Shan Liu (13)

Pianist

Shan Liu, a Year 9 student at Westlake Boys High School, started to learn piano with Miss Xi Jiang in 2017. His current tutors are Stephen De Pledge (School of Music, University of Auckland) and Prof. Xin Wang (Chinese pianist in Germany).

Shan’s goal is to become a concert pianist or a music teacher. Playing piano is the most important aspect of his life. He has won numerous national and international competitions and has been invited to perform in many countries, including China, Australia, UK, Italy, Germany, USA, Belgium and The Netherlands from 2018 to 2022. Despite his young age, Shan has performed as a piano soloist with many orchestras.

Shan strives for excellence with his piano performance and towards his music goals.

In 2019, Shan was awarded a full scholarship to Germany to participate in a masterclass with Manfred Fock at Nubeck National Conservatory of Music.

In 2022 was invited by Germany International Music Festival Beethoven Orbit to play a solo recital concert in Germany. All proceeds were donated to a local charity organisation to support Ukraine refugees.

Other achievements in 2022 were: Grand Prize Winner of 2021 Pacific Rim International Piano Competition (PRM), which led to represent NZ and compete International Grand Final, winning the Gold Prize in 2022; Invited to perform his recital at the acclaimed Carnegie Hall in January 2023; 1st Prize and Best Performance Prize and Audience Prize at 2022 International Piano Competition for Young Musicians in The Netherlands – youngest ever 1st Prize winner in event history.

Shan started to play with orchestras from the age of nine. He has performed with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra, St Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Manukau Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Auckland.

Shan’s achievements have also included:- Grand Jury Prize of 2nd Everade National Youth Piano Competition (China, 2018); 1st Prize of 11th Shanghai International Youth Piano Competition (China, 2018); 1st Place for 2019 Hamilton Piano Competition, NSPAC & SAPAC Piano Competitions; 1st Place of 2019 & 2021 IRMT (Auckland Branch) Scholarships; 1st Place of 2020 Cesar Franck International Piano Competition (Belgium); 1st Prize of 2020 Piano Talent Online Competition (Italy); 1st Place of 2020 NZ Young Artist Piano Concerto Competition; 1st Place of 2020 Kings Peak International Piano Competition (USA).

AIMES Scholarship grant funds will enable Shan to perform and pursue his goals overseas.

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