Shane van Neerden Shane van Neerden (1999, United States) has appeared as soloist on stages in Europe as well as in the United States. In the Netherlands, he has played in venues such as het Concertgebouw, Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ, and on Dutch television at Podium Witteman. He currently studies with Frank Peters at the Conservatory in Amsterdam and with Eliso Virsaladze at the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole. Shane began piano lessons at the age of six and in his birthplace, the U.S.A., he already won important competitions at a very young age. The majority of his studies were with Carl Cranmer and when he was just 16, he received a full scholarship to study at the Eastern University in Pennsylvania. More recently, Shane was also a finalist in the Concours International de Piano d’Île-de-France. Shane has participated in many festivals and masterclass across the globe with renowned artists. After his lessons with Carl Cranmer, Shane began a bachelor degree at the Conservatory of Amsterdam with Frank Peters. As a first year student, he won a competition which allowed him to play Franz Liszt’s Totentanz with the Conservatorium van Amsterdam Symfonieorkest under the direction of Ed Spanjaard. Shortly thereafter, he was invited to perform in Russia, with orchestra as well as solo. He also received the chance to play in the small hall of het Concertgebouw Amsterdam. In the same year, he received for his first year’s final exam the highest possible grade (a ’10’). Shane plays mostly solo repertoire but also very much enjoys to play in chamber settings. He currently has a quartet, the Mankes Piano Quartet, with musicians from Portugal and Finland. His quartet has performed in Portugal and in the Netherlands. Shane currently lives in Amsterdam and thanks to the National Music Funds he has a grand piano at his home. REPERTOIRE and TIME SCHEDULE Quarter Finals > Thursday 10 February | 11:00 – 11:40 hrs | Bimhuis W. A. Mozart Sonata no. 18 in D major, K.576 N. Medtner Sonata in B flat minor, op. 53/1 ‘Sonata Romantica’ Semi Final M. Ravel Gaspard de la Nuit J. Brahms Piano Quartet no. 3 in C minor, op. 60 Final R. Namavar Ti’afa’a L. van Beethoven Piano Concerto no. 4 in G major, op. 58