Philip M. Kwoka

Philip, age 18, is from Wellington, Florida. His Solo Program will take place at 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, June 5:

FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN Nocturne no. 8 in D–flat major, Opus 27, no. 2

CLAUDE DEBUSSY Étude no. 11 in A-flat major from Études pour le Piano
("pour les Arpèges composés")

SAMUEL BARBER Sonata for piano, Opus 26
IV. Fuga: Allegro con spirito

FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN Sonata no. 2 in B Flat major, Op. 35
I. Grave - Doppio movimento
II. Scherzo
III. Marche funèbre: Lento
IV. Finale: Presto

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His Duo, Concerto, and Solo recital will take place at 1:15pm as well, on Monday, June 5:

FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN Andante spianato et Grande Polonaise brillante in E-flat major, Opus 22
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Sonata for violin and piano no. 2 in A major, Opus 12
I. Allegro vivace

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Opus 37
I. Allegro con brio

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ABOUT PHIL

A first generation American, Philip Kwoka was born in New York City to Polish parents and grew up speaking both Polish and English. Not surprisingly, Philip is especially fond of compositions by Polish composer Frédéric Chopin – an interest that led him to receiving yearly scholarships in 2007 and 2008 from the Chopin Foundation of the United States.

When Philip was in elementary school, his family moved to South Florida, where he began piano studies with Roberta Rust at the Lynn University Preparatory School of Music. After graduating from high school, he was accepted at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he is currently studying with Daniel Shapiro.

Philip says that he has an enormous passion for and “an insatiable desire to expand my knowledge of music.” His passion, studies, and disciplined efforts were rewarded in 2007, when he won first place prizes with the Tampa Bay Symphony Young Artist Competition and the Bradshaw and Buono International Piano Competition. In 2008, he was also a prizewinner with the New World Symphony Concerto Competition and the Blount Slawson Young Artist Competition. .

Philip likes challenges. He has learned six concertos, has a very large repertory, and looks forward to the challenges of the PianoArts competition that includes solo and chamber music, as well as audience engagement that integrates speaking about the music and performing. When he is not practicing or studying piano repertory, he listens to a vast array of symphonic and chamber music. He also enjoys Florida lifestyle activities of skateboarding, surfing, tennis, and golf.