13-Year-Old Dubai Expat Wins Gold At Italian, US Piano Competitions

With a flair for western classical pieces, Dubai-based teenage pianist Prapti Rajguru has carved a niche of her own as the only Indian to have consistently achieved podium finishes across competitions in the UAE.

Now the 13-year-old has transcended the barriers further with back-to-back first prizes at prestigious events in the US and Italy.

Last July, Prapti claimed the top prize at the Washington International Rachmaninoff Music Competition in New York and also earned the honour of performing solo at the iconic Carnegie Hall in Manhattan.

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Then on November 30, Prapti won the Premio Bruno Mezzena Competition in Montesilvano (Italy) - a week before her performance in the Scriabin Concert Series in Grosseto.

Winning two international events abroad has now fuelled Prapti's ambitions to become the first globally recognised Indian concert pianist.

“Even though I've been performing in concerts and competitions for a few years now, stepping onto a stage still comes with a fair amount of nerves, especially when it's in a completely new part of the world,” Prapti told Khaleej Times of her experience of performing on foreign shores for the first time.

“Winning the Washington International Rachmaninoff Music Competition was very special as it was my very first onstage international competition. Then the opportunity to perform at the world-famous Carnegie Hall in New York at the winner's recital was the icing on the cake. It's a dream for countless aspiring musicians like me to perform at that venue, and I feel blessed to have lived that dream.”

Prapti is also proud of winning the top award in Europe, the home of Western classical music.

“In Italy, participating in the Premio Bruno Mezzena Competition in Montesilvano and performing in the Scriabin Concert Series in Grosseto were particularly meaningful because they marked my first competition and concert appearances in Europe,” she said.

“The atmosphere, the musicians, and the audiences were all new to me, and the experience was incredibly enriching. Winning an award there and seeing the audience connect with my music made every hour of practice feel worthwhile. Moments like these fuel my passion and motivate me to keep pushing myself as a performer."

Having earned awards and accolades abroad, the rising star is now hoping to perform at other major international events in Europe.

“I truly hope 2026 brings more opportunities to learn and perform internationally,” she said.

“One event I am especially excited about is the Verbier Festival in Switzerland. It brings together many of the world's leading pianists, and being in that environment, attending masterclasses and watching extraordinary performers up close would be an invaluable experience.”

Prapti understands that top-tier events in Europe offer young musicians wonderful opportunities to learn from some of the best contemporary classical artists.

“I am also looking at participating in competitions in Germany, where the classical music tradition is extremely strong and competitive,” she said.

“Being exposed to such high-level musicianship would push me further, help me understand where I stand internationally, and give me the chance to learn from incredible artists from across the world.”

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