Joining Pacific Symphony on the stage of the Soka Performing Arts Center is the exceptional pianist Elias Ackerley. Born in Shrewsbury, England, and having begun his piano studies at the age of 5 in South Korea, Ackerley has achieved remarkable success from an early age. He won several prestigious competitions, including the Manchester Beethoven Competition and the Scottish International Youth Piano Competition. Ackerley studied at the Curtis Institute of Music and is currently pursuing his master’s degree at The Juilliard School under Robert McDonald. His recent accolades include being a prize winner at the 2023 Aarhus International Piano Competition and a finalist at the 2024 Montreal International Piano Competition. Ackerley’s dynamic performances and technical prowess have earned him acclaim across international stages, making him a standout soloist for this concert.