Tomoyo Umemura (22) won the grand prize of 34th PTNA Piano Competition.

On August 22nd, the final round of the special grade was held in Tokyo, where four finalists appeared on stage with Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Chikara Iwamura. Among the finalists, Umemura, the only female finalist this year, played Beethoven 5th Emperor concerto with full energy and beautiful interpretation (see video).

 It was the following day on 23rd that she was announced to be the grand prize winner. Flower was given to her by the predecessor, Mizuho Nakada(left). Supported by the enthusiastic appreciation by audience, Umemura also received the audience prize. Half of the admission income of the final round is allocated to this prize, which is turned out to be the amount of 509,750 yen. 
Silver prize was given to Atsushi Imada(19), and Bronze to Jun Kaneko(23). 
*See semi-final performance by Tomoyo Umemura (Schumann Fantasie op.17)
*Go to the result page

Born in 1988, Tomoyo Umemura began studying piano at the age of 4, and four years later, she took part in PTNA piano competition for the first time. In 2005 She won the gold prize at grade G, the second hightest level under 26. It took her five years to move one step forward, to reach the special grade (no age limit) which she dreamed of in her childhood.

Umemura is now senior at Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music. She has been taught by Kimihiko Kimijima, Claudio Soares and Kei Ito. She will appear in the International Music Festival in Poland (Naleczów) next summer. Her concert schedule will be upcoming.