Continuing a tradition of presenting outstanding Gilmore Piano Festival artists, the South Haven Performance Series will begin its 2026 Series with a concert by award-winning pianist Elliot Wuu on Saturday, May 9.
The concert will be hosted by Peace Lutheran Church, 06321 Blue Star Memorial Highway in South Haven beginning at 7 p.m.
“Our Performance Series has been privileged to be chosen by the Gilmore Festival as a site to feature their prestigious artists,” said South Haven Performance Series President Bob Linstrom. “Our goal as a Series is to bring exemplary live classical style music to the South Haven community and I can’t think of a better way to launch the 2026 season.”
Pierre van der Westhuizen, Executive and Artistic Director with the Gilmore, shares Linstrom’s enthusiasm. “We are thrilled to collaborate with the South Haven Performance Series to present Gilmore Young Artist Elliot Wuu as part of the 2026 Gilmore International Piano Festival,” van der Westhuizen stated. “Elliot represents the extraordinary artistry and promise that defines the future of classical piano, and this partnership allows us to share that brilliance with even more communities. Opportunities like this deepen our mission to celebrate and support young artists while expanding the reach of the Festival. We are deeply grateful to everyone involved in making this concert possible in South Haven.”
Praised for his “power, speed, and finesse of artists twice his age” (Tribune Star), Young Steinway Artist Elliot Wuu captivates audiences with his vibrant tone and emotional depth. Named a 2018 Gilmore Young Artist, Elliot has garnered top prizes in international competitions, including the Hilton Head International Piano Competition and the Yamaha and Bösendorfer USASU International Piano Competition. Most recently, he is a laureate of the 2025 American Pianists Awards.
Elliot has performed in major venues across the US, France, Italy, Germany, the UK, Poland, Romania, and China. His notable appearances include performances at Carnegie Hall, the United Nations Headquarters, WQXR’s Greene Space in New York, and Foundation Louis Vuitton in Paris. Other notable concert performances include appearances at the Gilmore International Keyboard Festival, Aspen Festival, Ravinia Festival, La Jolla SummerFest, and many others. Additionally, he has been featured on WQXR’s Young Artists Showcase, Performance Today and NPR’s From the Top.
Born in Fremont, California, Elliot attended the San Francisco Conservatory Pre-College in high school. He went on to earn both his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from The Juilliard School, where he studied with Robert McDonald as a recipient of the Kovner Fellowship. Elliot released his debut album with the Steinway and Sons label in the fall of 2025.
