Rufus Choi is your typical virtuoso. He is a graduate of the esteemed Juilliard School in New York and went on to attain the Soloklassen, the highest degree offered at the Musik Hochschule in Hannover, Germany, arguably the best piano institution in the world. A professional pianist by trade, Choi jets around the globe competing in world-class piano competitions.

On June 23, the 30-year-old took it to another level by winning the $50,000 grand prize in the inaugural launch of the Jose Iturbi International Music Competition held at the University of California, Los Angeles. The contest lasted six days and offered the highest cash award among all international piano competitions.

Playing in front of a panel of three judges, Choi navigated through three grueling rounds of competition to beat out 22 other accomplished pianists from 14 different countries.

Choi says that one of the driving forces behind his performances is making sure that the audience leaves with an experience. “That’s what makes things so special,” says the Los Angeles native. “If I haven’t done that, I feel that, as an artist, I haven’t done my job or duty.” True to form, he also won the People’s Choice Award, which bagged him an additional $10,000.

—   Chris Paek