Public invited to final round of WC International Piano Competition
Weatherford College invites the community to attend the 8th Annual Weatherford College International Piano Competition on Friday and Saturday, April 10–11, in the Alkek Fine Arts Center. Admission is free.
What began eight years ago as a bold vision has grown into one of the most respected international piano competitions in the classical music world, drawing pianists from across the globe to compete in Parker County.
The competition is organized and directed by Dr. Hyeyoung Song, who said this year’s competition is especially significant.
“This 8th edition is especially meaningful, marked by our successful regional auditions in Korea last fall and the introduction of our first Piano Quartet Final Round,” Song said. “From one piano to a global stage, WCIPC remains a place where every pianist is valued, supported and inspired. I warmly invite you to join us, be inspired and become part of our community of excellence, integrity and artistry.”
Song’s dedication to the event earned her WC’s 2025 Presidential Service Award. In presenting that honor, President Tod Allen Farmer praised Song for single-handedly elevating the institution’s profile and building a competition that commands respect from the global classical piano community.
“Seven years ago, the idea of bringing world-class pianists from over 25 countries around the world to Weatherford, Texas, to compete in an international piano competition sounded like a delusional pipe dream,” Farmer said. “Thanks to the unparalleled service of one truly exceptional woman, that pipe dream is now a vibrant reality.”
This year’s field of 13 semifinalists represents talent from around the world. Competitors include Alex Nam, Daae Kim, Daria Podorozhnova, Dongju Kim, Eric Guo, Ivy Xiaoya Wan, Jihyung Youn, Korkmaz Can Saglam, Mitsuki Fukuhara, Mohan Jia, Ru-An Yang, Yiduo Zhao and Yu Qin.
Each semifinalist will perform a 25-minute solo recital on Friday, April 10, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with four finalists to be announced at a Presidential Dinner.
Then, on Saturday, April 11, from 2 to 4 p.m., the finalists will perform piano quartets alongside the WC Chamber Music Ensemble, choosing from works by Mozart, Schumann, Brahms, or Fauré. The finalists will be evaluated by a panel of internationally acclaimed pianists: Victor Rosenbaum (USA), Tamás Ungár (Hungary/USA) and Sofya Gulyak (Russia/USA). An awards ceremony will immediately follow.
For more information, visit wc.edu/wcipc or follow the competition on Facebook and Instagram at @WCInternationalPianoCompetition and @wc_piano_competition.