Nakamatsu Studio Recital
Nakamatsu Studio Recital with Jon Nakamatsu and his students from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music
Student bios available below.
Jon Nakamatsu, internationally renowned pianist and faculty member at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, brings his students to Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church for this special recital, showcasing the artistic talents of the next generation. All will play on the church's Imperial Bosendorfer Grand Piano, known for its deep, resonant sound and projection in large spaces -- an instrument usually only available in concert halls. Students will perform a variety of selections in addition to a performance by Nakamatsu.
"For budding pianists, the most important thing is for them to have performance opportunities to hone their craft," says Nakamatsu. "It kind of transforms them into something more than just students and that's invaluable."
All donations graciously accepted to support the costs of the concert. Thank you!
Jon Nakamatsu's Recital Students
| John Garo Lonergan | |
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Canadian-American pianist John Garo Lonergan is emerging as an increasingly prominent young artist. Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, John began his piano studies at age 6, and completed both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Piano Performance on full scholarship from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music, under the instruction of Craig Richey. He is currently pursuing an Advanced Certificate on scholarship at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, studying with Jon Nakamatsu and Sharon Mann. John has performed in Italy, Germany, Spain, and extensively across the United States in both solo and chamber performances. He frequently is invited to prestigious summer festivals such as the Gijón International Piano Festival, Virtuoso & Belcanto, and the Bowdoin International Music Festival. |
| Michael Groner | |
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Born and raised in Orange County, California, Michael Groner is pursuing his Master ofMusic in Piano at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He has garnered prizes at numerous competitions, including the Seattle International Piano Competition, IAPMT Concours International de Concertos, and Los Angeles International Liszt Competition. He previously attended the University of Southern California for his Bachelor of Music, where he was the 2025 Outstanding Bachelors Graduate. In his free time, Michael enjoys spending time with friends, trying new food, and traveling. |
| Qingcheng Guo | |
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Qingcheng Guo is a Chinese pianist from Beijing and a first-year master's student in Piano Performance at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she studies with Jon Nakamatsu. She was a Semifinalist at the 15th Lyon International Piano Competition (France, 2024) and was selected for the 66th Jaén International Piano Competition (Spain, 2025). She has also received awards in additional international piano and chamber music competitions. Guo has appeared as a concerto soloist and was featured in a nationally televised concert by China Central Television (CCTV), performing Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2. |
| John Kiunke | |
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John Kiunke is a pianist and composer based in Northern California. Starting in Fall2025, he studies with Professor Jon Nakamatsu at the San Francisco Conservatory ofMusic. He previously studied with Professor Richard Cionco at CSU Sacramento, graduating with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance in 2023, receiving the Outstanding Piano Project Award for studying all 48 Preludes and Fugues of Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier. He performs regularly as a soloist, accompanist, chamber musician, and harpsichordist. He enjoys all things music as well as reading, exercising, and spending time with friends and family. |
| Jonathan Ni | |
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Jonathan is from Toronto, Canada. He has participated in the Morningside Music Bridge Festival in 2023, returning as a photo/media intern since 2024. He is a Sophomore and is studying at theSan Francisco Conservatory of Music for a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance with Jon Nakamatsu. Outside of school, he enjoys taking walks and teaching piano. |
| Aleks Shameti | |
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Aleks Shameti is an Albanian pianist studying at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music with professor Jon Nakamatsu. As a soloist, Shameti has garnered success in many competitions such as being awarded the 2025 Rosamund P. Haeberle Memorial Piano Award, winning the University of Michigan’s 2024 Concerto Competition, and placing 1st in the Steinway Piano Competition in Michigan. In Albania, he also performed in an array of concerts and competitions such as “EPTA” in Tirana, “PjetërGaci” in Shkoder, and “Këngët e Tokës” in Ksamil, winning first prizes in the first two, and the Grand Prize in “Këngët e Tokës”. Most recently, Shameti was a finalist at the 2025 Rubato International Piano Competition and participated in the 2025 ChopinNational Piano Competition. |
| Bang Yin | |
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Bang Yin comes from China and graduated from the music middle school affiliate to Shanghai conservatory of music. Now he is an undergraduate student in San Francisco conservatory of Music. |
| Sam Zefreh | |
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Sam embarked on his musical journey at the age of 7 and quickly fell in love with music. When he was 14, he made his solo debut in front of an audience of more than 350 people in Isfahan, Iran. After moving to Canada Sam studied with Colleen Athparia in Calgary and had occasional lessons with Andre Laplante in Montreal. Most recently, he was awarded the RoseBowl at the 2024 Calgary Performing Arts Festival. Sam is a second-year undergraduate at theSan Francisco Conservatory of Music and studies with Jon Nakamatsu and Garrick Ohlsson. |