10th-Grade Pianist Earned First Prize at International Competition

Edward Shulzhenko, a 10th-grade student at American Heritage Schools, Palm Beach Campus, achieved a major milestone by winning First Prize at the World Art Games international fortepiano competition. This prestigious contest, organized by Fiestalonia Milenio, featured a jury of internationally recognized artists and educators and received support from ministries of culture and tourism in more than 20 countries.

The World Art Games provided an opportunity for student musicians to receive evaluation from global professionals. Participants were judged on the complexity of their repertoire, technical capability, and artistic skill. Edward’s performance of "Ragtime" from the Playing Jazz suite by Gennady Sasko stood out to the judges, earning him top honors and international attention.

Edward’s path to this award was unique. While he initially focused on engineering and sports, he began learning music on his own initiative. He applied a structured, problem-solving mindset from his engineering background to his piano practice, which allowed him to refine his technique with intentionality and efficiency.

The success was especially meaningful given the circumstances of Edward's training. For more than three years, he continued his piano lessons exclusively online with his teacher in Ukraine. These sessions often occurred under extreme conditions, including power outages and air raids. Edward remained committed to his studies, inspired by his teacher’s incredible perseverance despite the difficulties of the war.

This international achievement arrived as Edward recovered from a complex surgery on his foot. His win at the World Art Games confirmed his resilience and self-discipline. The American Heritage Schools community celebrated Edward’s dedication to the fine arts and his ability to reach a high international level through hard work and a commitment to his craft.