Bachauer Young Artists Competition finals tonight

Six finalists in the Gina Bachauer Young Artists Competition were chosen Friday night out of the 29 competitors who performed this week.

The finalists are: Nansong Huang, 14, China, Jonathan Floril, 18, Spain, Hin Yat Mozar Tsang,15, Hong Kong, Beatrice Rana,15, Italy, Kenric Tam,18, Calif., USA, Sijing Ye, 16, N.Y., USA/China.

Bryce Isaacson with the Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation said in an e-mail that it was difficult to know who would make it to the finals because all the competitors were very experienced and advanced.

Finals will be held tonight at 7 in the Jeanne Wagner Theatre of the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, 138 W. 300 South. Tickets will most likely be sold out, but there will be a stand-by line. Tickets are $10 at www.arttix.org or by calling 355-2787 or 888-451-2787.

For the final round, the six finalists will perform one movement from any concerto of the competitor's choice. They will be accompanied by Colette Valentine. An award ceremony will take place after the final round.

The first-place winner will receive a Gina Bachauer gold medal and a $8,000 cash award. Second place will take home the silver medal and a $6,000 cash award. Third place will take home a bronze medal and $5,000 while fourth, fifth and sixth place winners will receive $4,000, $3000 and $2,000, respectively.