Union to host inaugural Southeastern Kentucky Piano Festival April 25-26

Rachel Dorroh • March 5, 2025
Local youth Vilia Travers Skidmore plays piano in Union's Conway Boatman Chapel


Local music enthusiasts and youth will have a new opportunity to come together and celebrate the arts this April. Union Commonwealth University (UCU) is set to host the inaugural Southeastern Kentucky Piano Festival Friday, April 25 through Saturday, April 26. Festival events include recitals by UCU students and guest artists, a judged recital for local youth, a master class, and an award ceremony and performance.


“I’ve seen students benefit from these types of festivals regularly in more metropolitan areas, and I’ve always wanted to give this type of experience to the students in our local area,” says festival artistic director and UCU Assistant Professor of Music Dr. Yukiko Fujimura.

Dr. Yukiko Fujimura

[PHOTO: Dr. Yukiko Fujimura]


Festivities begin Friday evening with a recital by UCU students and guest artists Kris Rucinski and Misha Tumanov. Rucinski’s repertoire includes Balakirev, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin, Medtner, and Prokofiev, and his original compositions have been premiered throughout the South and Midwest United States. Originally from Ashland, Kentucky, Rucinski currently teaches at the University of the Cumberlands. Tumanov teaches at George Mason University and has won numerous awards and recognitions. He has been a featured soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica, the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Washington, as well as the Ball State Symphony Orchestra.


Fujimura is enthusiastic about encouraging young people to practice music and develop as performers, and Saturday’s events are especially geared for youth. Pianists of all skill levels up to age 18 are invited to apply for Saturday morning’s judged competition by March 28. Participants will be required to perform two contrasting pieces, pay a $20 application fee, and follow other criteria explained in the application available at www.unionky.edu/pianofestival. The Judged Recital offers participants performance experience, constructive feedback from distinguished adjudicators, and the chance to earn recognition for their excellence in piano performance.


“It’s a great motivation for students to work toward and be recognized for the work they put into it,” Fujimura says.
Misha Tumanov

Directly following the judged recital, guest artist Misha Tumanov will offer a free master class, which youth performers are encouraged to stay for. Born in Ukraine and educated in Costa Rica and the U.S., Tumanov has taught pre-schoolers through adults and is known for his expertise in preparing students for competitions and major performances. His students have performed at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center and have won multiple prizes. All ages are welcome to sit in on the master class.


[PHOTO: Misha Tumanov]


The festival concludes with an award ceremony for the youth recital and then a performance by the gold medalists. All participating youth will receive a certificate, and gold, bronze, and silver medals will be awarded for the top scores.


Fujimura is excited to launch the festival and grow it over time. She has gained valuable leadership experience through the Kentucky Music Teachers Association (KMTA), which she now serves as President of. She is working on starting a virtual chapter of KMTA so that teachers in southeastern Kentucky and other remote areas of Kentucky can take advantage of what the association has to offer. Doing this would enable KMTA to become a co-sponsor of next year’s festival. 

With KMTA as a co-sponsor, students would be able to play in the state honors recital, which Fujimura says is "extra motivation.” She also hopes to host a competition with monetary prizes in the future.


The festival will be held in Conway Boatman Chapel on College Street in Barbourville. Events are free and open to the public, other than the application fee for the judged recital. For those unable to pay the application fee, a limited number of scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To request a scholarship, email Dr. Fujimura at yfukimura@unionky.edu. Recipients will need to pay the fee upfront but will be refunded at the conclusion of the program. The schedule is as follows:

 

Friday, April 25


UCU Student Recital

Guest Artist Recital (Kris Rucinski & Misha Tumanov)

7p.m. – 9 p.m.




Saturday, April 26


Judged Recital* (18 & under)

9 am. – 12 p.m.

*apply at www.unionky.edu/pianofestival by March 28


Master Class (with Misha Tumanov)

1 p.m.


Awards & Gold Medal Recital

3 p.m.


For more information about the Southeastern Kentucky Piano Festival or to apply for the application fee scholarship, contact Dr. Yukiko Fujimura at yfujimura@unionky.edu. To apply for the judged recital, fill out the application at www.unionky.edu/pianofestival.

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