The 7th National Chopin Piano Competition Finalists

In 2005, the Chopin Foundation of the US celebrated it's 30-year Anniversary since the first Chopin Competition in the US. Lady Blanka Rosenstiel's dream was still going strong and evolving with every passing decade. For the 7th edition of the Competition a strong field of 22 contestants arrived in Miami attracted by the supportive community of Chopin enthusiasts and a first prize that had grown to $18,000 as well as an extensive concert tour. The tour included a debut recital at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall in New York City. The first prize winner was Mei-Ting Sun picture here on the far left. Joining Mei-Ting and Lady Blanka on stage for the awards ceremony was (L to R) Igor Lovchinsky, finalist; Rachel Naomi Kudo, 2nd prize; Sean Kennard; 3rd prize; Howard Na, finalist and Esther Park, 4th prize. Rachel Naomi Kudo made it to the finals in Warsaw that year as her career was just starting to develop.