PERFORMANCES
David participated in the prestigious Morningside Music Bridge program held at the New England Conservatory, an intensive month-long residency that brings together exceptional young musicians from around the world. During the program, he benefited from daily lessons and masterclasses with internationally acclaimed professors, engaged in chamber music ensembles, and was inspired by the performances of many talented peers. The experience left a lasting impression, fueling his motivation and anticipation for future artistic opportunities.
2025 Morningside Music Bridge
David advanced to the Semifinals of the 9th Sendai International Music Competition in Japan, one of the world’s most distinguished platforms for emerging pianists. Performing among accomplished international musicians, he gained invaluable artistic insights through feedback from esteemed jurors. The achievement was both an honor and a significant milestone in his artistic journey.
2025 Sendai International Music Competition
David was invited by the Yamaha Group to perform in Tokyo at the 11th Rising Pianists Concert, sharing the stage with gifted young artists from Japan and Korea. The occasion was not only a celebration of cultural exchange and emerging talent, but also a deeply rewarding artistic experience. Performing at the renowned Yamaha Recital Hall on the magnificent CFX concert grand piano offered an exceptional setting that elevated the performance and left a lasting impression.
https://retailing.jp.yamaha.com/shop/ginza/hall/event/detail?id=6696
2025 The 11th YAMAHA Rising Pianists Concert
The MTNA (Music Teachers National Association) Competition is widely regarded as a premier platform for emerging artists, offering them national recognition and the opportunity to perform before distinguished audiences and jurors. David was awarded Third Prize in the 2025 MTNA Senior Piano Performance Competition, one of the most respected national competitions for young pianists in the United States. After advancing through the California State and Southwest Division rounds, he earned his place as a National Finalist and performed in Minneapolis, presenting a demanding program that included Prokofiev’s Etude in D minor, Handel’s Suite No. 2, Grainger’s Ramble on Love from Der Rosenkavalier, and Ravel’s Scarbo.
The event also provided a meaningful personal highlight: reconnecting with his mentor, Dr. Alex McDonald, whose encouragement deepened David’s artistic resolve. This recognition affirmed his commitment to continual growth and artistry.
https://www.mtna.org/MTNA/Engage/Competitions/Senior_National_Winners.aspx
2024-2025 MTNA Senior Performance Competition
At the invitation of Professor Marian Rybicki and the Animato Association of Paris, David had the privilege of performing at the Salle Cortot and Salle Munch of the École Normale de Musique de Paris. The experience offered a profound encounter with the charm and sophistication of European musical tradition, while the audience’s genuine passion for classical music created an inspiring atmosphere. Sharing the stage with fellow pianist Illia Ovcharenko added to the artistic significance of the occasion. Paris remains a place he greatly looks forward to performing in again.
https://sallecortot.com/event/concert-animato-david-choi-illia-ovcharenko/
ANIMATO Recital, Salle Cortot, Paris, France
In both 2024 and 2025, David was named a Winner in the Classical Music category of YoungArts, the National Foundation for the Advancement of Artists. Established in 1981, YoungArts is one of the United States’ most prestigious arts organizations, dedicated to identifying and supporting the nation’s most promising young artists across disciplines including music, dance, theater, visual arts, and writing.
Being recognized as a YoungArts Winner not only affirms artistic excellence but also grants access to a distinguished network of mentors, alumni, and opportunities that have shaped the careers of many leading artists. This honor has been a meaningful milestone in his musical journey, inspiring him to continue striving for artistic growth and excellence.
https://youngarts.org/winners-directory/#/?discipline=classical-music&year=2025
YoungArts Competition Winners
Among the international competitions he has participated in, the 12th Hamamatsu International Piano Competition in Japan remains one of the most memorable. Recognized as one of the world’s leading piano competitions, Hamamatsu is renowned for discovering and nurturing outstanding talents who go on to establish international careers. As the youngest participant, he had the rare opportunity to compete alongside seasoned professional pianists, an experience both humbling and inspiring.
From an initial pool of 683 applicants worldwide, 87 pianists advanced to the first round, and he was grateful to be the youngest among the 24 performers selected for the second round. Although he did not progress to the final stage of six pianists, performing on such a prestigious stage was a defining moment in his artistic journey.
Beyond the performances, the competition offered invaluable encounters with distinguished jurors, whose feedback provided fresh perspectives and guided his artistic growth. The experience expanded his global outlook, deepened his artistic growth, and strengthened his resolve to move audiences with sincerity.
