Raymond began learning piano at age 5 and received Distinction (144/150) in ABRSM Performance Grade 8 when he was 8 years old. He was admitted as a pre-college student in San Francisco Conservatory of Music since Fall of 2022 and was elected as elementary student representative this year. He has been under the tutelage of “Director Emeritus” of the Conservatory, Mr. John McCarthy. Raymond has also been a student of Mrs. Huajun Zhang since age 6.
Raymond has been awarded a significant number of top prizes since his first competition when he was 6 years old.
Most recently in 2023, he received 1st prize in both J.S. Bach Award and Chinese Music Award categories in United States International Music Competition. He also won 2nd place in Complete Concerto in U.S. Open Music Competition in the same year.
In 2022, Raymond won 1st prize and Exceptional Young Talent Special Prize in Golden Classical Music Awards where he got to perform in Carnegie Hall in New York. Next, he was awarded 1st Place in King’s Peak International Music Competition and 2nd Prize in International New Star Piano Competition. He also achieved the 1st prize and 2nd prizes in three categories in U.S. Open Music Competition with scholarship.
In 2021, Raymond was awarded Gold Medal in WPTA China-North America International Piano Competition with scholarship. He was the recipient of 2nd Place in 14th Luigi Cerritelli International Music Competition in Italy as well as the Gold Prize winner for both Global Genius Music Competition and World Classical Music Awards in England.
Raymond has performed in benefit concerts and other charitable events in the Bay Area. He is a member of the Guitar Group at his school – The Harker School.
You can find Raymond’s 2024 Classical Music Competition piano performance here.