Congratulations to Bethlehem Central High School junior, William Lauricella who won first place in the 2022 Capital District Council for Young Musicians’ Annual Chopin Piano Competition.

The CDCYM’s annual competition sees 25-30 of the finest young pianists, ages 10-17, in the Greater Capital region compete. The prestigious event draws its judges from the faculties of upstate NY colleges and universities. Each competitor performs a piece by Frederic Chopin, prizes are awarded in three categories: Novice, Apprentice, and Master;. William took first place, winning $1,000 with his performance of Chopin’s “Ballade in G Minor, Op. 23, No. 1”, at the Master’s Level.

Lauricella is both an accomplished pianist and percussionist. He’s spent the past six years performing as a member of the Empire State Youth Orchestra’s percussion ensemble and Symphony Orchestra. He won the ESYO’s 2020 Concerto Competition for piano. He’s also been a part of the distinguished Juilliard and Manhattan School of Music pre-college programs for the past three years for both piano and percussion.

At BC, he is a percussionist with the high school’s Wind Ensemble as well as the orchestra. He played the timpani in the pit orchestra for the High School’s 2022 performance of Les Miserables, and has performed as pianist with the Chorale.