Young Mill Creek pianist chosen to compete at Seattle festival

Published 10:46 pm Sunday, October 4, 2009

Joshua Lim may never forget his 17th birthday.

Lim was chosen in his division from a pack of more than 30 competitors to perform at the Seattle International Piano Festival competition Saturday at Seattle’s Benaroya Hall. It just happens to be his birthday.

The Mill Creek pianist and Jackson High School tennis player was the only student selected from Snohomish County. He will play piano etudes by Stravinsky and “Isle of Joy” by Debussy in the 14- to 18-year-old youth division, competing against five other players for the top spot.

The competition awards cash and noncash prizes for first, second and third place. Placing in this international competition with some of the best players in the world is quite a feather in the cap of any young pianist.

“It’s pretty huge playing at Benaroya Hall in front of a big public audience,” said Joshua of his first international piano festival. “It could be nerve-wracking but at the same time very exciting to show the public how I play piano.”

Lim’s teacher, Judy Baker, said Lim has been playing since he was 5, beginning his studies in Korea and then signing up with Baker when he turned 8.

“I’m certainly proud of him,” Baker said.

Joshua’s resume is full for a 17-year-old: After debuting with an orchestra at age 10, he has played as a soloist with the Everett Youth Symphony, the Port Gardner Chamber Orchestra and the Skagit Symphony.

He’s won honors at the Seattle Festival and the Bach Festival and medals at the Chopin Festival. Joshua has also been teaching piano for a year under the student teacher program of the Washington State Music Teachers Association.

“To add to that, he’s a really likeable guy,” Baker said.

This is the second year for Seattle to host the international piano festival, which brings players from Canada, the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, China, Korea, Italy, Taiwan and Indonesia, along with showcasing local talent.

Aside from the solo-piano competition, the festival features guest recitals, master classes and lectures by world-class performers.

Joshua’s division is scheduled to begin performing at 10 a.m. Saturday at Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle. The event is open to the public and tickets are $25 at the door.

For more information, go to www.seattlepianocompetition.org.

Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424, goffredo@heraldnet.com.