Yuval's Juilliard Journey!

Back when I was seven and a half years old, my parents took me on a holiday to visit my grandparents. I couldn't help not noticing the impressive new object standing in their living room. It was a black upright piano that my Grandma bought following an old dream she had. Excited, I asked her to teach me to play the piano.

I absolutely loved everything about it, from its stunning sound to the sensation in the fingers and all the way to the charm of notes that came together to create beautiful harmonies.

Upon returning home, my parents signed me up for piano lessons.  It wasn’t too long before my grandparents bought me the best present ever: my very own piano. I was thrilled and surprised the day it arrived, though secretly I had hoped for it.

Along with the piano came many "first time" excitements.

For the first time, I learned a new musical piece.

For the first time, I had participated in a concert.

For the first time, I won a competition and for the first time, I lost one.

For the first time, I played with an orchestra.

And so, somehow, without noticing, the piano became a substantial huge part of my life.


I was 16 years old when I watched a video of a famous pianist that I love, playing Liszt Consolation No. 3 at a Carnegie Hall recital. I was impressed by his playing and greatly moved by his performance. I remember how and when all of a sudden something clicked within me. That very moment, I made up my mind that I wanted to become a world-class pianist, and I have been working toward that goal ever since.

I'm a hard worker, and at the same time, I always remember to enjoy life's smallest yet greatest things. I believe that it helps me expand my human experience and communication abilities as an Artist, alongside having a great life.

I love meeting new people, taking risks, getting out of my comfort zone, learning new things and experiencing new feelings. I hope and wish all of that, together with dedicated practice, will lead me forward to making my goals come true.


During the years I achieved quite a few goals such as:

1st prize- the "Rafi Goralnik" prize and The Audience Award in the Aviv competitions, AICF 2018.

1st prize in the National Competition "Piano Forever", Ashdod, 2015.

2nd prize in the Voice of Music Young Artists Competition, Jerusalem, 2015.

I have performed as soloist with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion, Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra IBA, Ra'anana Symphonette, Ashdod Symphony Orchestra, The Beer Sheva Sinfonietta and on Kol HaMusica.

I have participated in Courses and Master Classes such as The Aspen Music Festival and School, Tel Hai International Piano Master Classes, North London Music School, Young Piano Artists course for distinguished pianists, Aldwell Center, Jerusalem, taking Master Classes with Sir András Schiff, Murray Perahia, Menahem Pressler, Christoph Eschenbach, Prof. Veda Kaplinsky, Prof. Tatiana Zelikman, Prof. Michael Schnider, Prof. Suan Wang and Jerom Leventhal among others.

(For my full Bio visit my website)
 

As a performer, it is most important for me to convey my emotions and to connect with music to the point where I can become it.

A truly great moment for me can only happen unexpectedly.

When I'm on stage playing or practicing, surrounded by music- I tend to completely forget about myself. Those are the times when music becomes the only existence.

I realize such magic had happened, only when the piece is over, and I can hear the claps coming from the crowd.

I hope to reach wider audiences in the future. My dream is to take my audience on a journey where they can detach from everything around them and disappear along with me for few moments. I would like to move them as if it's their first time ever hearing music.

I still remember watching the movie “Billy Elliot”, a movie about the life of 11-year-old Billy Elliot, who loves to dance and has hopes of becoming a professional ballet dancer. I was deeply inspired by his hard working character and his persistence. The scene when Billy gets his acceptance letter to the Royal Ballet School in London will forever be a  memory in my heart. I felt as connected as if it were me who got this letter.

I won’t spoil the movie for those of you who haven’t seen it. But I will tell you that the very same thing happened to me with The Juilliard School in NY.

I was so excited to open their letter informing me I GOT IN!


Studying at Juilliard has been my dream for many years. I always knew that someday I’ll have this opportunity. 

I'm happy to say that now I am finally here!


Studying at Juilliard is an extremely important passage in my life and music career. I truly believe the Juilliard environment of excellence, teachers, and working with Dr. Yoheved Kaplinsky (the head of the Juilliard piano department and the teacher I have been assigned to study with) will enable me to become the artist I aspire to be.


The costs of Tuition and living at the Juilliard School in NY are over $70,000 a year.


Juilliard awarded me with a distinguished scholarship. However, I’m still in need of raising more funds.


I thank you so much for your support and for helping in making my dream come true!


Click here for my website!