A Celebrated Voice of Lyricism: Sophia Ran’s Artistry in Schumann’s Concerto
- WOMCO
- Dec 8
- 5 min read
Young pianist from Canada, Xinyi (Sophia) Ran, has received the Platinum Prize and the Outstanding Technique Special Award in the Concerto category for her performance of Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor with the Burlington New Millennium Orchestra (BNMO) at the Schubert International Music Competition 2025 Season 3. The season ran from June 23 to September 23, 2025, with results announced in October.
With this remarkable achievement, we invited Sophia to share the story behind her award-winning performance, her artistic choices in approaching the Schumann concerto, and her experience collaborating with the orchestra.
Could you share the background of your award-winning video performance Schumann Piano Concerto in A Minor? When and where did you record it, and how did you choose the repertoire?
Xinyi (Sophia) Ran:
"My video performance of the Schumann Piano Concerto in A Minor was recorded in April this year in Toronto. I chose this concerto because it has always felt very close to my musical personality. I love repertoire that is lyrical, warm, and emotionally sincere, and the Schumann concerto blends poetry and intensity in a way that resonates deeply with me.
When preparing the work, I focused especially on shaping long musical lines and the conversational nature between the piano and orchestra. Even during the recording, I felt immersed in Schumann’s world—intimate, expressive, and full of heartfelt dialogue."
Could you talk to us about your collaboration with the orchestra and conductor for the video performance, and share any memorable moments from the rehearsals?
Xinyi (Sophia) Ran:
"For this performance, I had the privilege of collaborating with the Burlington New Millennium Orchestra (BNMO). Performing with an orchestra is completely different from playing solo: the dialogue between piano and orchestra, the shared energy, and the subtle communication in phrasing and timing created a unique musical experience.
This collaboration deepened my appreciation for orchestral performance. It was truly inspiring, and it encouraged me to explore more concerto opportunities. This year, I am preparing a very special project—the Yellow River Piano Concerto—and I hope to have more chances to perform with orchestras like BNMO in the future."
Receiving the Outstanding Technique Special Award highlights the distinctive quality of your performance. In what ways have your long-term technical studies, interpretive choices, and practice philosophies shaped the level of outstanding technique you demonstrated on stage?
Xinyi (Sophia) Ran:
"I’m truly grateful for this recognition. For me, technique has always been more than speed or power—it’s about color, flexibility, and the ability to express emotion without limitation.
Over the years, my teachers have emphasized three core ideas in my technical training:
Tone production — developing a warm, singing sound through controlled weight and arm movement.
Balanced coordination — building efficient technique that allows freedom and reduces tension.
Musical intention — shaping technique around the expressive needs of the piece rather than practicing mechanics in isolation.
I also try to keep my practice thoughtful rather than repetitive: listening carefully to the sound I produce, experimenting with touch, and always returning to the emotional meaning behind each phrase. I believe this mindset helped shape the technical quality that was reflected in my performance."
Could you talk to us about yourself, your journey in music, and your future goals?
Xinyi (Sophia) Ran:
"I began learning piano and voice at a young age, and music quickly became an essential part of my life. I am especially drawn to composers like Chopin, Schumann, and Rachmaninoff—composers who write with deep lyricism and emotional honesty.
Throughout the past few years, I have participated in various competitions, festivals, and ensemble opportunities. Each experience has taught me something different—confidence, patience, teamwork, and the joy of sharing music with others.
Looking ahead, I hope to continue growing as a pianist and musician. I want to explore more collaborative work, learn new repertoire, and eventually contribute to musical communities both locally and internationally."
Would you like to share your experience participating in our competition and anyone you'd like to thank?
Xinyi (Sophia) Ran:
"Participating in this competition has been inspiring and rewarding. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my music with listeners around the world.
I would like to thank my teachers for their guidance, my family for their constant support, and everyone involved in organizing this event. Their encouragement allows me to focus fully on expressing myself through music."
Biography
Xinyi (Sophia) Ran, aged 15, began her musical journey at the age of five by taking vocal and piano lessons. She currently studies piano and voice under the guidance of Dr. Charlene Pauls and Dr. Michael Berkovsky, respectively. She holds ARCT and LRCM diplomas in Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music.
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She has earned numerous first-place awards and top scholarships in regional, national, and international piano and voice competitions. Her accomplishments include top prizes at the Beijing Piano Festival, Rose Bowl Prize at the Peel Music Festival, Oakville Vocal Arts Festival, North York Music Festival, Hamilton Music Festival, Guelph Kiwanis Music Festival, Unionville Music Competition, OMFA Provincial Finals (First Place in Classical Voice, First Place in Classical Piano Duet, Second Place in Piano ARCT Level, Third Place in Piano Concerto, etc.), the Canada International Music Festival and Competition, CCC Toronto International Music Festival, and the FCMF National Music Festival. She is also the Platinum Prize Winner of the Schubert International Music Competition (UK).
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She has performed at many notable venues, including Brampton’s Rose Theatre, the Mississauga Living Arts Centre, Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, the Burlington Performing Arts Centre in Canada, and Markham Cornell Recital Hall, Fairview Theatre, Collingwood Breaker House, as well as the Beijing Music Theatre and Zhongshan Concert Hall in China. In the summer of 2024, she successfully presented a solo piano recital in Toronto. Most recently, in April 2025, she performed Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A Minor with the Burlington New Millennium Orchestra.
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In May 2025, she was honored with the Youth Artist Award by the Town of Oakville and performed as a vocalist at the award ceremony at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts.
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Beyond piano and voice, Sophia is a passionate and versatile performer within her community. She plays the oboe in her school band and regularly participates in school and community events as a pianist, vocalist, dancer, master of ceremonies, and event organizer.
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In addition to her musical pursuits, Sophia has demonstrated excellence in debate, mathematics, and writing. She is a champion and top speaker in provincial and national debate competitions, including the 2025 McMaster High School Debate Tournament, 2025 Ontario Student Debate Union Provincial Championships and the Junior National Debating Championships. She has earned awards in mathematics competitions such as Grey Jay, CIMC, and AMC. As a writer, Sophia has been published in Toronto Public Library Young Voices magazine and Polar Expressions Publishing, and has delivered speeches at the Young Voices magazine launch event.