Zion Levy

Although Zion touched his first keyboard at the age of three, it wouldn’t be until the age of seven that Zion would begin taking piano lessons. When Zion was initially enrolled in the Charlotte Academy of the Arts, he went under the tutelage of Manana Restiano, who taught him the basic fundamentals of piano. At the age of eight, Zion began participating in student recitals in the spring, fall and winter. In 2019, Zion was transferred to Irina Kornlinova, who he currently studies with. In the same year, Zion also began participating in the annual North Carolina Junior Festival of Music Clubs (NCJFMC), where he has received “Superior” ratings ever since. At the age of twelve, Zion applied for his first international piano competition, subsequently winning in an international final round in Recanati, Italy. In 2024, Zion performed the first movement of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto N°1 Op.1 with his teacher and at Carnegie Hall for a winners’ recital after winning second prize for the American Protege International Piano and Strings Competition. In 2025, Zion received the opportunity to perform at Kansas University with the St. Petersburg Quartet during the 7-day IPPA Conero Chamber Music Festival. Furthermore, he also joined the “Melodic Minors”, a group who plays in senior retirement homes. In addition, Zion has also been invited to perform in several school performances over the past years, such as “Mosaic Night” and “Concert in the Quad”. In 2026, Zion performed at a high school graduation and participated in two more competitions, winning second prize in the Franz Liszt Center Competition and the Charleston International Music Competition. When it comes to music, Zion enjoys listening to the “20th century greats” such as Sviatoslav Richter, and he enjoys composers like Sergei Rachmaninoff, Sergei Prokofiev, and Gustav Mahler.

Outside of piano, Zion runs cross-country and track and has been a cellist in his school orchestra for 5 years. Zion has also participated annually in both the Junior Western Regional Orchestra and Senior Western Regionals Orchestra since sixth grade. Currently, Zion is a student of Charlotte Latin School and has participated in many of their clubs including the Junior Classical League, where he has won several awards and has served as team captain. Zion has also served as a senator for his class’ Student Council, where he has helped in the decision and preparation process for school events. Zion’s hobbies include playing chess, reading and occasionally playing video games with his friends.