<\/p>\n
An Allan Hancock College piano\u00a0faculty member\u00a0is taking her talents to one of the world\u2019s most prestigious stages after winning an international music competition\u00a0with a fellow musician.<\/p>\n
Hancock\u2019s Adea\u00a0Badivuku, alongside Santa Barbara-based violist\u00a0and composer\u00a0Deniz\u00a0Caglarcan,\u00a0recently\u00a0earned first prize at the Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition in New York, securing a performance at Carnegie Hall\u00a0on July 8.<\/p>\n
For\u00a0Badivuku, who has performed internationally and previously appeared at Carnegie Hall, the recognition still carries deep meaning.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt felt incredibly exciting and very rewarding,\u201d\u00a0Badivuku\u00a0said. \u201cAs performers, we dedicate so much time to preparation and refining every detail, so receiving\u00a0first\u00a0prize was a very meaningful moment. Even though I have performed at Carnegie Hall before, every opportunity to return feels special.\u201d<\/p>\n
Originally from Kosovo,\u00a0Badivuku\u00a0brings a global perspective to her work at Hancock, where she has taught applied piano, piano lab, and ensemble coaching for\u00a0nearly a\u00a0year. She continues to actively perform while\u00a0teaching;\u00a0something she says is essential to both her growth and her students\u2019 success.<\/p>\n
Her collaboration with\u00a0Caglarcan, with whom she has been performing for several years, grew out of a shared passion for performance and a desire to return to the stage together.<\/p>\n
\u201cEntering the competition felt like a natural step for us,\u201d she said. \u201cWe were excited to challenge ourselves artistically and share our work with a wider audience.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n