My name is Alexander Ma. As a16 years old, I have spent the majority of my life infatuated with music. At age 5 my hands first began to explore the keys on our family piano. My mother took notice of my excitement from the sounds this wonderful instrument produced, and by the age of 5 she had already enrolled me in the local piano academy for instruction. As time passed, my interest in piano grew. When I turned 11 my mother made a decision that would have a major impact on my life ever since—she arranged for me to be a student of Ms. Sandra Wright Shen, a performer and teacher of significant renown in her own right. Just as the piano has shaped the life journey of my teacher, so too did her love for her craft infect me with an enthusiasm for music that has set the direction of my life so far. Over the next 5 years Ms. Shen would guide me towards my musical potential through a combination of daily practice, weekly instruction, preparation for piano recitals, and exposure to formal piano competition. At the US Open Music Competition in 2019 I won my first piano competition accolades—First Place Prize for Duet, and Second Place Prize for Showcase. Several other competitions and awards followed, most notably First Place at the Quebec Music Competition, 2nd Place at the Arizona International Music Competition, and Gold at the Trinity International Music Competition. In addition to competition, I had the opportunity to attend music camps like Masterworks Festival, and in so doing, receive instruction from a variety of wonderful and distinguished teachers and performers. Aside from competition, piano also shapes how I interact with the world around me, and how I try to make a difference in my community. My younger brother and I—and with the help of our parents—started a Charity comprised of, and run by, musically oriented teenagers. Together we perform at hospitals, nursing homes, and other venues on a regular basis, with the goal of lifting spirits and entertainment for those who are down on luck or in need. We have also put on larger formal programs in order to raise money for other charities—like veterans, food drives, and even the environment. Our own charity, “Kids For Kindness”, continues to strive to afford kids like us a means for having a social impact. In summary, piano in my life is a living, breathing and growing thing—a reflection of what I love, what I am, and who I aspire to be. As a 16 year old, it would be presumptuous for me to claim to know exactly how music will factor into my future life, but I am also mature enough to know that it will always be a part of me.
Watch Alexander Ma performs Miroirs III. Une barque sur l’océan by Maurice Ravel for the 2025 International Piano Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.