10 full scholarships for outstanding young South American pianists

The Piracicaba International Piano Festival honors with deep gratitude the memory of Dr. Jovanni-Rey de Pedro (1981–2019), an internationally acclaimed Filipino-American pianist, devoted pedagogue, and visionary philanthropist whose influence left an enduring mark on our musical community.

Jovanni served as teacher and mentor in two editions of the Piracicaba International Piano Festival, as well as in one edition of the Encontro Internacional de Pianistas do Vale do Aço in Timóteo, MG. As the founder of the Mélange International Music Foundation — a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching lives and uniting communities through music education — he firmly believed in the power of music to build bridges across cultures and generations. The foundation proudly sponsored previous editions of our festival and continues to support young musicians in vulnerable situations in Uganda, Colombia, Ireland, and Brazil.

When Jovanni passed away suddenly in 2019, he left an immense void — but also a lasting legacy of generosity, artistic excellence, and love for music that continues to inspire us all.

His family, honoring and carrying forward the mission Jovanni devoted his life to building, continues to lead the Mélange International Music Foundation. Each year, in his name, his family and the foundation support South American pianists at the EIPIANOPIRA and at other events organized by Pianissimo — Colombia, keeping alive Jovanni's dream that music should be a bridge of opportunity for young talents throughout Latin America.

In his memory, and in partnership with his family and the Mélange IMF, the festival establishes this scholarship to carry forward his mission: to open doors for young talents who, as he believed, have the power to change the world through music.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• South American pianists between the ages of 10 and 25

• Advanced level pianists with a demonstrated history of serious and dedicated study

• Full availability throughout the entire festival: July 25–29

• Mandatory participation in all festival activities: masterclasses, recitals, lectures, and pedagogical sessions

• Performance in the closing recital on July 29 at Teatro Dr. Losso Netto in Piracicaba

WHAT THE SCHOLARSHIP COVERS

• Full festival registration — complete access to all activities, masterclasses, recitals, and lectures throughout the five days of the event

Applications open until July 1, 2026 – scholarship announcement on July 3

ABOUT DR. JOVANNI-REY DE PEDRO

Dr. Jovanni-Rey de Pedro

1981 – 2019

Born in California into a family of musicians with over a century of musical heritage, Jovanni-Rey de Pedro built an international career as a concert pianist, pedagogue, researcher, and philanthropist. Holding degrees from the Vienna Conservatory, Trinity College of Music in London, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Michigan, Jovanni performed on stages across five continents — from the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York to St. Martin-in-the-Fields in London and the Eroica-Saal in Vienna. His repertoire spanned Viennese classical and German Romantic works to Latin American music and contemporary compositions, having commissioned or premiered over 16 new works throughout his career. An award-winning teacher and mentor to generations of young pianists, Jovanni believed that musical excellence and social commitment were inseparable.

That conviction led him to found the Mélange International Music Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching lives and uniting communities through diverse musical experiences, with a special focus on the education of children and youth in vulnerable situations. Throughout his life, he helped raise over $100,000 for dozens of civic and cultural organizations across multiple countries. He participated as teacher and mentor in two editions of the Piracicaba International Piano Festival and in one edition of the Encontro Internacional de Pianistas do Vale do Aço in Timóteo, MG — leaving in every student the mark of his generosity, artistic rigor, and infectious enthusiasm. His sudden passing in 2019 cut short a life entirely devoted to music and to people — but his legacy lives on in the hands of his family, the Mélange IMF, and every pianist who had the privilege of learning from him.