The Aram Khachaturian competition was founded in 2003 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian. Although the annual competition honors talented musicians in the categories of piano, cello, violin and composition, this year was the first time the events included conducting among the categories.

This year’s jury featured seven renowned judges, including Mark Hildrew, executive director of Askonas Holt, and Michalis Economou, principal guest conductor of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and music director of the Athens Symphony Orchestra.

As part of his win, Park will split a $10,000 cash prize and receive an invitation to conduct the Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra once again in a concert performance this October as well as the conducting the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia over the next two years.

“Competitions are important because they offer a great opportunity for conductors like me to lead an orchestra and allow myself to grow through experience,” he added. “I entered (the competition) to gain more experience, but I must say that I am also very happy with the results.” 

“I think one of the biggest benefits to me in winning this competition is the invitation to once again conduct the Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra,” Park said. “I am both happy to be able to conduct the orchestra once again and happy it will open up future conducting opportunities for me.”  

Park began playing the piano at the age of 4. He later studied piano at the State University for Music and the Performing Arts in Stuttgart, Germany before receiving his masters in orchestra conducting under Leopold Hager, Uros Lajovic and Mark Stringer at the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna in Austria.

In 2013 he was selected as one of only six young conductors to take part in maestro Chung Myung-Whun’s master class with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)