Mastering the Science of Sound
Benjamin’s story with the piano began a little later than most, starting his lessons at age ten with Dr. Olga Chichova. However, he made up for lost time with incredible speed. In just five years, he reached the highest level of the Royal Conservatory, earning his ARCT Performers Diploma at age 15.
A World-Class Talent
Benjamin soon began traveling and competing on some of the world’s most prestigious stages. His hard work led to a string of impressive wins:
First Place: American Protégé International Music Competition.
First Place: Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition in London.
Third Place: The Canadian Music Competition in 2018.
Every year, Ben returned to local festivals, consistently winning prizes and scholarships that fueled his passion for the keys.
Precision in the Lab and at the Keys
When it came time for university, Benjamin chose to challenge himself both artistically and scientifically. He attended Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), where he took on the difficult task of double-majoring in Materials Science Engineering and Physics.
Even with a heavy science workload, he never let go of his music. He earned a minor in piano performance and continued to refine his skills under the guidance of Tanya Gelman.
Reaching New Heights
Today, Benjamin is still at Carnegie Mellon, but now he is pushing the boundaries of science even further. He is currently a PhD candidate, working toward his Doctorate in Materials Science and Engineering.
Whether he is researching the future of technology or playing a complex piece of music, Benjamin’s journey shows that with enough dedication, you can master both the art and the science of the world.
