Alums George Li and Conrad Tao Receive 2012 Gilmore Young Artist Award

Big news – From the Top alums George Li (Show 144) and Conrad Tao (Show 107 and Show 232) have just been named recipients of the 2012 Gilmore Young Artist Award! As Gilmore Young Artists, both George and Conrad will each receive $15,000 to further their musical career and education, as well as a $10,000 commission for a new piano work to be composed for them.

The announcement was made Wednesday, June 22 by Daniel R. Gustin, director of the Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival. George, age 15,  and Conrad, age 17, received the award based on their musical talent and potential to become career concert pianists. They are among the youngest recipients.

The Gilmore Young Artist Awards are presented every two years and candidates aren’t told that they are under consideration. Musicians are evaluated over a period of time by an anonymous judging panel with the main goal of singling out the most promising young pianists under the age of 22.

The Award also includes a few appearances at the 2012 Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival in Kalamazoo. George and Conrad will make their debut performances at the festival April 26 through May 12, 2012.

One of the 2010 Gilmore Young Artists was another From the Top alum, Charlie Albright, who appeared years ago on Show 066.