Louis will perform Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Cleveland Philharmonic on Saturday, March 2nd at Cleveland State University and Sunday, March 3rd in Westlake. Tickets available at Eventbrite.
Louis Wang, 16, from Great Neck, New York, is currently a junior at Solon High School in Ohio. He started his formal music training in piano at the age of four and cello at the age of ten. By 5th grade, Louis achieved New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Level 6 certification for piano and Level 5 in cello with perfect scores for both instruments. He shifted his focus to concentrate on cello after moving to Ohio five years ago and has been playing as a member in the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra (COYO) performing regularly at the Severance Hall since 2021. Taking a break from piano for more than three years, Louis has rekindled his passion for piano after attending one of Kissin’s concert in Cleveland and had since been independently exploring various pieces in which he found a deep connection with Rachmaninoff’s piano concertos.
Louis has participated in local and state auditions and competitions and has received many awards. He was the winner for the Cleveland Cello Society Scholarship Competition junior division in 2020 and performed as a soloist in the 2021 winner’s recital livestream in Bop Stop at the Music Settlement. He sat as the principal cellist in the 2023 OMEA Northeast Regional Orchestra and has been selected to participate in the 2024 OMEA All-State Orchestra. Louis was also the winner of the 2024 Frieda Schumacher Young Artist Competition and the 2024 Euclid Symphony Orchestra’s Young Artists Competition.
In his free time, Louis enjoys playing video games and basketball with his friends as well as watching music documentaries. His favorite place to be is grandma’s house in Flushing, Queens NY.
Louis is currently studying cello with Mr. Paul Kushious (Cleveland Orchestra and Oberlin Conservatory), and piano with Ms. Julia Russ (Cleveland Institute of Music).