Gao Yi Cheng, age 20, is the First Prize Winner of $5,000 in the recent Anthony Galla-Rini International Competition for Classical Accordion sponsored by the Accordionists and Teachers Guild, Int’l. during its Festival held in Santa Clara, CA July 21 – 25.

Gao Yi Cheng began to learn the piano accordion with the accordion professor at Mianyang University, China, when he was 4 years old. In 2007, he began studying the button accordion with Professor Chen Jun, Vice-chairman of the Chinese Accordion Association, at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music in Chengdu.In 2008, Gao entered the Sichuan Conservatory of Music in Chengdu as a student.

Gao has earned the following awards:
October 2008: 3rd Prize in group for Soloists up to the age of 18 in Castelfidardo, Italy International Competitions
October 2008: 4th Place in the Junior Coupe Mondiale
May 2009: 2nd Prize in “The Spring of Shanghai” Accordion Competitions
July 2009: 1st Prize in the Kun Ming “Spring City” Accordion Competitions
August 2009: 2nd Prize in the Coupe Mondiale

He will compete in the October 2010 Castelfidardo, Italy International Competition and in the Coupe Mondiale being held in Verazdin, Croatia. And in 2011, he will compete in the Coupe Mondiale to be held in Shanghai, China.

Gao Yi Cheng is an outstanding young representative for the accordion, both in his own country and throughout the world. His repertoire is varied and difficult, yet exceedingly interesting to everyone in his audiences. He makes a very professional appearance and will undoubtedly be heard from for many years to come.

This is the fourth time the ATG has sponsored The Anthony Galla-Rini International Competition for Classical Accordion and is proud of the several entrants who performed with great musicianship and technical proficiency during the demanding three rounds of the event. All the soloists were well prepared and could easily present a full solo concert of serious accordion repertoire which included some of the foremost original compositions for the instrument as well as outstanding arrangements prepared from other sources.

The competition was of such a high standard that the judges and ATG unanimously decided to award a previously unannounced 4th prize, with results as follows:
•1st: Gao Yi Cheng – China ($5,000)
•2nd: Martynas Livickis – Lithuania ($3,000)
•3rd: Jelena Milojevic – Serbia/Canada ($1500)
•4th: Michael Bridge – Canada ($500)

ATG President Dee Langley announced that plans are already well underway for the 71st ATG Competition and Festival to be held in Orlando, Florida from July 19-23, 2011. Details will be available soon on the ATG Website at www.accordions.com/atg

For further information: squeezermn@yahoo.com