Congratulations to Linda Ruan, winner of this year’s Robert & Ellen Silverman Piano Concerto Competition held on Saturday 26 Sep 2026 at the UBC Old Auditorium. She performed Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with the UBC Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Jonathan Girard.
Second Prize went to Ivy Lin for Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 27, and Third Prize went to Brian Sun for Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5.
(L-R) 1st row: Robert Silverman, Ellen Silverman; 2nd row: Ivy Lin, Linda Ruan, Brian Sun, Daniel Shapiro; 3rd row: Tony Chen Lin, Barrie Barrington, Vinay Parameswaran and Jonathan Girard
The distinguished judging panel — Daniel Shapiro, Vijay Parameswaran, Tony Chen Lin, and Barrie Barrington — praised all three finalists for their beautiful performances at the Final Round Gala.
Reflecting on the experience, Linda shared: “Having the opportunity to play great music with great people… there’s nothing quite like playing with chamber orchestra, where you get the beautiful variety of colours in the orchestra with the intimacy and closeness of chamber music.”
She expressed deep gratitude to Robert & Ellen Silverman for their generosity and support for students, to Dr. Jonathan Girard and Dr. Mark Anderson for their support throughout the competition, as well as to her current teacher Dr. Xak Bjerken and her longtime UBC mentor Dr. Corey Hamm.
Dr. Hedy Law, Director of the UBC School of Music congratulated the finalists on their exceptional performances. “Congratulations to Linda, Ivy, and Brian for your outstanding participation in this year’s piano concerto competition. Your performances truly reflect the strength of the UBC Piano Division. This competition would not have been possible without the generosity of Robert and Ellen Silverman. I hope you will continue to develop your artistry as pianists.”
“Congratulations to Linda, Ivy, and Brian for your outstanding participation in this year’s piano concerto competition. Your performances truly reflect the strength of the UBC Piano Division. This competition would not have been possible without the generosity of Robert and Ellen Silverman. I hope you will continue to develop your artistry as pianists.”
Winner - Robert & Ellen Silverman Piano Concerto Competition Final Gala Performance
Linda Ruan
Robert & Ellen Silverman Piano Concerto Competition Final Gala Performance
(L-R) 1st row: Robert Silverman, Ellen Silverman; 2nd row: Ivy Lin, Linda Ruan, Brian Sun, Daniel Shapiro; 3rd row: Tony Chen Lin, Barrie Barrington, Vinay Parameswaran and Jonathan Girard
Robert & Ellen Silverman Piano Concerto Competition Final Gala Performance
Linda Ruan with the UBC Chamber Orchestra
Second Runner-up - Robert & Ellen Silverman Piano Concerto Competition Final Gala Performance
Brian Sun
Robert & Ellen Silverman Piano Concerto Competition Final Gala Performance
Linda Ruan
First Runner-Up Robert & Ellen Silverman Piano Concerto Competition Final Gala Performance
Ivy Lin
A track record of success
Linda is a top prize winner in competitions including the 2025 Eckhardt-Grammatté National Music Competition, the Lancaster International Piano Competition, the Shean Piano and Strings Competition, and the Seattle International Piano Competition.
She has performed in venues worldwide, from Carnegie’s Weill Hall and Lincoln Center’s Rose Studio to a recital tour in China spanning Guangzhou to Shanghai. Her piano duo La Fiammata won second prize at the 2021 ARD International Music Competition and embarked on a Pan-Canadian Tour during the 2023-2024 season, a collaborative project between Atlantic Debut, Jeunesses Musicales Canada, and Prairie Debut.
Coming home to UBC
A UBC alumna, Linda completed her Diploma in Music Performance Studies (DMPS) at the School of Music in 2025. Returning to campus for the Silverman Competition carried special meaning: “Coming back to UBC this time felt like coming home,” she shared, reflecting on the warm community she grew close to during her time here. She credits much of her growth to her longtime mentor, Dr. Corey Hamm, who she says has been “my biggest supporter since I was in high school.”
“I’m so thankful to the Silvermans for their generosity and support for students, in creating this invaluable experience for us all. Getting into the final round was already a great honour and the ultimate prize for me. Having the opportunity to play great music with great people - in piano lessons, we’re always talking about imitating the colours of other instruments but it’s nothing compared to hearing it live and up close, and to be in conversation together. There’s nothing quite like playing with chamber orchestra, where you get the beautiful variety of colours in the orchestra with the intimacy and closeness of chamber music.”
Congratulations from the UBC Keyboard Division
Dr. Corey Hamm, head of UBC’s Keyboard Division, congratulated all three finalists, adding that “the UBC Keyboard Division was very proud.” He also thanked conductor Jonathan Girard and the UBC Symphony Orchestra for their exceptional performances “considering the short rehearsal time available,” and competition organizer Prof. Mark Anderson for bringing together such a memorable evening.
He especially thanked Robert and Ellen Silverman, noting their “generosity, wisdom, and kindness” without which the competition would not exist.
The Robert & Ellen Silverman Piano Concerto Competition gives UBC’s top piano students the rare opportunity to perform a complete concerto with orchestra in a public concert setting.
All photos by Carlo Santos.
