Siyu Sun has been awarded the Dame Malvina Major Foundation Alice Cole Scholarship for 2018.
The twenty-one year old began piano studies at the age of four, and is currently studying with Associate Professor Rae de Lisle at the University of Auckland.
Siyu took home the $1,000 prize ahead of a competitive field of five other finalists who were required to perform in a recital adjudicated by acclaimed pianist and composer Flavio Vilani.
Siyu says the award means a huge deal as a musician and is a significant contribution to her auditions in Europe for overseas study.
“This is a real springboard to my musical career. With the Alice Cole Piano Scholarship, I now have opportunity to develop my experience and knowledge of piano performance and teaching in an international field.”
Earlier last year, Siyu was awarded first prize in the National Concerto Competition, and second prize in the Wallace National Piano Competition. She has also appeared as soloist with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Wellington Chamber Orchestra, University of Auckland Symphony Orchestra, and Christchurch Youth Orchestra. She is the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra’s Haydn Staples Piano Scholar for 2018.