Teen pianist Lee Ju-eon wins junior title at Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition

Lee Ju-eon, a 14-year-old pianist and student at Yewon School, has won the junior division of the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition in the United States.

According to the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition organizing committee, Lee claimed the gold medal — first place — in the junior division (ages 11 to 14), held June 14–20 (local time) in Salt Lake City, Utah. The victory comes with a prize of $10,000 (about 15 million won).

In the final round, Lee performed the first movement of Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1. Liu Menhe, 11, of China took second place, and Huang Junye, 14, finished third.

The competition, which marks its 50th anniversary this year, was established in 1976 in honor of legendary Greek-born pianist Gina Bachauer (1913–1976). It ranks alongside the Van Cliburn and Cleveland competitions as one of the three most prestigious piano competitions in the United States.

The competition has built a strong reputation as a launchpad for promising young performers. Yundi Li, who won the Young Artists division in 1999, swept the Chopin International Piano Competition the following year and rose to global prominence. In Korea, pianist Shin Chang-yong became the first Korean to win in 2018, followed by pianist Seon Yul in 2024.

Lee has already drawn wide attention in domestic and international music circles as a next-generation performer. After making his debut through the Kumho Young Artist Concert in 2023, he swept first place and three special awards at the 2025 Osaka International Music Competition. He won the Young Artists division of the Hilton Head International Piano Competition in March, and has now claimed the Bachauer title just three months later. He currently studies under pianist Kim Jeong-won and receives a cultural arts scholarship from the Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-koo Foundation. He is preparing to compete in the semifinal round of the Cleveland International Piano Competition's Young Artists division in July and August.