi made her critically-acclaimed professional New York City debut at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, performing Brahms' Second Piano Concerto with the Juilliard Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Otto-Werner Mueller. Shi's worldwide performances have included numerous concert tours in China and at prestigious landmarks, such as the National Performing Arts Center, the People's Government Hall, National Symphony Hall of Beijing and New Music Auditorium in Shanghai.
In the United States she has had many concerto, recital, and chamber music appearances at Avery Fisher Hall, Alice Tully Hall and The Juilliard Theater at Lincoln Center, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, and at the Japanese, Polish, and Austrian consulates in New York City. Shi has additionally performed at Washington's Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Bass Hall in Fort Worth, Texas, as well as appearances in seven other U.S. states. She has appeared with The Juilliard Orchestra, Reading Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, Lehigh Symphony, Temple Orchestra, Georgetown Symphony, and Ridgefield Symphony Orchestras.
During her studies at The Juilliard School, she was chosen as a soloist for two major events, including the memorial service for Christopher Reeve, held before an audience including such prestigious guests as Senator Hilary Rodham Clinton, actresses Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, actor Robin Williams and Robert Kennedy Jr, among others.
Shi has also been featured frequently on the popular classical music station WQXR, as well as two BBC television documentaries.
Since winning her first competition at the age of five, Shi has been the first prize winner of eight consecutive editions of the China National Piano Competition. Upon arriving in America at age 11, she became a top prize winner at the Stravinsky International Competition in Illinois. At age 15, Shi subsequently became the youngest-ever full scholarship student in the Pre-College Division of The Juilliard School, where she became the winner of both the concerto and solo competitions offered at the division.
In July of 2008, Shi's star continued to rise when the pianist was awarded the Silver Medal at the prestigious World Piano Competition. Shi most recently was a prize winner Iowa International Piano Competition. She also recently won 1st Prize at the Mieczyslaw Munz Competition, held in honor of Frederic Chopin, and 1st Prize at the Juilliard College Division Brahms Second Piano Concerto Competition, as well as the California International Piano Competition. Shi is also excited to compete once more in the Minnesota International Piano-e-Competition in Summer 2009.
To learn more, visit www.yamaha.com/yasi.
 Yamaha Artist Rui Shi |
"Rui Shi is such a fine and imaginative musician," says James Steeber, director of Yamaha Artist Services Inc. in New York City. "She captivates audiences and knows how to bring them into her world."
Shi, who holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees from The Juilliard School, expressed interest in joining Yamaha's artist roster after competing in the 2006 Minnesota International Piano-e-Competition. "It's such an honor to be a Yamaha artist," says Shi. "James Steeber and his team have been so kind to me. I am truly excited and look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship."
"I can always count on Yamaha pianos; they're always very even. I know it will always be a beautiful tone; as an artist it lets you breathe a sigh of relief," adds Shi.
Shi has performed extensively at major venues across America and Asia since her first recital at the age of four. In 2006, Shi made her critically-acclaimed professional New York City debut at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, performing Brahms' Second Piano Concerto with the Juilliard Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Otto-Werner Mueller. Shi's worldwide performances have included numerous concert tours in China and at prestigious landmarks, such as the National Performing Arts Center, the People's Government Hall, National Symphony Hall of Beijing and New Music Auditorium in Shanghai.
In the United States she has had many concerto, recital, and chamber music appearances at Avery Fisher Hall, Alice Tully Hall and The Juilliard Theater at Lincoln Center, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, and at the Japanese, Polish, and Austrian consulates in New York City. Shi has additionally performed at Washington's Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Bass Hall in Fort Worth, Texas, as well as appearances in seven other U.S. states. She has appeared with The Juilliard Orchestra, Reading Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, Lehigh Symphony, Temple Orchestra, Georgetown Symphony, and Ridgefield Symphony Orchestras.
During her studies at The Juilliard School, she was chosen as a soloist for two major events, including the memorial service for Christopher Reeve, held before an audience including such prestigious guests as Senator Hilary Rodham Clinton, actresses Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, actor Robin Williams and Robert Kennedy Jr, among others.
Shi has also been featured frequently on the popular classical music station WQXR, as well as two BBC television documentaries.
Since winning her first competition at the age of five, Shi has been the first prize winner of eight consecutive editions of the China National Piano Competition. Upon arriving in America at age 11, she became a top prize winner at the Stravinsky International Competition in Illinois. At age 15, Shi subsequently became the youngest-ever full scholarship student in the Pre-College Division of The Juilliard School, where she became the winner of both the concerto and solo competitions offered at the division.
In July of 2008, Shi's star continued to rise when the pianist was awarded the Silver Medal at the prestigious World Piano Competition. Shi most recently was a prize winner Iowa International Piano Competition. She also recently won 1st Prize at the Mieczyslaw Munz Competition, held in honor of Frederic Chopin, and 1st Prize at the Juilliard College Division Brahms Second Piano Concerto Competition, as well as the California International Piano Competition. Shi is also excited to compete once more in the Minnesota International Piano-e-Competition in Summer 2009.
To learn more, visit www.yamaha.com/yasi.