The Louisiana International Piano Competition staged our initial competition in October, 2005. This first effort at producing a superior world-class cultural offering was wildly successful by any measure. Our local community and the citizens of Louisiana-at-large, began anticipating future competitions even as the initial competition was unfolding. Thanks to the energies of at least one hundred volunteers and significant support from the City of Alexandria, Louisiana State University at Alexandria, Louisiana College, Northwestern State University; major foundation and corporate support from the Huie-Dellmon Trust, Murphy Oil, Caroline and Jim Theus, The Martin Foundation, Coughlin-Saunders Foundation, Yamaha International and Red River Music; the LIPC is pleased to announce that the Fourth Biennial Louisiana International Piano Competition is scheduled for October 10-15, 2011.

The International Piano Competition is designed to attract the world's most promising young concert artists. The competition is the "brain-child" of one of central Louisiana's most extraordinary concert artists and educators, Nikita Fitenko. His inspired vision for world-class competition centered in Alexandria, Louisiana, has promoted enormous support from other music professionals and volunteers. Our regional symphony, Rapides Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Joshua Zona, is partnering with the LIPC in the planning and implementation of our 2011 competition.

Some of what makes our competition appealing is our ability to deliver Southern Hospitality. Many of the 2005, 2007, and 2009 competitors remain in contact with their host families and competition organizers. In addition to the warm welcome we afford those who participate in the competition, we can assure participants that the LIPC is administered with great attention to detail and that we demand integrity at every turn.

The competition will again be centered at the Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center, and will include master classes, educational workshops, and a Junior Competition at Louisiana College as well as related functions at the Kress Theatre, the River Oaks Arts and Crafts Center, and the Alexandria Museum of Art. The competition will be held bi-annually on odd numbered years.

Advisory Board

Joseph Banowetz
Boris Berman
Sergei Dorensky
Claude Frank
Paul Schenly
Nelita True
Tamas Ungar

Directors

Nikita Fitenko,
Artistic Director

Mary Carolyn Sparks, Executive Director

Katerina Zaitseva,
Associate Executive Director

Executive Committee

David Holcombe, President
Melva Villard, Secretary
Kathey Hunter, Treasurer

Committee Chairs

Pat D'Amico, Publicity Chair and Grants Chair

Mei-En Chou, Junior Competition Director

Celeste Coleman-Mobley, Hosts Chair

Theda Edwards, Applications Chair

Board Members

Margaret Waring
Sherry Blount
Becky Beck
Ty Cedars
David Mobley
Joshua Zona, Director, Rapides Symphony Orchestra

LIPC FRIENDS

Nicole Holcombe,
Assistant to the Board

Kate Waring,
Liaison and Advocate

Laura Weems, Receptions Chair