Hi, Caroline Li here, a rising 6 grader. I began studying piano with Mrs. San-Qing Lu Bennaman in 2020. My teacher is the former piano soloist with Shanghai Symphony Orchestra.
I remember my first piano lesson, when Mrs. Lu put my hands on the piano and she told me that my hands should stand on the keyboard as if I was holding an egg in each of my hands. Mrs. Lu is very strict with developing my fundamental skills. I learnt from her that all these skills help me “talk” to this instrument thoroughly and freely. When I know how to speak to piano, the melody starts flowing from inside.
Since then, I found my passion in piano. I can’t imagine myself without playing music with my favorite instrument every day. The songs I learned are always beautiful and graceful. I am fascinated by the dynamics when my fingers hitting the keyboard. It could be loud and quiet, bright and dark, clear and rich, laughing and crying… I could hear deep cello, vibrant violin, gentle flute, powerful base, or whispers of windchime out of my piano…From time to time, I see the magic and power of piano, and whenever I play piano, I always hear the music in my heart.
I am very proud to show you some of my awards:
• 1st Place at Maryland State Music Teachers Association (2021)
• 1st Place at Metropolitan Classical Music Festival (2021)
• 1st Place at Maryland State Music Teachers Association (2022)
• 2nd Prize at Piano Star International Competition (2022)
• 3rd Place at Metropolitan Classical Music Festival (2023)
• 1st Prize at YMIC Classical Musical Festival Piano Competition (2023)
• 2nd Place at Maryland State Music Teachers Association (2023)
• 2nd Prize at Miriam S. Gottlieb Memorial Piano Competition (2023)
• 1st Prize at Charleston World Music Competition (2023)
• 1st Prize at Global Great Composer Mozart Competition (2024)
• 2nd Place at Maryland State Music Teachers Association (2024)
• 1st Prize at Miriam S. Gottlieb Memorial Piano Competition (2024)
• 1st Prize at 39th International Young Artist Piano Competition (2024)
You can find Caroline’s 2023 World Music Competition piano performance here.
Watch Caroline Li perform Sonata in E flat major, Hob XVI: 52 by Franz J. Haydn on the piano for the 2025 Classical Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.