About
Ralf Bissdorf
Founder of KLB Music Awards
Ralf Bissdorf has harbored the idea of creating a new and unique Music Awards for High School students for several years. Music, sports and the arts have always played a center role in his life.
Like many families, Ralf was exposed to music and sports at a young age. Ralf was introduced to the trombone by his father, Rolf, a seasoned musician with over six decades of experience who still performs at the age of 79. His father’s passion instilled a deep love and appreciation for music in Ralf at a young age, further cultivated as he pursued piano lessons from elementary through high school.
His second passion was sports – fencing. There were times that sport and music intertwined. As a teenager, Ralf has performed and toured Southern Germany in the role of a fencing extra in a production of Verdi’s “Il Trovatore”.
Ralf has won a Silver Medal in Foil Fencing at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, multiple World and European Championship titles both individually and as part of a team, and was formerly No. 1 in world ranking. He is a recipient of the Silver Laurel, awarded by the Federal Republic of Germany for his achievements in sports.
In the aftermath of the Olympic Games, the German Olympic Team with Ralf as a background singer, recorded a Christmas CD for charity which made the Top 100 in the German Billboard Charts.
Ralf worked as a fencing coach in Singapore for 7 years. During that time, he organized a fencing competition which brought together young fencers with world-class fencers. The competition was broadcasted in television in several countries.
Relocating to the United States in 2016, Ralf continued to leave an indelible mark, guiding his students to victory at Cadet and Junior World Championships and facilitating their recruitment by prestigious American colleges. In 2021, he was appointed as the US National Coach for Women’s Foil.
The inception of the Music Awards took root during a visit to Carnegie Hall at the invitation of one of his fencing students, sparking a new chapter in Ralf's journey to merge his passions and provide a platform for young talent in the realm of music.
Bryce Louie
Co-Founder of KLB Music Awards
Bryce Louie, co-founder of The Pan American Music Awards, is fueled by a profound love for classical music, a dedication to inspiring the next generation, and a deep passion for fencing. Hailing from Los Angeles, California, Louie's journey has been accompanied by the melodies of music from a young age.
Growing up in a musical environment, Bryce cherishes memories of family sing-alongs and collaborative musical sessions with his mother on the piano and older brother on the violin. These early experiences laid the groundwork for his commitment to classical music, whether through listening to compositions of Joe Hisaishi or watching performances in musical theater like "Hamilton" and "Dear Evan Hansen."
In addition to his musical pursuits, Bryce Louie has made a mark as one of the youngest elected officials in Los Angeles, serving as the Youth at Large representative for the Historic Cultural North Neighborhood Council. Advocating for nearly fifty-thousand residents across four districts, he finds joy in inspiring the next generation and creating opportunities for them to pursue their passions.
Currently studying at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with concentrations in finance and strategic management, Bryce Louie was recruited due to his passion for fencing. Formerly ranked 2nd in the United States and 9th in the world in the 21-and-under age category, he now holds the 8th position in the open division. Fencing has imparted invaluable life lessons and opportunities, showing Louie that pursuing one's passions opens doors to new possibilities. He aims to create similar transformative opportunities for the next generation.
By combining his passions for politics and fencing, Louie eagerly joined The Pan American Music Awards. Through the opportunity to perform at one of the most prestigious classical music venues, he envisions the next generation being immersed in musical excellence. Louie emphasizes, “By performing on the stage of Carnegie Hall, winners will join an esteemed circle of performers who have had the privilege of showcasing their talents. It's truly remarkable, especially considering that these winners will be making their Carnegie Hall debut at such a young age." Louie hopes this achievement will pave the way for lifelong opportunities in college education, music, or further ignite the next generation's passion for their pursuits. He eagerly anticipates witnessing their achievements, saying, “I wish all the applicants all the best as the embark on this journey for an experience of a lifetime.”.
William Kelly
Co-Founder of KLB Music Awards
William J. Kelly, the co-founder of The Pan American Music Awards, is a multifaceted individual with a passion for classical music and a background in both athletics and business. A classically trained pianist and avid opera and musical enthusiast, William's love for performances like "Hamilton" and "Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons" and being a regular at Segerstrom Center in Costa Mesa, CA, have created his deep appreciation for the arts.
Educated at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics, William's academic career is paralleled by his achievements in foil fencing. At one point, ranked 2nd in the USA and 4th in the world at the junior level, he has traveled with the USA Olympic Team and has earned accolades such as being a 2x Pan American Games Gold medalist and a 5x Junior World Cup Gold Medalist.
Through his love for fencing, he has also found a passion for coaching and fostering the youth. Through combining his love for music and coaching, he is uniquely positioned to be able to contribute to the Pan American Music Awards, especially due to the shared values of music and fencing which creates a deep overlap of talents and passions between the two fields within his students.
With The Pan American Music Awards, William combines his business acumen, love for coaching and passion for classical music to help create a platform for nurturing the next generation. He hopes this event offers young musicians a unique opportunity to showcase their talents and gain recognition in the competitive world of classical music. William's vision for the awards is to foster excellence and celebrate the artistry of young musicians, elevating the standards and appreciation of classical music on a national scale, helping all participants further their careers and life goals in all respects.
