Biography
San Jittakarn
Hailed by La Libre Belgique as “an inspired and visionary poet,” San won Third Prize and Paderewski Prize at the prestigious Geneva International Music Competition in 2018, one of the most established international music competitions, and joined the list of past laureates that sees names such as Martha Argerich and Maurizio Pollini.
San distinguished himself at the Maria Canals International Music Competition in Barcelona, receiving the Jury’s unanimous medal “Unanimitat Medalla,” and was a semi-finalist at the esteemed Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition in Brussels where his performance of Mozart’s Piano Concerto was applauded by Crescendo Magazine as “an unpredictable, touching pianist.” Other awards and honors include Second Prize and Classical Sonata Award at the Shigeru Kawai International Piano Competition in Tokyo, and First Prizes at the Tchaikovsky Memorial Prize Shanghai International Piano Competition, the Oberlin Concerto Competition and the Arthur Dann Piano Competition. San is the first Thai pianist to represent Thailand in the main competition of the International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw.
San appeared at Victoria Hall with Orchestre de la Suisse Romande in Switzerland. Other concerto performances were with Orchestre Symphonique de l’AMAmusique, Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre Royal de Chambre de Wallonie and Oberlin Orchestra. His performances have been broadcasted by La Radio Télévision Suisse in Switzerland, RTBF channels in Belgium and Cleveland Ovations of WCLV radio in the United States. His concerto performance with Orchestre de la Suisse Romande has been issued into a disc under Concour de Genève label in partnership with Montres Breguet. In Japan, his performance is recorded and distributed digitally by E-Onkyo.
In addition to his orchestral engagements, previous appearances include venues such as Rosey Concert Hall in Rolle, Sala Aula Copernicanum in Bydgoszcz, Studio Ernest Ansermet in Geneva, Flagey Hall in Brussels, Petit Palau de Musica in Barcelona, Shangyin Opera House in Shanghai, Seoul Arts Center's Recital Hall in Seoul, Kawai Omotesando Concert Salon in Tokyo and Yamato Mirai Hall in Yokohama.
San attained Bachelor’s degree at Oberlin College and Conservatory where he worked with Monique Duphil and Yury Shadrin, and received the John Elvin Piano Prize. He later earned his graduate degrees at the Juilliard School and Yale University. At Juilliard, San studied with Hung-Kuan Chen and Jerome Lowenthal in shared studios. San graduated from Yale as a George W. Miles fellow where he continued his studies with Hung-Kuan Chen and chamber music with David Shifrin.
Puna Anantaprakorn
Puna Anantaprakorn, currently 15 years old, is studying at Harrow school in England with a music scholarship for both piano and cello. Puna has participated in numerous piano competitions during his time in Thailand. Some competitions in which he has received awards from include 1st prize winner at Kawai Music Competition 2017, 2nd prize winner at 19th SET Youth Musician Competition, and 2nd prize winner at the 17th Osaka International Music Competition in Japan, just to name a few.
Furthermore, Puna is also keen in attending festivals such as the Sicily International Piano Festival and Competition in Italy and the International Piano Island Festival in Singapore. Apart from these he has also received his ATCL diploma from Trinity College London. Puna is also planning to take his LTCL diploma at the end of 2022.
Arisa Chanpong
Arisa Chanpong started her piano career at the age of four when she first enrolled in the Junior Music Course (JMC) at Yamaha Music School. She is currently under the tutelage of Dr. Eri Nakagawa and San Jittakarn.
Arisa completed the Associated Board of Royal School of Music (ABRSM) Grade 8 with Distinction at the age of 12 years old. In addition, she has won numerous awards from both national and international competitions including the Royal Trophy from HRH Princess Patchara Kittiyapa from her performance at the Yamaha Thailand Music Festival, Gold Prize from Bangkok International Piano Competition 2021, 2nd Prize at the 7th Asean International Chopin Piano Competition in Malaysia, and 2nd Prize at the Bangkok International Performing Arts Piano Competition.
Aside from piano, Arisa is currently studying at Ruamrudee International School (RIS) where she’s a member of the National Honor Society and the Vivace Honors Choir.
Kantapat Piyathumawuttikul
Kantapat Piyathumawuttikul (Indy) is currently studying Year 10 at Denla British School under All Round Scholarship for Music and Chess. Indy started playing Piano at the age of 4 years old and enjoys playing during his free time.
He started competing several years ago after winning a small school competition. He enjoys the competitions for both Piano and Chess in the national and international events. Some piano prizes that he received include Platinum Award at the 1st Bangkok Classical Music Festival 2019, 2nd Prize in Category C at Churairat Piano Competition 2019, 2nd Prize in Piano Class B at Young Artist Music Contest 2019, Gold Prize in Piano Open Class B at the 6th Hong Kong International Youth Performance Artis Festival 2019, Platinum Medal at 1st Swiss International Music Competition 2021, Platinum Medal at Quebec Music Competition Online International 2021, Grand Prize at International Youth Music Competition 2021 in Atlanta, USA, Gold Prize in Etude Category at London Young Musician 2021-2022, Gold Medal in Rising Star Category at Canadian International Music Competition 2022, and Platinum Medal at Quebec Music Competition Online International 2022.
Pavarisa Direkwattanachai
Pavarisa Direkwattanachai (Pearl), 13, is a high school student of Satit Prasarnmit Demonstration School. Pearl’s musical journey started at home at the age of 6 before she took formal piano lessons at MCGP Paragon, Mahidol College. Later, Pearl continued to study with some of outstanding teachers in town: Ajarn Mina Y. Ivanova and Kru Sek Thongsuwan. And at present, Pearl is receiving trainings under the tutelage of Kru San Jittakarn, who has been supporting her in developing further her artistic and musical skills.
Some of her notable achievements include First Honor in Sonatina Category at Macao Piano Competition 2019, 2nd Prize Winner and Special Prize for Compulsory Piece in Category B at the Churairat Piano Competition 2019, 3rd Prize Winner in Division 1 of Thailand Steinway & Sons Youth Piano Competition 2020, Silver Prize at 2020 Osaka International Music Competition 2020, Silver Prize at 2nd WPTA Singapore IPC, Category Young Virtuoso, Bronze Award at 5th Brilliant Talent Discovery Awards, Singapore, Gold Prize in Junior Category at Bangkok International Piano Competition 2020, and Gold Award in Grade 6 Class Category at SEA Piano Competition Final Round 2021. Last year, Pearl had passed Grade 6 Piano ABRSM with Distinction.
Napapat Niltawach
Napapat Niltawach (Ally) is currently 8 years old and studying in Year 4 at Bangkok International Preparatory & Secondary School (Bangkok Prep).
Ally has received numerous awards from international piano competitions including 1st Prize at The 8th Windsor International Piano Competition, 1st Prize at Four Notes International Piano Competition 2022, 1st Prize at IYMMC International Young Musicians Music Competition Wien 2022, 1st Prize at the III International Online Instrumental Performance Competition Vienna 2022, and 1st Prize at the 4th PCM Online International Piano Competition.