For immediate release                                                   April 21, 2008

JOPLIN, MO (SNS) – Behzod Abduraimov of Uzbekistan was named winner of the Junior Division of the Missouri Southern International Piano Competition following the final round Thursday night. The 17-year-old pianist will receive a first prize of $4,000. He is a student of Stanislav Ioudenitch at Park University Youth Conservatory in Kansas City and has won several other top prizes in international competition.

            Anna Han, 12 of the United States was awarded second prize of $3,000. Yale Work, 17, of the United States won third place honors with a cash award of $2,000. Honorable Mention awards of $1,500 each were given to 10-year-old Daniel Hsu of the United States and Jung-Eun Kim, 14 of Korea.

            The first, second and third place winners will perform with the senior winners in the Gala Winners Concert on Saturday at 8 p.m. in Taylor Performing Arts Center. Tickets for the Gala are $15, free to students and seniors 60 and over. For additional information, interested persons may call 417-625-9755 or email msipc@mssu.edu.

            Senior winners will be announced following the end of  their final round on Friday night.

             For additional information and concert tickets, contact MSIPC at 417‑625‑9755, email msipc@mssu.edu.