PRIMA MUSIC FOUNDATION
INTERNATIONAL CONCERTO COMPETITION
FINALISTS
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FIVE FINALISTS of the Prima Music Foundation 2026 International Concerto Competition! Stephen S. Chen, Faith Eugenia Villar-Córdova Scott, Karen Matsui, Benjamin LeSuer, and Aaron Wang. Support these talented young musicians in the Final Round on June 29, 2026, at 2:00 PM, followed by the Awards Ceremony at 5:00 PM at Taft Hall at Berkshire Music Hall in Pittsfield, MA.
Aaron Wang is a 17-year-old pianist recognized for his technical refinement, mature artistry, and expressive depth. A junior at Scarsdale High School and a piano major in the Pre-College Division at The Juilliard School, he studies with distinguished pianist Hung-Kuan Chen. Aaron has performed at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center and appeared as a soloist with the Manhattan School of Music Symphony Orchestra in 2022. His honors include first prizes at the 5th Fou Ts’ong International Concerto Competition (2025), Chicago International Music Competition (2023), Manhattan School of Music Concerto Competition (2022), and multiple Steinway & Sons competitions. He regularly shares his music through community performances.
Program: Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 73
Faith Eugenia Villar-Córdova Scott began studying music at age four and won her first international piano competition at age five. Since then, she has earned top prizes in numerous national and international competitions, including the Memphis International Piano Competition, Colors of Chopin International Piano Competition, Florida Young Artists International Piano Competition, and Carmel Klavier International Piano Competition.
She made her orchestral debut at age seven, performing a complete Haydn concerto under the direction of Maestro Alberto Bade, and later appeared at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. Recent honors include winning the Central Iowa Symphony Concerto Competition (2025), the Orchestra Omaha Young Artists Concerto Competition (2026), and national recognition in the MTNA Composition Competition.
Faith studies piano with Dr. Marion and Rosa Scott and Portuguese pianist Vasco Dantas.
Program: Mozart Piano Concerto in C Major, K. 246
Hailing from the Richmond, Virginia area, pianist Stephen S. Chen is a young artist studying with Dr. Yinfei Wang. His achievements include the Grand Prix at the XVI Chopin International Piano Competition in Hartford and the Music Matters International Music Competition, as well as top prizes at the WPTA Singapore and Spain International Piano Competitions, the International Chopin Competition in Vienna, the Savshinsky International Music Competition, the American Protégé International Competition, and several other international events.
Stephen made his debuts at Carnegie Hall and Vienna’s Ehrbar Saal and has since performed at Harvard University, the National Institutes of Health, and Van Cliburn Hall. He appeared at the Washington International Piano Festival and was selected as a junior performer at PianoTexas International Festival & Academy. Most recently, he was accepted to the Cleveland International Piano Institute for Young Artists and the MostArts Festival.
Program: Mozart Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K. 488
Karen Matsui is a sophomore at Valley Christian High School and an Honor Fellow in Piano Performance at the Conservatory Program. She has earned top prizes in numerous competitions, including the Marian Filice Piano Competition, Pittsburgh International Performance Competition, United States Open Music Competition, New Star International Competition, and Harmony for Peace Music Competition. In 2025, she attended the Tanglewood Institute Young Pianists Program.
An active chamber musician, Karen has earned top prizes in national chamber music competitions and has been invited to perform at prestigious chamber music festivals.
As a composer and improviser, she has received awards from the Bay Area Creative Youth Awards, the Pacific Musical Society Composition Competition, and the Golden Key Piano Composition Competition. Her composition Awakening earned second prize and led to an invitation to perform at the World Composers Recital in Vienna. She has also appeared at the MTAC Annual Convention Improvisation Honors Recital.
Program: Mozart Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467
At just 13 years old, Benjamin LeSuer has emerged as a remarkable young talent in classical music. Benjamin began his musical journey at the age of 4 in McKinney, Texas, showing an early aptitude for piano. Since then, his musical abilities have grown to include violin, which he has played for 5 years, and drums for the past 2 years. Benjamin currently resides in Syosset, New York, where he attends the Juilliard Pre-College program.
In addition to piano, Benjamin enjoys music composition and is actively involved in sports such as basketball and swimming. Looking to the future, Benjamin aspires to continue his studies and pursue a professional career in music.
Program: Bach Keyboard Concerto in D Minor, BWV 1052