The 4th Edition of Brillante
29 Sept - 01 Oct 2023
Join us and discover everything you need to know. Click below to access the comprehensive guide to our piano competition now!
Enter
Join us and discover everything you need to know. Click below to access the comprehensive guide to our piano competition now!
EnterThe Brillante Piano Festival brings you talented pianists from across the globe. The festival has a whole package of Competitions, Performances and Pedagogy all in one edition.
Browse editionsDemonstrate high level performance and teaching example/method. (concerts/master-classes/workshops)
Provide platform and forum for local teachers and students to explore deeper understanding of piano studies (master-classes/discussions)
To provide opportunity for all deserving pianists to compete at a national level.
Explore various pianistic styles across varied genres
Pradyumna Singh Manot a.k.a. Paddy, is a fiery Latin Jazz Pianist, composer and music educator from India. He is Founder, Director of Music Studies, Prime Mentor and Head of Departments of Piano, Jazz and Blues at 12 Keys. Pradyumna started studying the piano at the age of 6. He studied Western Classical Music for 12 years and also studied tabla. Pradyumna started his journey in the study of Jazz music at the age of 18 and at 24 became a student of the late Madhav Chari for 8 years. He has since performed extensively with popular blues, jazz and latin ensembles such as Saturday Night Blues Band, Los Amigos, The Latination and Jazzeando. He is the founder and leader of the Latin ensemble Los Gatos, Poco Loco and Jazz ensemble - 4 on a Swing, which has been empanelled with India Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). Pradyumna has worked with many dancers across different dance forms such as ballerinas Leah Curtis and Emily Mc-Loughlin and has extensively toured as a jazz pianist and performed at various concert halls, venues, jazz clubs and prestigious
Pradyumna started his journey in the study of Jazz music at the age of 18 and at 24 became a student of the late Madhav Chari for 8 years. He has since performed extensively with popular blues, jazz and latin ensembles such as Saturday Night Blues Band, Los Amigos, The Latination and Jazzeando. He is the founder and leader of the Latin ensemble Los Gatos, Poco Loco and Jazz ensemble - 4 on a Swing, which has been empanelled with India Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
Pradyumna has worked with many dancers across different dance forms such as ballerinas Leah Curtis and Emily McLoughlin and has extensively toured as a jazz pianist and performed at various concert halls, venues, jazz clubs and prestigious national and international festivals.
A Welsh pianist, Luke Jones started playing the piano at the age of 5 and made his debut recital at Oriel Wrecsam aged 10. Since then he has performed all over Britain at important venues and has won prizes in competitions around Europe notably 2nd Prize and Mompou Prize at the prestigious Maria Canals International Piano Competition, 1st Prize at the Bromsgrove International Musicians Competition, 1st Prize in "Aci Bertoncelj" International Piano Competition, Slovenia. 1st Prize in "Section A" Chopin-Roma International Piano Competition, Italy, and 3rd Prize in the Manchester International Concerto Competition, UK.
He has also performed with orchestras such as BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Manchester Camerata, Orchestra of the Swan and Jove Orquestra Nacional de Catalunya.
Luke was awarded the RNCM Gold Medal, the college's highest award for Performance. He recently completed a bachelor’s degree with First Class Honours at the RNCM and is continuing his studies there on the Masters’ Programme with a full scholarship from the ABRSM under the tutelage of Dina Parakhina.
Acclaimed pianist Marouan Benabdallah is indisputably the leading representative of his native Morocco on the international concert stage, having recently performed on stages such as Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, the Berlin Konzerthaus with the Budapest Festival Orchestra and Iván Fischer and the Castleton Symphony orchestra under the baton of Lorin Maazel.
Mr. Benabdallah received his formal training at the Béla Bartók Conservatory and the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest, and in 2008, was presented with the Medal of the Hungarian Parliament for his achievement in music
Following his triumphs at the Hungarian Radio Piano Competition, the Andorra Grand Prize, and the Naples International Piano Competition, Mr. Benabdallah attracted international attention and his successes quickly lead to performances in Germany, Austria, China, Spain, the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Italy, among others He is also the Artistic Director of “Arabæsque - Classical music from the Arab world” which is a musical project of Concerts, International Series and Mini-Festivals launched in 2014.
Monika Herzig is an accomplished jazz musician teaching courses on the Music Industry and Arts Entrepreneurship in O'Neill's Arts Management program. Originally from Germany, Herzig came to the United States on a scholarship exchange program at the University of Alabama where she earned her master's degree in music education. She has toured internationally with her band Beeblebrox, opening for Tower of Power, Bette Midler, Yes, Sting, the Dixie Dregs, and more. By 1997, Herzig had completed her DME in Music Education with a minor field in Jazz Studies at IU's Jacobs School of Music.
Herzig is cofounder of Jazz from Bloomington, a society fostering appreciation and education about jazz in South Central Indiana. Over the past several years, Herzig has booked and organized close to 40 concerts with internationally renowned artists and presented programs to thousands of elementary school children throughout Indiana. As a touring jazz pianist, Herzig has performed at prestigious jazz clubs and festivals around the world. Most recently, Herzig can be heard on MDG Records' David Baker: Singer of Songs.
She is Heas of Head of Jazz Education Network (JEN) Research Committee) , achieved 15+ Recordings as a leader , won 1995 DownBeat Magazine Composition Award, 2015 Jazz Journalists Association Jazz Hero and has written numerous articles and book chapters on Creativity, Entrepreneurship, Jazz Education.
