Turkish pianist ranks third in international piano contest

Eren Yahsi, an instructer at Turkey's Anadolu University State Conservatory, came in third among 2,500 pianists in the "World Pianist Invitational" contest organized in the US capital of Washington. Yahsi received third place in "Graduate musicians ages 22-29 years" category of a world premier international classical piano competition, World Pianist Invitational, where he played live on stage at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Starting his piano lessons at the age of 7 in Turkey's western Balikesir province, Yahsi continued his education in Anadolu University State Conservatory since 1995 and has received many awards in national contests. "When I said I was from Turkey, other contestants were really surprised. Turkish pianists are not at the forefront in the world stage. They asked me various questions," Yahsi said. Yahsi added he had attempts to represent Turkey in other competitions.