Dutch pianist Sharon Niessen prizewinner at Charleston International Music Competition

Dutch pianist Sharon Niessen has added another notable honor to her list of achievements, by winning the Second Prize in the Age 30+ Piano Category at the 2024 Charleston International Music Competition. This prize, awarded during the Spring Music Competition last week, shows her exceptional musical artistry, distinguishing her among thousands of participants from around the world.

The Charleston International Music Competition is a prestigious global competition that celebrates musical excellence and diversity across various age groups and instruments. With participants from over 80 countries, the competition attracts thousands of musicians each year. The competition allows musicians to showcase a wide range of musical works without restrictions on repertoire, from classical masterpieces to contemporary and original compositions. This openness encourages participants like Sharon Niessen to highlight their unique talents and interpret a diverse array of music, allowing established musicians to gain international recognition and share their passion for music. To date, more than 5,000 finalists have been celebrated in this highly competitive event.

Sharon impressed the judges with her performances of two master pieces: "Sonetto 123 del Petrarca" by Franz Liszt from Années de Pèlerinage, and "L'Isle Joyeuse" by Claude Debussy. Her interpretations were praised for her exceptional technical mastery, musical expression and emotional depth. The competition's panel of judges consist of a panel of esteemed musicians with international careers and educators from renowned institutions such as the Juilliard School, Royal College of Music, and Moscow Conservatory. Their evaluation considered various aspects, including technical precision, interpretation, musicality, and emotional expression.

Early Beginnings and Acclaimed Musicianship
Born and raised in the Netherlands, Sharon began her musical journey at the age of 9. She has been acclaimed for her lyrical and expressive playing, as well as her insightful musicianship, both as a solo pianist and as a chamber musician.
Sharon has won several both national and international competitions. For example, she was prizewinner at prestigious competitions such as the Princess Christina Competition in the Netherlands. Her piano trio, the Maggiore Piano Trio, also gained recognition at the IMKA Music Competition in Sarajevo.

From Chamber Music to Major Orchestras an Career Highlights
As a dedicated chamber musician, Sharon regularly performs in her violin-piano duo with Martine Wijers, the first violinist in André Rieu’s Johann Strauss Orchestra, and in her clarinet-piano duo with clarinetist Janneke Steinmann. She is also a member of the Maggiore Piano Trio, with award-winning violinist Anna Britala, who plays in the 1st violin section of the renowned Noord Nederlands Orkest, and the esteemed cellist Camillo Cabassi. Additionally, Sharon has collaborated with the renowned Dutch soprano Miranda van Kralingen and world champion whistler Geert Chatrou.

She has also performed as a soloist with several leading Dutch orchestras, including the Philips Symphony Orchestra, the Youth Orchestra of the Netherlands, the Promenade Orchestra, and the Helikon Orchestra. She worked with renowned conductors such as Sander Teepen, Jules van Hessen and Jurjen Hempel. A notable highlight of her career was a tour with the Youth Orchestra of the Netherlands, where she performed Liszt’s First Piano Concerto under the direction of Jurjen Hempel. Additionally, her performance at Carnegie Hall in New York was a significant milestone. She was also featured on the Netherlands' leading classical music radio station, NPO Radio 4, and appeared on the popular Dutch TV channel RTL 5 and RTL 7.

Her latest recognition at the Charleston International Music Competition further enhances her reputation as a pianist, highlighting her dedication and her ability to impress audiences. As she continues to pursue to new musical endeavors, we can anticipate even more remarkable accomplishments from this exceptional pianist.

Go to her website to learn more and listen to her performance at the Charleston International Music Competition here.