"Benjamin Jiang, age 11, is a 6th grader at Elliott Ranch Elementary School in Elk Grove, CA. He began studying piano at the age of 5 with Mrs. Ning Chen, and currently studies with Dr. Natsuki Fukasawa. His recent accomplishments as a pianist include winning first place in his division at the United States International Music Competition, the International Music Festival, the Japanese Piano Teachers Association of Greater Sacramento’s Piano Competition, California Association of Professional Music Teachers’ Go for the Gold Festival, and took second place at the United States Open Music Competition, the Classical Masters Music Festival, and Auburn Symphony Young Artist Competition of 2019. As a concerto competition winner, Benjamin performed with the Merced Symphony in February.
Benjamin also started cello with Mrs. Beverly Rogers at age 7, and continues with Mrs. Susan Lamb Cook, winning the American String Teachers Association’s Solo Competition in the Sacramento branch, the Classical Masters Music Festival, and the Music Teachers’ Association of California’s Memorial Scholarship Recital. He took second place at Auburn Symphony Young Artist Competition of 2019. In addition to his solo endeavors, Benjamin is a member of the Sacramento Youth Symphony’s Premier Orchestra. As a concerto competition winner, Benjamin will perform with the Sacramento Youth Symphony Premier Orchestra in April. Generally, he enjoys performing music, along with his friends, for the community, like participating in Mrs. Cook’s annual Winter and Summer Chamber Music Workshops to perform at senior homes and churches. Benjamin loves mathematics and reading in school, in addition to his hobbies of swimming, playing tennis, skiing, and frolicking with his 6-year-younger brother Richard.
