He projected a vivid sense of the character of the different sections and allowed each one to unfold with inevitability. The fugal sections thrived on his excellent control and brilliant fingerwork. He is a formidable musician for one so young…
New York Concert Review
Pianist
Organist
Harpsichordist
Composer
John
Samuell
Artist Program
The Leon Fleisher Academy
American University
Washington, DC
July 13-25, 2026
Chamber & Solo Recital
Chamber
Wieniawski – Variations on an Original Theme (violin)
Shchedrin – In the Style of Albeniz (violin)
Solo
Bach/Busoni, Haydn, Stravinsky
Encore: Shostakovich, IV. Waltz for Two Violins and Piano
Rising Stars Concert
American University, Katzen Arts Center
Washington, DC
July 17, 2026
7:30 PM
Chamber Recital
Popper – Tarantella, Op. 33 (cello)
de Bériot – Violin Concerto No. 9 in A Minor
I. Allegro maestoso
Leon Fleisher Recital
American University, Katzen Arts Center
Washington, DC
July 18, 2026
5:00 PM
Chamber & Solo Recital
Chamber
Poulenc – Sonata for Violin and Piano
I. Allegro con fuoco
II. Intermezzo
III. Presto tragico
Solo
Bach/Busoni, Chopin, Stravinsky
Rising Stars Concert
American University, Katzen Arts Center
Washington, DC
July 23, 2026
7:30 PM
Competition
Haydn – Sonata
Bach / Busoni – Chaconne
Rachmaninoff – Etude
Thomas F. Hulbert Int’l Competition
Semi-Final Round
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Earl and Darielle Linehan Concert Hall
Baltimore, MD
July 25, 2026
1:00 – 1:45 PM
Competition
Thomas F. Hulbert Int’l Competition
Final Round
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Earl and Darielle Linehan Concert Hall
Baltimore, MD
July 26, 2026
3 PM
Masterclass
New York City, NY
July 30, 2026
11 AM
Performance
Thomas F. Hulbert Int’l Competition
Winner’s Concert
Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall
New York City, NY
July 30, 2026
8 PM
Associate Diploma Exam
Bach – Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue
Mozart Piano – Sonata
Mendelssohn – Variations
Rachmaninoff – Prelude
Liebermann – Gargoyles
Rachmaninoff – Etude Tableau
Royal Conservatory of Music
Northern VA
August 5, 2026
Performance
The REACH at the Kennedy Center
Washington, DC
August 7, 2026
6 PM
Chamber & Solo Recital
Program
Beach – Romance, Op.23 for Violin and Piano
Beethoven – Piano Sonata No. 5 in C minor, Op. 10 No. 1
I. Allegro molto e con brio
Sergei Rachmaninoff – Étude-Tableau in E-flat minor, Op. 39 No. 5
Chausson – Poème for Violin and Piano Op. 25
Chopin – Nocturne in A-flat major, Op. 32 No. 2
Poulenc – Sonata for Violin and Piano
I. Allegro con fuoco
II. Intermezzo
III. Presto tragico
Cleveland Park Congregational
United Church of Christ
3400 Lowell Street, NW
Washington, DC
August 16, 2026
6:30 PM
Recording Session
Antonín Dvořák – Piano Quintet No. 2 in A major, Op. 81, B. 155
I. Allegro, ma non tanto
II. Dumka: Andante con moto
III. Scherzo (Furiant): Molto vivace
IV. Finale: Allegro
Northern VA
September 8, 2026
Competition
Johannes Brahms
Piano Concerto No.1, Op.15
I. Maestoso
Vancouver, WA
October 11, 2026
August 2026. Selected as a 2026-27 Learning and Media Lab Fellow with NPR’s From the Top.
August 2026. Completed the ARCT Piano Performer’s diploma examination, Royal Conservatory of Music, with First Class Honors with Distinction (95/100).
July 2026. First place in the 2026 Thomas F. Hulbert International Young Artist Piano Competition, and recipient of the Carnegie Hall Performance Award.
July 2026.
Poulenc – III. Presto tragico. John Samuell (piano) & Eileen Montgomery Cunningham (violin)
Full recital here.
July 2026. First place in the 2026 WIPF International Piano Competition. Selected to perform at the Kennedy Center.
July 2026.
Shchedrin – In the Style of Albeniz. John Samuell (piano) & Jessie Wu (violin)
Full recital here.
June 2026. First place in the Kaufman Music Center International Youth Piano Competition, Junior II Division.
June 2026. Completed all requirements for Level 10 Comprehensive Certificates in Piano, Organ, and Harpsichord
June 2026. Semifinalist in the Gina Bachauer International Junior Piano Competition.
June 2026. Honorable Mention in the Ruth Monte Memorial Bach Competition / The American Bach Society.
June 2026. Received a full scholarship to the Artist Program at The Leon Fleisher Academy.
May 2026. Selected as a finalist for NPR’s From the Top Learning and Media Lab Fellowship and featured on the program’s Daily Joy series.
March 2026. Accepted to Juilliard Pre-College, fall 2026. Studying with Professor Hung-Kuan Chen.
September 2025. WQXR Radio broadcast of Bach Toccata in C Minor, BWV 911.