Skip to content

13-year-old tops field in National Chamber Ensemble competition

William Hsieh will perform with performing-arts group during holiday concert
william-hsieh-national-chamber-ensemble
William Hsieh

Thirteen-year-old William Hsieh has been selected as winner of the National Chamber Ensemble’s Young Artist Competition, and will perform at the troupe’s holiday concert, to be held on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington.

The annual competition is a performing-arts outlet for student-pianists ages 12 to 18 across the region. After a preliminary round held through online submissions, the finals were conducted on Dec. 2.

“We were so impressed with this year’s outstanding talent,” said Leo Sushansky, artistic director of the National Chamber Ensemble. “The winner, William Hsieh, really stood out with such dynamic playing that exhibited lots of personality and refinement. He will bring added excitement to the evening which I am sure will be one of the highlights of the concert.”

Hsieh is in eighth grade at Westland Middle School in Bethesda. He started playing piano at age five and is currently a student of Dr. Ivo Kaltchev.

In addition to playing piano, William plays violin. Outside of music, he has a profound love for aviation and aerospace.

Second and third prizes went to Yuhan Li, age 16, from the District of Columbia, and Davanee Li, age 15, from Vienna.

For information on the upcoming concert, see the Website at www.nationalchamberensemble.org.