TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwanese pianist Yen Chun-chieh (嚴俊傑) is set to host the second International Maestro Piano Festival & Competition next year, aiming to elevate Taiwan's global music profile and foster a new generation of musical talent.

The competition, scheduled for Jan. 12 to 16, will be held at the Dadong Arts Center in Kaohsiung. It will feature a jury panel, including Chopin International Piano Competition jury member Ewa Pobłocka, French pianist Pascal Roge, and Geza Anda Competition winner Jinsang Lee, per CNA.

The 32 international contestants to advance to the first round will receive a NT$48,742 (US$1,500) flight subsidy and fully covered accommodation expenses. All rounds of the competition will be live-streamed globally.

Yen envisions Taiwan as a global center for music. The competition will provide a unique opportunity for Taiwanese music students to learn from world-renowned musicians.

Yen said through his years as a judge for international competitions, he was convinced that music transcends borders. He hopes to showcase Taiwan's rich classical music heritage to the world.

Recognizing Taiwan's political limitations, Yen seeks to use music as a bridge to the world. Despite significant costs, Yen believes Taiwan must invest in such an event.

Yen won third prize at the third Tchaikovsky International Music Competition (Youth), first prize at the 4th Hamamatsu International Academy Piano Competition in Japan, and third prize at the 4th Prokofiev International Competition in St. Petersburg. He currently serves as a professor at the National Taiwan Normal University’s Department of Music.