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Portrait of Hannah Shinholster
Laureate

Hannah Shinholster

United States

Hannah Shinholster is a pianist and educator known for her expressive playing, refined technique, and commitment to musical storytelling. She began studying piano at the age of six and has since developed a deep connection to the classical repertoire, with particular interest in clarity of form, stylistic awareness, and expressive nuance. A native of Warner Robins, Georgia, Hannah holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in Piano Performance from Mercer University and a Master of Music in Piano Performance from Georgia State University. Throughout her studies, she has performed in masterclasses for distinguished artists and has been recognized in statewide piano competitions, reflecting both her artistry and dedication to her craft. As a performer, Hannah’s repertoire spans from the elegance of the Classical era to the richness of Romantic and contemporary works. She is especially passionate about the music of Haydn, Mozart, and Chopin, and enjoys bringing out the character and structure within each work she performs. In addition to her performance career, Hannah is an active teacher of piano and voice. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes the balance between technical mastery and musical expression, guiding students to develop both discipline and artistry. She is particularly interested in helping students understand stylistic differences across musical periods, fostering thoughtful and informed musicianship from an early stage. Hannah continues to perform and collaborate while expanding her presence as both a soloist and educator, with future plans to establish a broader concert career and engage with diverse musical communities.

Latest Recognition
  • Silver Award
PIANO
Brahms International Online Music Competition — 3/2026
Awards & Recognitions

A timeline of recognition

Brahms International Online Music Competition — 3/2026
PIANO · I
Brahms - Rhapsody in B minor, Op. 79, No. 1 Brahms – Rhapsody in G minor, Op. 79, No. 2 Beethoven – Piano Sonata in C minor, Op. 10, No. 1 Prokofiev - The Montagues and the Capulets from Romeo and Juliet Chopin – Nocturne in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 1 Gottschalk – Souvenir de Porto Rico, from Marches de Gibaros, Op 31 Rachmaninoff – Prelude in C-sharp minor, Op. 3, No. 2 Rachmaninoff – Etude-Tableau in C-sharp minor, Op. 33, No. 9
  • Silver Award
Haydn Online Music International Competition — 2/2026
PIANO · I
Scarlatti - Sonata in G Major, K. 124 Haydn - Sonata in C Major, Hob. XVI:50 Liszt - Liebstraum no. 2 in E Major Liszt - Hungarian Rhapsody no. 3 in B flat Major Sibelius - Impromptu in B Minor, Op. 5, no. 5 Chopin - Scherzo in C# Minor, Op. 39, No. 3
  • Silver Award
World's Best Musicians Competition — 2/2026
PIANO · I
Rhapsody in B minor, Op. 79, No. 1, Rhapsody in G minor, Op. 79, No. 2 - Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Sonata in C minor, Op. 10, No. 1 - Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827) The Montagues and the Capulets - Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) Nocturne in C-sharp minor - Op. 27, No. 1, Frederic Chopin (1810-1849) Souvenir de Porto Rico from Marches di Gibaros, Op. 31 - Louis Moreau Gottschalk (1829-1869) Prelude in C-sharp minor, Op. 3, No. 2 Etude-Tableau in C-sharp minor, Op. 33, No. 9 - Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)
  • 1st Prize
Mozart International Music Competiton — 2/2026
PIANO · I
Mozart - Piano Sonata in C Major, K. 330 Chopin - Polonaise in C# Minor, Op. 26, No. 1 Moszkowski - Etude in G Minor, Op. 72, No. 2 Moszkowski - Etude in D Minor, Op. 72, No. 9 Rachmaninoff - Prelude in C# Minor, Op. 3, No. 2 Rachmaninoff - Etude-Tableau in C# Minor, Op. 33, No. 9 Debussy - La Cathedrale engloutie from Preludes, Book 1 Liszt - Hungarian Rhapsody no. 7 in D Minor
  • Gold Award
Global Young Musicians Competition — 2/2026
PIANO · H
Rhapsody in B minor, Op. 79, No. 1, Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Rhapsody in G minor, Op. 79, No. 2 Sonata in C minor, Op. 10, No. 1, Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827) The Montagues and the Capulets, Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) Nocturne in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 1, Frederic Chopin (1810-1849) Souvenir de Porto (sic) Rico, Louis Moreau Gottschalk (1829-1869) Prelude in C-sharp minor, Op. 3, No. 2, Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) Etude-Tableau in C-sharp minor, Op. 33, No. 9
  • Gold Award
Fenix Award International Music Competition — 2/2026
PIANO · I
Rhapsody in B minor, Op. 79, No. 1, Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Rhapsody in G minor, Op. 79, No. 2 Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Sonata in C minor, Op. 10, No. 1, Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827) The Montagues and the Capulets, Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) Nocturne in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 1, Frederic Chopin (1810-1849) Souvenir de Porto Rico, from Marches di Gibaros, Op. 31, Louis Moreau Gottschalk (1829-1869) Prelude in C-sharp minor, Op. 3, No. 2, Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) Etude-Tableau in C-sharp minor, Op. 33, No. 9 Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)
  • Gold Winner
BACH International Music Competition — 2/2026
Piano · I
Mozart - Sonata in C Major, K. 330 Chopin - Polonaise in C# Minor, Op. 26, No. 1 Moszkowki - Etudes, Op. 72 No. 2 in G Minor No. 9 in D Minor Rachmaninoff - Prelude in C# minor, Op. 3, No. 2 Rachmaninoff - Etude Tableau in C# minor, Op. 33, no. 9 Debussy - La cathedrale engloutie Liszt - Hungarian Rhapsody no. 7 in D Minor
  • First Prize