Source: Slawomir Dobrzanski, 785-532-3811, slawomir@k-state.edu;
and Tianfang Si, andreasi@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Nellie Ryan, 785-532-6415, media@k-state.edu

Friday, Nov. 20, 2009

K-STATE STUDENT FROM CHINA WINS SECOND PRIZE AT STATE MUSIC COMPETITION

MANHATTAN -- Tianfang Si, a Kansas State University student in piano performance from Hangzhou, China, received second prize in the freshman-sophomore category at the 11th annual Kansas Music Teachers Association Honors Auditions Nov. 8 at the University of Kansas in Lawrence.

The Kansas Music Teachers Association is the state affiliate of the Music Teachers National Association, which has the mission of advancing the value of music study and music making to society and to support the professionalism of music teachers. The association has 50 state affiliates, which hold their own music competitions for the best college music students in their states.

To achieve her second-prize win at the competition, Si played the first movement of the Haydn Sonata in E flat Major, Hob. XVI:52, and the "Elegie" by Sergei Rachmaninov.

Second prize is a great honor, said Slawomir Dobrzanski, K-State professor of piano and Si's teacher.

"It is always a pleasure to have students win recognitions outside of campus and see their hard work and commitment recognized by out-of-campus professionals," Dobrzanski said. "I am also glad that the K-State piano program, thanks to students like Tianfang, will gain more visibility in the state of Kansas."

Si has been playing the piano since the age of 5. Si said her parents urged her to go abroad for her college education rather than studying in China so she could experience a different culture. What attracted Si to K-State was the possibility of majoring both in composition and piano.

"This award is very meaningful to me," Si said. "It is a reward both for myself and my professor for our efforts. I really appreciate him. He makes me feel like I can be someone great, even though I am not yet excellent. I also enjoyed the competition and learned a lot from the other pianists."