Award-winning concert pianist Reuel Hon presents a program of works by Cesar Franck, Takashi Yoshimatsu, Minako Tokuyama, and Frederic Chopin. Come witness the beautiful interplay of music by these composers and embark on your journey towards light.
Reuel Hon is a pianist finishing his Graduate Performance Diploma at Longy School of Music of Bard College, studying with Andrius Zlabys. To learn more about the artist and this recital, check below or visit www.reuelhon.com.
In Japanese culture, there is a singular word that doesn’t exist anywhere else: Ikigai – a person’s reason for being. It is a reason that gives us joy and happiness, why we get up from bed every morning, what keeps us going even when no one’s watching. Every person has their own ikigai – and for me, it is my love of music and celebrating and sharing that love of music with people. It reminds me why I choose to be a musician every day, even when life knocks you down and pulls the rug from underneath your feet.
Music for me is a way to bring people to a higher plane of existence: one’s journey to light. Tonight’s program is exactly that – my journey to light, or as said in Japanese: Hikaru no Tabi. The program I’ve chosen for this recital is truest and closest to my heart and is a true reflection of me as a musician of both Asian and Western heritage. I hope that by sharing and celebrating my ikigai, everyone can be one step further on their journey to light.
Reuel Hon is an award-winning concert pianist whose performance career has taken him across the United States, Europe, and Asia. He has won many prizes for his artistry, including 1st Prizes at the Elite, Grand Prize Virtuoso, and the Los Angeles “Golden Classical Music Awards” International Music Competitions, and 2nd Prizes at the Crescendo International Competition and the MTAC Romantic Theme Competition. He was also a finalist of the 2022 Chapman Concerto & Aria Competition, where he performed the Romance from Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1.
Hon has made solo appearances at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, Universität Mozarteum’s Solitär Hall (Austria), Walt Disney Concert Hall’s BP Hall, while also performing for communities in public spaces across the Amalfi Coast (Italy). Most recently in July 2025, he made his Asia debut at the Seoul National University of Education in Seoul, South Korea. Other venues include Chapman University’s Salmon Hall, Oberlin Conservatory’s Warner Hall, Manhattanville College, California State University Fullerton, and more.
In previous years, Hon has attended the Oberlin Piano Festival, Orford Musique, Amalfi Coast Piano Festival, and the Texas State International Piano Festival. He has performed in masterclasses for Michelle Cann, Jerry Wong, Kevin Fitz-Gerald, Bernadene Blaha, Enrico Elisi, Joseph Rackers, Dr. Jason Kwak, Daniel Shapiro, and Victor Rosenbaum. Hon received his B.M. from Chapman University with Dr. Grace Fong, his M.M. from the Longy School of Music of Bard College, where he is currently finishing his Graduate Performance Diploma with Andrius Žlabys.
Second Stage Series
Be part of the excitement as Longy’s developing artists share their ideas, test their creativity, and invite you into their artistic journey. You’ll witness the energy and originality that emerge when musicians explore new possibilities and take bold steps in their growth. Every performance gives you a front-row seat to the making of tomorrow’s artists.
Thanks to our partnership with the Massachusetts Cultural Council and their “Card to Culture” program, Longy School of Music of Bard College can offer free tickets to many of our diverse and innovative performance offerings. See the full list of participating “Card to Culture” organizations offering EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare discounts.