ARISTO SHAM, an up-and-coming pianist from Hong Kong, will give a recital at the Guangming Culture and Art Center this Saturday, inviting audiences to indulge in an evening of world-class piano artistry. At the 17th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition that concluded in June, Sham stood out from 28 pianists selected to compete, winning the gold medal and becoming the second Chinese pianist to claim the top prize. He also received the Carla and Kelly Thompson Audience Award, which was decided by more than 9,000 audience votes. Established in 1962, the Cliburn Competition is recognized as one of the world’s most prestigious piano contests. Sham’s upcoming Shenzhen performance is part of his global tour following his victory. Sham was featured in “The World’s Greatest Musical Prodigies,” a 2009 documentary series broadcast on Channel 4 in the U.K. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s in music through a dual-degree program between Harvard University and the New England Conservatory, and later pursued further studies at the Ingesund School of Music in Sweden and the Julliard School. Hailed by The New York Times as an artist “whose playing combines clarity, elegance and abundant technique,” Sham has won top prizes at competitions such as the 2018 Young Concert Artists International Auditions and the 2023 Monte-Carlo Music Masters. He has performed for royalty including King Charles, and collaborated with orchestras such as the Minnesota Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the English Chamber Orchestra, the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra, and the Utah Symphony. Time: 8 p.m., Nov. 15 Venue: Guangming Culture and Art Center, Guangming District (光明區光明文化藝術中心) Metro: Line 6 to Fenghuang Town Station (鳳凰城站), Exit B(SD News) | 