By PAUL HORSLEY
The Kansas City Star
June 3, 2007
Slava Levin, an Overland Park Internet technology manager, reached the finals of the Van Cliburn Foundation’s amateur piano competition in Fort Worth, Texas, today.
The 51-year-old Russian-born pianist was one of six selected from a field of 121 entries. The International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs showcases talented pianists from around the world who make their living in areas other than music.
Seventy-five contestants competed in the preliminary round, from which 25 semi-finalists were chosen to compete for the six finalists spots.
This year’s contestants ranged in age from 36 to 77 and drew from a wide range of professions. Levin, who trained at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, is co-director of Rolling Thunder Systems, an independent software company.
His wife, Lena, also a pianist, was on hand to turn pages for her husband during the early rounds of the competition. Today, Levin performed two works by Schumann for the finals.
Drew Mays, an ophthalmologist from Birmingham, Ala., won first prize. Second place went to Arizona attorney Mark Fuller, third to retired information specialist Clark Griffith.
To reach Paul Horsley, call 816-234-4764 or send e-mail to phorsley@kcstar.com
