Joel, a 16-year-old pianist currently in the 11th grade, has been studying piano with Dr. Anna Ouspenskaya since 2016. Over the years, he has developed a mature musical voice and a strong stage presence, performing at major venues including Carnegie Hall on multiple occasions.
In 2019, Joel won 1st place in the Little Mozarts International Competition performing Balakirev (Balanchivadze) Piano Concerto No. 3, Mvt. 3, which led to his debut performance at Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall, where he performed Clementi’s Sonatina Op. 36 No. 6, Mvt. 1. The same repertoire also earned him 2nd place in the Great Composers International Competition series — The Music of Eastern Europe and Masters of Sonata.
In 2020, Joel received 1st place in the American Fine Arts Festival with Kabalevsky’s Piano Concerto No. 4 “Prague,” Mvt. 1, and was selected for the Orpheus Classical Recording Project.
He continued gaining international recognition, earning 3rd prize at the Knabe International Piano Concerto Competition (2022) with Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 2, Mvt. 1, and 2nd place in the GCC The Art of Piano Competition. In 2023, Joel won 3rd place in Best Mozart Performance with Concerto No. 22, Mvt. 1, 2nd place in the Glory International Music Competition, and received an Honorable Mention in the American Music Talent Competition. That May, he returned to Carnegie Hall to perform Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in G.
Also in 2023, Joel won 1st place in the American Fine Arts Festival International Concerto Competition with Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 22, and performed Beethoven’s Sonata No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 10 No. 1, Mvt. 1 at Carnegie Hall later that year. He additionally earned 3rd place in the Best of Beethoven Competition 2023.
Most recently, in 2024, Joel received an Honorable Mention at the NVMTA Concerto Festival for his performance of Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto No. 2, Mvt. 1, and won 1st place in the Sempre Musick International Concerto Competition 2024, where he performed the same concerto with orchestra in May 2024.
Joel continues to develop his artistry and technical mastery, pursuing performance opportunities and preparing for a future career as a concert pianist.
