Kuok Wai Lio

A former winner of the International Institute for Young Musicians contest in Lawrence is returning this weekend for a concert in memory of two former institute volunteers.

Kuok Wai Lio, a China native who has returned twice before for concerts in Lawrence, will perform at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H. Tickets are $15 for the public and $12 for seniors and students.

The recital is in memory of Bernard E. “Bernie” Nordling and Marga Legsdin Harris.

Nordling moved to Lawrence after retiring from his law practice in Hugoton. He and his wife, Barbara, hosted the reception at the Spencer Art Museum for IIYM participants for several years. The IIYM brings in top young pianists from around the world each year to Kansas University for a competition, concerts and classes.

Nordling died in 2005.

The concert also is in memory of Harris, who lived in Kansas City, Mo., and helped to expand IIYM’s outreach there through hosting recitals in her home. She died in 2006.

Lio’s career has taken off since he participated in IIYM in 2004, the first-ever competition. He has won several international prizes since then and has performed with several orchestras, including the Hong Kong Philharmonic, Pan Asia, Guangzhou, North Arkansas and Russian symphony orchestras, as well as the China Philharmonic.

In January, he returned to Lawrence for a performance with the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra at the Lied Center.