Report – Esther Zhu
SRMTA Competitor at 2025 National Piano Competition (CFMTA/FCAPM)
Masterclass with Dr. Janet Lopinski.
Competition judges, organizers, and competitors.
I’d first like to sincerely thank the SRMTA and CFMTA for this incredible opportunity and for supporting me every step of the way. Experiences like this not only help me grow musically, but are also deeply encouraging.
The competition was very well organized. Each participant was given a private practice room, as well as a one-hour slot to rehearse in the hall on the competition piano. I had a wonderful piano in my practice room, and the room itself was both spacious and aesthetically pleasing –this made the entire experience even more motivating.
All the scheduling was determined by a random draw, and my practice and performance time happened to both be at noon. Due to this timing, I wasn’t able to hear the earlier performances, but I did get to attend the finalists’ concert, which was incredibly inspiring. It was also wonderful to connect with the other young musicians outside of performance hours. I was able to hear and learn from their experiences and make new friends. I especially appreciated the competition format, which included a masterclass opportunity for those who did not advance to the finals. I had the privilege to learn from Dr. Lopinski, who shared valuable insights on the underlying metric structure of my pieces. While we didn’t have a formal chance to speak with the other adjudicators, I was lucky to run into Dr. Angelucci the next day while sightseeing. He generously shared his thoughts on my performance, which I truly appreciated.
All in all, this was an incredibly motivating and enriching experience. I hope to have the opportunity to participate again in the future! I had never been to Montreal before, so it was a real gift to combine travel with musical growth and connection.