2024 The 12th Hamamatsu International Piano Competition
As a member of the Willow Piano Quartet, David and his Colburn colleagues were awarded First Prize at the Busan Maru International Music Festival in Korea. Their performance of Gabriel Fauré’s Piano Quartet No. 1 in C minor, Op. 15 (1st movement) showcased both the ensemble’s youthful energy and the refined lyricism demanded by the work. The piece, with its sweeping Romantic harmonies and dramatic interplay between strings and piano, provided a unique opportunity for the quartet to explore the delicate balance between intimacy and intensity that defines Fauré’s chamber music.
The Willow Piano Quartet has also competed in the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition and was selected to perform through the DTLA Alliance program, experiences that further deepened their artistry as an ensemble. Through these collaborations, he discovered not only the exhilaration of ensemble playing but also the profound joy of musical unity, which continues to inspire his pursuit of deeper artistic research. The Busan experience was both a cultural and artistic highlight, enriched by meaningful camaraderie and the joy of sharing music across borders.
https://www.bmimf.co.kr/community/photo.html?bmain=view&uid=518&search=%26page%3D3
2024 Busan Maru International Music Festival
David was awarded First Prize in the Senior Division of the Kaufman Music Center International Youth Piano Competition in New York. Established in 1998, this distinguished competition has become a prominent platform for young pianists from around the world, hosted by the Kaufman Music Center—one of New York City’s leading institutions for music education and performance. Over the years, the competition has been recognized for discovering outstanding young talent and fostering their growth through international visibility and professional opportunities.
Sharing the prize with his colleague Zarin Mehta made the achievement especially memorable, underscoring the camaraderie and inspiration that competitions can foster. Despite limited preparation time due to summer festival commitments, the recognition affirmed both his dedication and resilience.
https://www.kaufmanmusiccenter.org/kc/about/youth-piano-competition/
2024 Kaufman Music Center International Youth Piano Competition
David was awarded First Prize at the Palm Beach Atlantic University Young Artist Piano Competition in Florida, an esteemed event that provides a stage for emerging pianists to demonstrate their artistry and gain recognition within a supportive academic and musical environment. The kindness and encouragement of the distinguished jury and faculty members left a lasting impression of gratitude. Set against the university’s beautiful coastal campus, with its striking seaside views and warm Florida sunlight, the competition was not only a significant artistic milestone but also an experience enriched by its inspiring natural setting.
2024 PBA YOUNG ARTIST PIANO COMPETITION
David participated in the Cooper International Piano Competition held at Oberlin Conservatory and advanced as a Semifinalist. Founded in 2010, the Cooper Competition is recognized as one of the leading youth piano competitions in the United States, attracting outstanding pianists aged 13 to 18 from around the world. Hosted in partnership with the Cleveland Orchestra, the competition is notable for its distinguished jury, comprised of internationally acclaimed pianists and pedagogues, as well as for offering finalists the rare opportunity to perform a full concerto with the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall.
As his second international youth piano competition following the Hilton Head International Piano Competition, the Cooper experience was both musically enriching and personally inspiring for David, enhanced by the chance to explore Oberlin's campus, a place he had long hoped to visit.
https://www.oberlin.edu/cooper-competition/piano-2023/participants
2023 COOPER INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION
David was honored to be named one of the five finalists of the Hilton Head International Piano Competition (HHIPC), one of the most prestigious youth piano competitions in the United States. Established in 1996 on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, HHIPC has built a distinguished reputation for discovering and nurturing exceptional young pianists who often go on to successful international careers.
Reaching the Final Round provided the rare opportunity to perform a concerto with orchestra, an artistic milestone that left a lasting impression. Equally meaningful was the warm hospitality he received from his host family, whose kindness made the experience especially memorable. Hilton Head affirmed his passion for performance and deepened his gratitude for the community that surrounds great music-making.
2023 HILTON HEAD INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION
David won the Gold Medal at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s 27th Annual National Young Artist Competition in Vancouver, Washington. Established in 1995, this distinguished competition has provided a platform for outstanding young musicians across the United States, offering winners the rare opportunity to perform as soloists with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Over nearly three decades, the competition has earned a reputation for fostering emerging talent and celebrating artistic excellence within a professional orchestral setting.
As part of his award, David performed Franz Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major with the full orchestra under the masterful direction of Maestro Salvador Brotons, the VSO’s long-standing Music Director and Conductor. The performance became an unforgettable milestone that combined the thrill of orchestral collaboration with the grandeur of Liszt’s virtuosic score.
https://vancouversymphony.org/2021-young-artist-competition-winners/
