1st Ritmüller Indonesia National Piano Competition
We are proud to introduce the distinguished panel of judges for the Elimination Round of the 1st Ritmüller Indonesia National Piano Competition. With a wealth of teaching and performance experience, each juror brings depth, fairness, and musical insight to this important stage of the competition.
🎹 Sucarita Lim
Pianist | Educator | Member of the American College of Musicians
Sucarita Lim is a classical pianist and dedicated music educator with over nine years of experience in piano instruction. She completed her piano studies up to Grade 8 with the London College of Music and is a proud member of the American College of Musicians (ACM)—an organization committed to upholding high standards in music education and performance.
Her teaching approach is rooted in a thoughtful balance of technical foundation and expressive musicality. She places strong emphasis on proper technique, tone production, and interpretative skills, while also nurturing each student’s individual musical voice. Under her guidance, students are consistently well-prepared for ACM examinations, often achieving distinctions, and have garnered top awards in a range of national and international piano competitions.
Beyond teaching, Ms. Lim is also recognized for her role as an adjudicator. She brings to the judging panel a reputation for clarity, fairness, and insightful feedback. Her evaluations reflect a deep understanding of musical artistry and pedagogy, aimed not only at assessment but also at encouraging continued growth among aspiring pianists.
Through her combined work as a teacher and adjudicator, Sucarita Lim continues to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of piano education in her community and beyond.
🎹 Melanie Chairil
Pianist | Educator | Member of the American College of Musicians
Melanie Chairil is a seasoned piano educator whose teaching career spans nearly four decades. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Houston Baptist University, Texas, and has dedicated her life to developing young musicians with technical precision and expressive depth.
Since becoming a member of the American College of Musicians (ACM) in 1997, Melanie has remained an active figure in the international piano education community. Her students are known for their consistent achievements, earning high distinctions in ACM exams and winning awards in numerous local and international piano competitions. Her commitment to nurturing musical excellence has shaped generations of pianists, many of whom have gone on to pursue music at higher levels.
From 2012 to 2018, she worked closely with Professor Julia Kruger, Vice President of the ACM, in coordinating and promoting ACM audition seminars throughout Indonesia. This initiative helped raise the standard of piano pedagogy across the country and provided valuable exposure for Indonesian students and teachers to international-level assessments.
As a respected adjudicator, Melanie has served on the jury of various national and international piano competitions, including the International Piano Festival in Cepina, Italy. Her refined musical judgment and supportive feedback have made her a valued judge among both peers and participants.
Since 2015, she has also been an invited judge for the National Piano Guild Auditions in the United States, further solidifying her global presence in the world of piano education. Her dedication, integrity, and expertise continue to inspire students and teachers alike across continents.
🎹 Jenny Sumono, M.Mus
Pianist | Educator
Jenny Sumono is a highly accomplished Indonesian pianist, educator, and mentor, known for her exceptional artistry and dedication to advancing piano education. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Nommensen HKBP University, Indonesia, and earned her Master of Music in Piano Performance (Cum Laude) from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), USA.
During her graduate studies at CSULB, Jenny was privileged to study under distinguished professors who were direct protégés of legendary pianists such as Leon Fleisher, Menahem Pressler, and Rosalyn Tureck. This prestigious musical lineage has profoundly influenced her own teaching and performance philosophy, combining technical rigor with interpretative depth and historical awareness.
Her academic excellence and musical achievements were recognized through several honors, including induction into Phi Kappa Phi (a national academic honor society), Pi Kappa Lambda (a national music honor society), and the Women’s Music Club of Long Beach Scholarship—awards that underscore her outstanding contributions as both a scholar and performer.
Jenny previously served as Head of the Piano Department at Nommensen University, where she played a key role in shaping curriculum and mentoring a new generation of Indonesian pianists. Currently, she is the Director of Vivo Music, where she continues to champion high-quality music education through innovative teaching, faculty development, and performance opportunities for students.
Beyond the classroom, Jenny is a respected clinician, teacher trainer, and competition juror, frequently invited to share her expertise at workshops, festivals, and competitions across Indonesia and internationally. Her deep musical insight, pedagogical clarity, and passion for excellence make her a sought-after figure in the Southeast Asian music community and beyond.
🎹 Mr. Francis Masnayon, DipLCM(TD)
Head of Piano Department
Mr. Francis Masnayon is a highly respected pianist and educator with over 26 years of teaching experience. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano from the University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music and a Teaching Diploma in Piano from the London College of Music (DipLCM(TD)).
As Head of the Piano Department at Big Ben Music Indonesia, Mr. Francis leads curriculum development, mentors faculty, and oversees student performance standards. Known for his structured yet inspiring approach, he has guided countless young pianists to develop solid technique, musical artistry, and stage confidence. His students have consistently achieved distinction in both examinations and competitions.
Mr. Francis has also served as a judge for numerous piano competitions at regional and national levels. He is recognized for his fair and insightful evaluations, offering constructive feedback that supports the artistic growth of each performer.
As a performer, he represented the Batangas Province in the Yamaha Concert Tour in 1996, marking an early highlight in his musical career. Today, Mr. Francis continues to contribute actively to the music education community as a mentor, performer, and adjudicator.
🎹 Ms. Michelle Bok, DipLCM(TD)
Pianist | Educator
Ms. Michelle Bok is a passionate and dedicated piano educator with a strong commitment to nurturing musical growth in her students. She holds a Teaching Diploma from the London College of Music and completed her music studies at UCSI University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. With a teaching style that blends technical precision and expressive interpretation, she helps students build a solid foundation while developing their own artistic voice.
Throughout her musical journey, Ms. Michelle has been an active performer and competitor. She has completed ABRSM Grades 1 to 8 in piano, and has consistently performed in annual piano concerts since she began her musical training. Her achievements include winning 2nd place in a national piano competition in Indonesia (2009–2011) and 3rd place in a piano competition in Malaysia (2016). In addition to solo performances, she has also participated in piano duet and chamber music ensembles across Malaysia.
Through her teaching, Ms. Michelle continues to inspire a deep love for music, guiding her students toward excellence in both technique and expression.
🎹 Mr. Hever Torres, BM
Pianist | Educator
Mr. Hever Torres is a passionate and approachable music educator specializing in piano and voice. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC) in the Philippines. With a student-centered philosophy, Mr. Torres believes in nurturing not only technical skill but also creativity, confidence, and the art of musical storytelling. His warm, encouraging teaching style has made him a favorite among students, helping them thrive both musically and personally.
He brings with him a wealth of teaching and performance experience, having served on the faculty of Musikademy Davao City and the UIC College of Music. As a pianist, accompanist, and vocalist, Mr. Torres has performed in various prestigious events including the WCD Philippines Festival, the UIC Annual and Mati-UIC Concerts, as well as numerous private and academic recitals. In addition to his classical training, he is also an accomplished keyboardist and has earned first-place awards in two major regional band competitions—demonstrating his versatility across both classical and contemporary genres.
Continuously committed to his growth as an artist and educator, Mr. Torres has attended masterclasses with notable musicians such as Dr. Abram John Alontaga and Mr. Michael Richard Antonio Lopez. He remains dedicated to inspiring his students and sharing his love for music through both performance and teaching.
