The mission of The Gilmore is to promote and develop world-class keyboard musical experiences that inspire present and future artists and audiences. The Gilmore Young Artist Award is presented every two years to single out the most promising of the new generation of U.S.-based pianists, age 22 and younger. The Gilmore Young Artist who will be performing at The Franke this season is Kasey Shao.
Ms. Shao first started playing piano at age six, and made her concerto debut at age twelve with the Philadelphia Orchestra under Yannick Nézét Séguin as the first place winner of the 2015 Albert M. Greenfield Concerto Competition.
A Steinway Young Artist and 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholar, Ms. Shao studies with Dr. Ran Dank and Magaret Kampmeier at Princeton University (class of 2025) concentrating in music with a focus on composition on the pre-medical track. She is the founder and president of the Princeton University chapter of Doctors Without Borders, an Academic Learning Consultant, and the Music Director of the Princeton Pianists Ensemble. She hopes to become a hand surgeon, helping other musicians continue to do what they love.
Ms. Shao’s numerous competition accomplishments include the Gold Medal in the Classical Music Division of the 2020 National YoungArts Week, and first place finishes at the 2020 Overture Awards, 2020 Dubois International Piano Competition, 2019 Louisville Orchestra Young Artists Competition, 2019 Jack and Lucile Wonnell Young Arts Concerto Competition, and the 2018 Steinway and Sons Piano Competition. She was a finalist at the 2022 New York International Piano Competition, 2021 Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, 2020 Hilton Head International Piano Competition, and 2020 Young Concert Artists International Auditions. Ms. Shao has performed with the Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony Orchestra and Louisville Orchestra, and has been featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Cincinnati Business Inquirer, Oberlin Tribune, and Cleveland Classical.
Pre-Show
Battle Creek Master Singers
The Battle Creek Master Singers (BCMS), celebrate its 24th year, and 2023/2024 season with Dr. Clayton Parr as their new Artistic Director. The chamber ensemble began in 1999, and was originally called Ars Voce. In 2016, the decision was made to rename the ensemble the Battle Creek Master Singers (BSMS).
