Celicia Thendean

Celicia Thendean, age 17, began her piano studies at the age of 3 under the guidance of her mother and Prof. Anna Poklewski. She later advanced her training with the renowned Ilana Vered. 

Celicia had the honor of performing as a soloist with many prestigious orchestras, including the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, the Brunensis Virtuosi Orchestra, Livermore-Amador Symphony, SEEN Orchestra, Korea Seocho Philharmonia, and Palo Alto Philharmonic. Her exceptional talent has earned her top prizes in a variety of distinguished piano competitions, such as the Piano Texas International Festival Concerto Competition, the Arthur Fraser International Piano Competition, the Claudette Sorel Piano Competition, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Competition, and the Philadelphia International Music Festival. She was also inducted into the prestigious Young Artists Guild in 2025 and received the Chopin Foundation Scholarship in 2024. 

Her musical development has been further enriched through participation in renowned summer programs, including the Juilliard Summer Program, Piano Texas International Festival, Music Fest Perugia, Southeastern Piano Festival, Vivace Music Festival, Philadelphia International Music Festival, and the Edward Auer Summer Workshop. Celicia’s excellence at the Vivace Music Festival earned her the prestigious Vivace Award in 2020, leading to an invitation to perform in Wilmington, North Carolina alongside distinguished professors Marina Lomazov, Joseph Rackers, and Ara Gregorian. 

Beyond her professional achievements, Celicia is committed to using music as a force for good. She has performed benefit concerts supporting Alan Hu Foundation and Amador High School music programs, reflecting her dedication to community engagement. 

In addition to piano, Celicia plays cello, oboe, english horn, and clarinet—having reached the MTAC Panel Finals on cello and earning the position of concertmaster for the All-Northern Honor Band on oboe.