The most beautiful thing in the world is the gift of music that everyone of us possess. Before the inevitable Covid 19 pandemic, the second edition of Brillante Nagaland Piano Festival held at RCEMPA Jotsoma, Kohima offered me an unforgettable experience. It featured renowned musicians, competitions, concerts notably the Live Jazz and classical piano concert. There was a grand opening of 100 pianos in tune with Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. Pianists portrayed and embraced the music beautifully, in Cantabile, which gives me goosebumps at the thought of it. I am honored to be a semifinalists among pianists from all over the state. More than a participant, I was a listener. The repertoire were beyond my imagination. I extended a new friendships and enjoyed the event to the fullest. It was an eye opener to witness things I have neither seen nor experienced before. It equipped me with the art of patience, the process of achieving a real masterclass. Moreover, the knowledge of history attached to Nagaland‘s first grand piano is a memorable one. The festival enlightened me with an ever increasing passion for music. I get overwhelmed and energized when playing the piano, rather than leaving the keys untouched. Playing a piece is like building the essence and beauty of it and ultimately portraying it to listeners. Thank you Brillante!
To me, Brillante Piano festival 2019 was a musical and a cultural treat. I feel blessed and proud to be a part of this festival. It is one unique festival across the country which encourages and promotes classical pianists. The three/four days of being in Kohima and the hospitality we received is irreplaceable. The amount of learning I took back home from this festival is a building block for my piano journey. Being amidst so many brilliant musicians there made me feel like a drop in the ocean. I got the chance to interact with the native musicians of all ages as well as pianists across the country and learn so much. The festival was full of love for music, piano, and pianists and was organized with utmost professionalism. The first day of the festival where 100 pianists performed together at the inaugural was a beautiful and memorable moment. I cannot miss this chance to express how much I fell in love with Nagaland/Kohima, its mesmerizing natural beauty and the people there are very kind and friendly. I am forever grateful to Dr. Theja Meru Sir for giving me and my co-pianists this wonderful opportunity. I thank my Guru Dr. Surojeet Chatterji Sir and KM Conservatory for helping us explore these platforms. This would be my most memorable event as it has given me a base and a lot of confidence. I wish I get a chance to be a part of all the recurring versions of this festival.
Imagine walking up to a stage, facing a crowded audience, the thrill of performing what you’ve been practising for so many hours, the excitement that surrounds you when you hear your name called out. Brillante, the Nagaland Piano Festival brings you that experience right at your doorstep. Collaborating with music schools all over Nagaland, inviting all pianists in the country to be a part of this festival. It isn’t only about the competition but it's an open storehouse for talents, bringing in Talented Artists and Music lovers from all over the country to be a part of it, promoting one another with Performances and providing Masterclasses, giving you a chance to experience the talents of the locals with Arts & Crafts and Merchandise to remember the Festival when you venture back, a warm cup of Coffee to blanket you in the chill weather, etc. I have had a great experience being able to be a part of the first two editions, and I surely look forward to the ones that are yet to come. I warmly welcome anyone and everyone to come and experience what’s in store, because it’s a different experience each time.
Brillante has been a great and invaluable experience allowing me to learn and grow as a musician. Meeting so many talents, sharing music and getting pumped up and feeding off from the energy of my fellow pianists! A really amazing festival not only for pianists but all musicians
I took part in the Brillante Piano Competition which was held in 2019. Everything about Brillante was remarkable and astonishing. There were workshops, concerts, live sessions and they were incredibly impressive! When I first came to know about the other competitors, I was amazed because of their incredibly talented skills. I will forever be grateful that I was given the chance to meet such greatly talented musicians. I thank God for guiding me throughout the competition, my parents and teachers who were my motivators. Brillante is where I took part in my first piano competition, and with the knowledge that I have attained from this platform, I hope and wish to practice it in my daily life. Brillante will hold a very important part in my life and I will always cherish it in the coming days.
I had a blast attending Brillante 2019 as a judge and solo pianist. It was great fun travelling to Kohima and meeting the students and music teachers there. The musical spirit was infectious, and the festival was incredibly well-organized. It's good to see a jazz category this year and I've let my students know they should apply! All the best with this year, Aman Mahajan
A rare opportunity to listen to such a wide range of music from familiar classical pieces to informal jams that made you want to jump up and dance.”
It was a fantastic street music festival that not only promoted music but also our state Nagaland while also giving us the opportunity to showcase our products and culture.
A great experience. I hope you can make this a regular event.
As a parent i was elated to hear about a roadshow based on Piano. This seems to be one of its kind. We always see so many shows based on mainly guitar and drum but it was a pleasure to attend this show with altogether a different genre. Eagerly looking forward to attend many more such shows
As a parent i was elated to hear about a roadshow based on Piano. This seems to be one of its kind. We always see so many shows based on mainly guitar and drum but it was a pleasure to attend this show with altogether a different genre. Eagerly looking forward to attend many more such shows
Kudos to Khyo for pioneering this event and concept, and playing a leadership role in providing a platform for performance not just in her backyard but taking it across the country.
Kudos to Khyo for pioneering this event and concept, and playing a leadership role in providing a platform for performance not just in her backyard but taking it across the country.
