Marius Kleinhuizen

Piano Soloist, Young Artists Competition Winner 2026

Marius Kleinhuizen, 13, from Maple Grove, Minnesota, is homeschooled and the oldest of six children. He began studying piano at the age of 6 as a school subject in the home. After he heard the Turkish March by Mozart for the first time, it became his favorite as a young student and inspired his practice. At the age of nine, Marius’ teacher told him he could begin learning the piece, and he went home and had it memorized in less than two days! From then on, piano became a significant passion for him. Marius has been blessed with excellent teachers over his seven years of study and is currently under the tutelage of Dr. Brian Billion who has helped him develop a great sense of the depth of beauty and expression in music.

Marius and his siblings have performed around the metro area in retirement homes and concert series to help bring the joy of music to others; and he is incredibly excited to be making his orchestral debut with the Dakota Valley Symphony after earning top prize in their 2026 Concerto Competition. Marius is relatively new to the piano competition scene and has placed in all the competitions he has entered thus far, including 2nd in the Saint Paul Piano Teacher’s Association Concerto Competition in 2025, and Honorable Mentions in the Minneapolis Music Teachers Forum Mozart Piano Concerto Competition and the State Round of the Music Teachers National Association Competition in 2025.

In addition to his love for piano, Marius is very passionate about baseball, history, mathematics, and especially his huge collection of board games! But most of all, Marius loves his Catholic Faith, altar serving, and reading about the history of the Church and the great Saints who witnessed to the love of Jesus Christ. He is inspired by the faith of many of the Great Composers and how it guided their lives and their music. Someday, Marius wants to be a ‘Professional Pianist Priest,’ drawing from the inspiration of Johann Sebastian Bach, who said, ‘The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.’