A 12-year-old pianist from Port Orchard is set to take the stage at New York City’s Carnegie Hall after earning top honors in an international competition.
Ilyannie Gonzalez, a student at Washington Virtual Academies, took first place at the Crescendo International Piano Competition, securing her invitation to perform at Carnegie’s Zankel Hall March 15. The award places her among the top young pianists worldwide.
Gonzalez has earned a gold medal at the Classical Viennese International Piano Festival and a silver medal at the Bach and Charleston International Piano Festivals. She is also a member of the Bremerton West Sound Symphony.
Beyond music, Gonzalez has gained national recognition in technology and leadership. She was named the National Innovation Challenge Overall Champion and People’s Choice Award winner for her work in coding, which she presented in Washington, D.C.
She is also a top 10 finalist in the National Civics Bee and a finalist for the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship.
Gonzalez credits her success in part to the flexibility of online learning, which allows her to balance academics with her passions in music, technology and civic engagement.