Jun Shimada

Jun Shimada

Jun Shimada (Japan)
Concerto: Liszt Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, S.124

Jun Shimada is a Tokyo-born young pianist who has appeared on stages worldwide. He is

currently a junior in the Juilliard Pre-College Division, where he has studied with Hung-Kuan Chen and Tema Blackstone since 2017. Jun is a grant recipient of the Program of Overseas Study for Upcoming Artists supported by Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan. He is also a recipient of the US Chopin Foundation and Artemisia Foundation Scholarships.

In 2022-2023, Jun won 1st prize at the Chopin International Piano Competition in Hartford, CT, the gold medal at the Manhattan International Piano Competition for Young Artists, and 2nd prize at the Philadelphia International Music Festival Concerto Competition, which was adjudicated by principal players in the Philadelphia Orchestra and Los Angeles Philharmonic. That season, he also performed in its salon-style Stella Series supported by Artemisia Foundation.

Jun has given solo performances in North America, Asia, and Europe. His solo recital highlights include concerts at the Schloss Höch in Salzburg, Act City Hamamatsu Concert Hall, and a virtual performance for the Shenzhen Piano Festival. Jun has also given several solo recitals in Paul and Morse Recital Halls at The Juilliard School. As an Artemisia Foundation Fellow, Jun previously performed in its private Sessions in Chelsea Wine Vault, featuring state-of-the-art acoustics and recording in a wine vault turned performance space.

Jun has been recognized at competitions internationally, receiving top prizes at the Bangkok International Piano Competition, Young Verona Piano Competition and Japan Classical Music Competition. Locally, he has garnered gold and silver medals at Chicago International Music Competition for Young Artists and the Princeton Steinway Society Competition, for which he was featured on WWFM classical music radio station. After winning the 2018 Juilliard Pre-College Concerto Competition, Jun made his debut as concerto soloist at the age of 13 with the Juilliard Pre-College Orchestra.

In past summers, Jun has participated in the Internationale Sommerakademie at the Mozarteum, Aspen Music Festival and School, Piano Academy Eppan and the Chicago International Music Online Festival. He has been mentored by distinguished musicians including Yoheved Kaplinsky, Arie Vardi, Matti Raekallio, Andrea Bonatta, Lilya Zilberstein, Julian Martin, and Mikhail Voskresensky. Besides music, Jun avidly explores a wide range of literature, classic films, impressionist paintings, and the latest animation.