Born on May 23, 2014, in Fremont, nestled in the Bay Area of Northern California, Gina Le is a second-generation Vietnamese American whose story is as heartwarming as it is inspiring. Her family immigrated from Vietnam in 2009, and today, she lives with them in the city of Roseville. Among her large extended family, Gina holds a unique place—she is the only one who plays the piano.
Gina’s journey with music began at the age of eight, when she first heard her neighbor playing piano through the wall. Captivated by the beautiful sound, she begged her mother for lessons. A piano teacher was soon invited to their home, and from the very first session, it was clear Gina had a gift. She could hear a short passage of music and instantly play it back, note for note—entirely by ear.
Although she spent two years with her first teacher, Gina continued to rely on her ear rather than learning to read music or develop proper technique. Her passion was undeniable, but her progress lacked direction. Recognizing Gina’s need for more structured training, her mother searched for a teacher who could nurture both her talent and potential. That’s when she met Regina Lott—a dedicated and inspiring piano instructor who would change Gina’s musical path forever.
Under Mrs. Lott’s expert guidance, Gina began to flourish. She was introduced to diverse music styles repertoire and fell in love with the expressive works of Romantic and twenty century composers like Chopin, Carolyn Miller and Melody Bober. With newfound discipline and artistry, Gina not only mastered technique and musical interpretation but also discovered a deeper purpose in performing. She began playing regularly at local nursing homes, where she found joy in using music to uplift and connect with others.
In May 2025, Gina’s hard work and dedication paid off when she won First Place at the Northern California Young Talents Competition. Just weeks later, she earned the California State Honor Award at the Level 3 State Music Test and was invited to perform at the Music Teachers’ Association of California (MTAC) Convention in July 2025.
But the highlight of her young career came in August 2025. After winning First Prize at the Tokyo Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition, Gina traveled to Japan to perform at the prestigious Tokyo Opera City Hall—a dream come true, inspired by her teacher’s visualization exercises and her own boundless imagination.
Now 11 years old, Gina is preparing for her very first solo recital, which will take place on October 4, 2025, at the Light of the Gospel Missionary Church. With the unwavering support of Mrs. Lott, Gina is curating a heartfelt program featuring her favorite composers: Carolyn Miller, Melody Bober, and Frederic Chopin.
Looking ahead, Gina is excited to continue growing as a performer and artist. She hopes to compete in the Elite International Competition with the ultimate goal of performing at the world-renowned Carnegie Hall. She is also entering to compete at Charleston International Competition with a hopes to win a top prize. More than anything, she wishes to share her love of piano with her classmates, teachers, and community—and to inspire others the way music first inspired her.
Watch Gina Le perform Rhapsody Mystique and Moonlight Fantasy by Carolyn Miller And Melody Bober on the piano for the 2025 Autumn Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.