Madeleine Xiao

(18) PIANIST

Coatesville youngster Lauren Wycherley has been training as a ballet dancer since she was 8 years old. She attended Coatesville Primary, then Albany Junior High, and now studies with Te Kura Correspondence School. This provides more time for training and classes.

In 2017, just 8 months after starting ballet, Lauren reached the finals of the Asian Grand Prix in Hong Kong. In 2019, she was placed third at the same event, being one of the youngest participants.

Lauren has developed to be one of the best NZ ballet dancers in her age group, and one of the top dancers in Australasia. Her stated goal is to become NZ’s top ballet dancer of all time.

She now competes in 10-12 NZ competitions per year and has won or placed at most of these, winning many trophies, awards and scholarships.

In 2020, Lauren entered America's biggest ballet competition, the world’s largest scholarship competition – Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) in Los Angeles. She won the regional semi-final, and was invited to compete at the Grand Final in New York which was subsequently cancelled due to Covid. In 2020 she competed again in YAGP Australasia finals and made it into the top 12. In 2021, Lauren placed 3rd in the International Virtual Final, Juniors section, which included dancers from all over the world. In November 2022, Lauren placed first in the YAGP International Grand Finals, winning the competition against thousands of the best young dancers from all over the world.

In 2021, Lauren also competed in the South Africa International Ballet Competition virtual finals, and was awarded an International Scholarship with the Royal Ballet School (RBS) in London.

In 2022, Lauren placed second at the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) 14+ competition. In 2022 she was also awarded a three-week scholarship to Joffrey Ballet School in New York which Lauren plans to attend later in 2023. She was also awarded a 3-week scholarship at a school in Italy, Art Studio Danza.

Lauren’s medium term goal is to be awarded a full scholarship to train at the Royal Ballet School in London (at age 16). She hopes to graduate at 19, and go on to join a ballet company in Europe and become a principal dancer and then Prima Ballerina.

Scholarship funds will support more ballet lessons, training and intensive courses.

Lauren Wycherley receives a North Harbour Club AIMES Scholarship Award, sponsored by Vantage Windows & Doors North Shore, and a cash grant of $3,000.

Madeleine Xiao is an aspiring young musician who began her musical journey at the age of five, starting with piano. The former Carmel College student is currently in her second-year at the University of Auckland studying a Bachelor of Music, majoring in Classical Performance, studying under Dr Rae de Lisle, Bryan Sayer and Katherine Austin.

As well as excelling in Music, Madeleine has also excelled academically, having gained several awards at Carmel, including top subject scholars and distinction awards. In her last year of high school, in Year 12, she was also awarded the cup for Outstanding Contribution Award to Music and also became the youngest recipient of the Principal's Award, which is usually given to Year 13s.

Madeleine has achieved numerous top Music awards and scholarships. She has been generously supported by the Dame Malvina Major Foundation, Chiron Lewis Eady Foundation and Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. In 2022, Madeleine was a winner of the Auckland Youth Orchestra Piano Concerto Competition, where she received the opportunity to perform Ravel's Piano Concerto in G in a concert tour with the orchestra, including a final concert at the Auckland Town Hall. She also won the University of Auckland School of Music Concerto Competition.

In 2023, Madeleine was selected to attend the Adam Chamber Music Festival in Nelson, working with the New Zealand String Quartet. She also played Chopin’s Piano Concerto No.1 in E minor with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Benjamin Northey in the Christchurch Town Hall competing in the finale of the National Concerto Competition.

Apart from being a soloist, Madeleine is a passionate chamber musician and collaborative pianist with experience in coaching and playing with both vocalists and instrumentalists. She plays for several choirs and accompanies for events, such as the Big Sing and the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Auckland Museum. Madeleine’s chamber group, Kaha Trio, is an Auckland Philharmonia Aspiring Musicians Ensemble for the second year and performs regularly across Auckland and its wider regions.

Madeleine says receiving this scholarship will help support her musical development in many ways, from education development to funding for competition and travelling expenses.