Northern Virginia Composer’s Work Returns to Carnegie Hall in April Performance

Reston, VA — Composer and pianist Mason Kaneto Ishida, a Northern Virginia native, will have his music performed at Carnegie Hall on April 28, 2026, marking another milestone in his growing artistic career.

Mason Ishida, a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, studied composition with John Mallia. A Reston native, he dedicated over twenty years to piano studies and first discovered his passion for composition at South Lakes High School under the guidance of IB Music and orchestra teacher Bryan Baldwin.

His compositional process begins at the piano through improvisation, then moves to paper where he develops his ideas and strengthens his audiation practice, before completing his works using piano, MIDI, and digital tools. Reflecting his lifelong dedication to artistry, Ishida once said at the age of five, “You cannot put a schedule on inspiration.”

An internationally recognized talent, Ishida has earned top honors in multiple competitions, including Gold at the Global Young Musicians Competition in Gdańsk, Gold at the Mozart International Music Competition, and Platinum at the Fenix International Competition. He has also been named Classical Stars International Artist of the Season and Outstanding Laureate of the World’s Best Musicians Competition.

Most recently, on April 16, 2026, Ishida received a Platinum Award and the title of Laureate in the Ravel Award International Music Competition for his works Dance of Frustration and An Exaggeration for piano, further highlighting his continued artistic achievements

On November 25, 2025, his orchestral work An Exaggeration for Chamber Orchestra received its world premiere during the Sound Espressivo Laureate Gala. The performance, led by conductor David Wroe with pianist Jennifer Savage and the Manhattan Orchestra, marked his debut at Carnegie Hall through an international initiative dedicated to supporting emerging classical artists. The opportunity followed outreach from Dr. Anna Ouspenskaya, who connected with Ishida to introduce the project.

Now, on April 28, 2026, his music will return to Carnegie Hall, where pianist Joanna Chow will perform his original piano work Dance of Frustration at Weill Recital Hall. Chow, 24, has spent the past two years studying under Dr. Anna Ouspenskaya, developing her artistry with renewed focus and preparing for a career as a performing artist. Known for her sensitivity and expressive depth, she brings both strength and nuance to her interpretations.

This performance highlights a collaboration between two artists connected through Northern Virginia’s musical community, bringing contemporary works by living composers to one of the world’s most renowned stages.