Concertino in C: Young Composer Pianist Landon Kroon on Inspiration, Collaboration, and the Joy of Creation
- WOMCO
- 4 hours ago
- 6 min read
Landon Kroon, a young pianist and composer from the Torrance Yamaha Music School in the United States, earned the Absolute First Prize in the Chamber Music category at the 2025 Season 3 Vivaldi International Music Competition for his original composition Concertino in C. The performance was presented through a video recording, featuring Landon on piano, with Adam Bhatia on trumpet and Clement Chow on cello. The competition took place from June 19 to September 19, 2025, with results announced on October 8, 2025. Inspired by meaningful experiences and international connections, Landon later opened up about the journey of composing Concertino in C and the emotions woven into the music.
Could you please introduce your award-winning composition Concertino in C? When and under what circumstances was it composed? Could you share the inspiration behind the composition and the message you hope to convey through it?
Landon Kroon:
"I started working on this composition in the fall of 2024. At the time, I wanted to create a celebratory piece that captured the honor and pride I felt when I performed at the Yamaha Gala Concert in Tokyo the year before, representing Yamaha Music USA.
I continued developing the piece after returning from my performance at the Yamaha International Highlight Concert in Malaysia in January 2025. There, I met many talented music students from around the world, each representing their own country, and I realized that they must have shared the same feelings I did. As I continued working on the piece, it evolved into a composition that celebrates our collective accomplishments and expresses gratitude to our families, friends, and teachers who supported us along the way. I hope listeners can feel the joy and sense of celebration and our gratitude in this music, and share in the pride of what we’ve achieved together."
We’ve heard your composition as a video recorded performance. Could you tell us a bit about the musicians you worked with, and how you collaborated with them? Were there any memorable moments during the process?
Landon Kroon:
"My co-performers are Adam Bhatia (trumpet) and Clement Chow (cello). I’ve worked with Clement before on my previous composition, En Garde. Prêts? Allez! This was my first time working with Adam. I met both of them through Yamaha Music USA.
I learned a lot from our collaboration, especially since they have many more years of experience than I do. They shared so much of their expertise on how to make my music and performance even better. We recorded this piece at Tom Zink’s sound studio. I’ve been working with Tom since my very first composition when I was eight years old."
Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey in music, for example the schools you’ve studied at, the teachers who have guided you, and how long you’ve been studying, as well as your goals for the future?
Landon Kroon:
"I have been a student at the Torrance Yamaha Music School since I was four years old, studying under Ms. Jun Kurasako. When I was seven, I was invited to join the merit-based Yamaha Junior Original Composition program and began studying composition with Ms. Laurie Merchant, with whom I continue to study today.
Since then, I have received multiple Superior Performance and Composition Awards, represented Yamaha Music USA at the International Highlight Concerts in Tokyo and Malaysia, and won both the Music Teachers National Association Composition Competition and the Music Teachers Association of California Composition Competition.
I recently joined the Colburn School and start studying under Ms. HyeJin Kim to sharpen my performance skills. I plan to continue studying and creating music in the future while developing my voice as both a performer and a composer."
What did a typical day of practice look like for you, and how did your family support your passion? How do you manage your time between training and schoolwork?
Landon Kroon:
"I practice piano whenever and wherever I can. Typically, I practice after school, in between my studying, piano lessons, and sports activities. I would listen and read the music notes of any new pieces I’m studying in the car on the drive to and from my school and lessons. I have perfect pitch so that helps a lot with my music study.
One of the most valuable things I’ve learned from years of piano lessons is how to prioritize and focus on quality over quantity. For example, on days when I have a lot of homework or tests, I focus on those first before practicing piano. When I have a recital or piano competition coming up, I prioritize and dedicate more time to practice leading up to it. All my piano teachers have taught me that a 10-minute quality practice is better than an hour of 'so-so' practice. I’ve tried to apply this same mindset to my studying and sports training as well. So far, these skills have helped me do well in all my activities.
I don’t think I could accomplish as much or perform as well without the support of the people around me. I’m very lucky to have my family, my school and piano teachers, and my friends who continuously believe in me and support me in every way they can. I’m especially thankful for my teachers, who are very understanding when I miss school or assignments because of my music commitments. Without their support, I wouldn’t have been able to excel in music as much as I have."
Would you like to share your experience participating in our competition and anyone you'd like to thank?
Landon Kroon:
"I’m grateful to the Vivaldi International Music Competition for giving me the opportunity to share my music worldwide. I want to thank my parents and my brother for always supporting me in everything I do, and my teachers for teaching me invaluable skills and believing in me. I’m also very thankful to all my friends and the whole Yamaha Music family for their continuous support."
Biography
LANDON KROON (14)
Classically trained pianist Landon Kroon, 14, has been a dedicated student at the Torrance Yamaha Music School since the age of four. At seven, he was invited to join the prestigious, merit-based Yamaha Junior Original Composition (JOC) program, where he began honing his creative voice as a composer. Since then, his original works and piano performances have earned him numerous accolades, including multiple Superior Young Composer Awards and Superior Performer Awards from Yamaha Music USA, the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), the Music Teachers’ Association of California (MTAC), the Torrance Council of PTAs, and several California Congressional Districts.
Landon’s journey into the spotlight as a composer began at just eight years old, when he was chosen as the youngest performer at the 2020 Yamaha Highlight Concert at the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) in Anaheim. Since that debut, he has performed across the U.S. and internationally, with appearances at the Yamaha USA Highlight Concert, International Highlight Concerts, and the JOC 50th Anniversary Special Spotlight Concert. He also performed for the Japanese Consulate General at the 90th Anniversary of Nichi Bei Fujin Kai, a celebration of friendship and cultural understanding between the United States and Japan.
In September 2023, he made history as the only international performer in over a decade to appear at the prestigious Yamaha Gala Concert in Tokyo, where he presented his original three-movement composition En Garde. Prêts? Allez! Inspired by his experience as a competitive fencer, the piece, written for an unusual trio of piano, accordion, and cello, was named the winner of the 2024–2025 MTNA Composition Competition – Junior Division.
In November 2024, Landon was crowned winner of the 10th Annual South Bay’s Got Talent competition in Torrance, CA, for his dynamic performance of his piece It’s Always…, a composition that reflects the personalities of his family members. He later represented the U.S. with this piece at the International Highlight Concert in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in January 2025. It also earned first place at the 2025 MTAC Composers Today State Contest.
Alongside his composition endeavors, Landon continues to build on his repertoire catalog while studying under Ms. HyeJin Kim at the Colburn School. Spreading his love of music, Landon has performed at fundraising events such as the South Bay Fencing Academy Fundraising Gala and the Tulips in Harmony “Send Your Love” Memorial Charity Concert Series, which raise funds to benefit his local and global communities.