Pre-Festival Encounters.
Featuring the artists of Frost Chopin Academy & Festival
June 13th, 2026
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Join internationally acclaimed pianists Kate Liu and Kevin Kenner, distinguished Chopin scholar John Rink, and host extraordinaire Ben Laude for an engaging evening of music, conversation, and artistic discovery.
Through live performance and insightful discussion, the panel will explore enduring questions at the heart of musical interpretation: How do performers transform notes on a page into meaningful artistic experiences? What challenges and opportunities arise when approaching Chopin’s music? What constitutes artistry, and how can it be cultivated, taught, and shared?
Drawing on their unique perspectives as performers, educators, and scholars, the artists will offer audiences a rare glimpse into the creative process behind great music-making.
Presented as a special preview of the 2026 Frost Chopin Academy & Festival, this “behind the scenes” event serves as a sampler of the Festival’s rich array of activities, including world-class performances, in-depth discussions of Chopin’s music, open lessons, masterclasses, and interactive workshops.
Whether you are a devoted music lover, a pianist, educator, student, or simply curious about the art of musical expression, this inspiring evening offers an invitation to listen more deeply, think more broadly, and discover new dimensions of Chopin’s enduring legacy.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
John Rink
A frequent guest of the Academy since 2019, he is internationally recognized as one of the leading authorities on Fryderyk Chopin’s music. A prize-winning author and Editor in Chief of The Complete Chopin: A New Critical Edition (Peters Edition London), his work focuses on Chopin’s manuscripts, performance history, and period instruments. He has led major research projects dedicated to Chopin, served on the jury of the last two International Chopin Competitions in Warsaw, and is Professor of Musical Performance Studies at the University of Cambridge.
Kate Liu
An internationally acclaimed pianist, Kate Liu gained worldwide recognition after winning Third Prize, the Best Mazurka Prize, and the Audience Favorite Prize at the 17th International Fryderyk Chopin Competition in Warsaw. She has since performed at leading venues worldwide and collaborated with renowned orchestras across Europe, Asia, and North America. A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and The Juilliard School, Liu is celebrated for her poetic artistry and exceptional interpretations of Chopin’s music.
Ben Laude
Concert pianist, educator, and media producer Ben Laude has been praised by The New York Times for playing of “superb pace, tone, and eloquence.” Founder of LaudeArts and creator of a popular classical piano YouTube channel, he has collaborated with leading artists and organizations, including the Chopin Foundation of the United States, the Aspen Music Festival, and the Cliburn Competition. Laude holds a doctorate in piano from The Juilliard School and serves on the faculty of Utah State University.
Kevin Kenner
One of today’s leading interpreters of Chopin, Kevin Kenner gained international recognition after winning the top prize at the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw in 1990. Acclaimed for his performances, recordings, and collaborations worldwide, he has earned praise from major international publications and audiences alike. Kenner is Professor of Piano at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and has served on the juries of both the National and International Chopin Competitions.
About the Festival
The Frost Chopin Academy & Festival returns for its seventh edition, bringing together remarkable, internationally celebrated artists and the most promising young pianists of the next generation.
This year’s festival features acclaimed Chopin interpreters Kate Liu and Garrick Ohlsson, the award‑winning Apollon Musagète Quartet, jazz visionary Ted Rosenthal and his trio, and distinguished Frost School faculty artist Brian Powell.
Alongside them, the winners of the Academy’s concerto and chamber competitions and the rising talents showcased in the Stars of the Academy concert embody the spirit of mentorship, discovery, and artistic excellence that defines the Festival.
Across one inspiring week, audiences will experience a rich tapestry of musical expression—from Romantic masterworks and iconic Chopin repertoire to chamber music landmarks and imaginative jazz transformations.
Whether you are a devoted classical music listener or simply curious to encounter extraordinary artistry up close, the 2026 Festival invites you into a world where tradition, innovation, and the joy of performance meet.
