2026 Regional finalists
Daniel Chen is a dedicated young violinist who began learning the instrument at the age of six. He currently studies under Vladimir Kocibelli and Jamie Parker at Geelong Grammar School, where he was awarded a music scholarship in Year 6 in recognition of his talent and commitment. Daniel has demonstrated strong leadership and musicianship throughout his school years. From Year 5, he served as Concertmaster in middle school and was selected to join the senior school string ensemble. By Year 8, he was leading both a violin duet and a senior school string quartet, showcasing his ability to collaborate and lead within ensemble settings. He is a versatile performer, excelling in both solo and group performances, with a refined technique and expressive musicality. In 2024, Daniel was a finalist in the Australian Youth Classical Music Competition, highlighting his artistic development and dedication to excellence.
Olivia Cheng is a Year 8 student at Christian College Geelong. She began studying the violin at a young age and has developed a thoughtful approach to classical repertoire. In 2025, she achieved an A grade in the AMEB Grade 7 Comprehensive examination and is currently preparing for Grade 8. Since relocating to Australia, Olivia has embraced new musical experiences and continues to broaden her performance opportunities through school ensemble programs and public appearances. She is particularly interested in developing depth of tone, stylistic understanding and expressive communication in her playing.
Luke Feng is currently in Year 9 at The Geelong College. Music plays a significant role in his life; since the age of six, he has been learning the piano, which he finds brings him both joy and relaxation after a busy school day. In addition to piano, Luke is actively involved in his school’s music program. He participates in a range of ensembles, including quartets, the Humble Chamber Strings, and the Symphony Orchestra, where he plays the viola.
RUNNER UP
Alice Hu is currently 13 years old in Year 9, studying at Kardinia International College. She started playing the piano when she was 4 years old and currently studies with piano teacher Yiting Tang. Yuxin completed her Grade 8 AMEB exam in 2025 with a high distinction and more recently, she has started taking flute lessons at Kardinia and completed her Grade 3 AMEB exam in 2025 as well. She was also a finalist of the 2025 Australian Youth Classical Music Competition Regional Competition. For her, music is both an enjoyment and a challenge and she hopes that it will always be a part of her life.
Daniyel Jiang, aged 12, is currently a student at Geelong Grammar School in Australia and a recipient of a Music Scholarship. Daniel began learning piano in 2023 at the age of nine and has demonstrated remarkable musical talent and artistic potential from an early stage. In 2026, Daniel gained admission to both the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS) and Geelong Grammar School, and was the only piano student admitted by both schools that year. At the age of 11, Daniel memorised and performed all 32 Beethoven Piano Sonatas within one month, demonstrating exceptional memory, musical understanding, and learning ability. Daniel is also one of the youngest pianists participating in the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music chamber music program, actively performing in piano trio and chamber music
settings.
RUNNER UP
& Audience Prize
Thomas Moffatt is in Year 11 at Christian College Geelong Senior School. He has been learning and playing the trumpet for ten years now, and is currently working towards his 8th Grade AMEB trumpet exam. He enjoys playing a wide range of music, from classical repertoire to big band music as the lead trumpet player in his school’s Stage Band. He has also enjoyed playing and performing with different brass instruments in various environments. A recent achievement of his was being involved in Footlight Production’s stage show of Legally Blonde the Musical in January at the Geelong Arts Centre. In the show, he was a musician in the pit orchestra playing the Trumpet and Flugelhorn. Having participated in multiple Geelong Summer Music Camps, Thomas enjoys collaboratively working and playing music with other musicians his age, and finds it is a great way to get to know people!
RUNNER UP
Joyce Qin is a Year 7 student at The Geelong College. She began studying piano and violin at the age of five, later commencing classical voice training at ten, performing repertoire in German, French, and Italian. Joyce has consistently achieved strong results in her music examinations and competitions, participating in events in Melbourne, Geelong, and overseas across piano, violin, and classical voice, with recognition for her achievements. She completed her Violin Performance examination in 2025 with distinction. Joyce is a member of the Melbourne Youth Orchestra Symphony Orchestra and has attended its summer school program. She has performed at the AUSTA VIC String Performers Festival, giving an outstanding performance. At school, she serves as a leader of the Middle School Orchestra, also a chamber ensemble and string quartet member.
My name is Ella Rossiter. I am a 17 year old student in year 12 preparing for VCE at Kardinia International College. I began playing flute when I was 7 and since then have also learned to play clarinet, saxophone, guitar and bass. While flute continues to be my favourite instrument I play a variety of instruments in different bands across of a variety of genres. This includes a brass band, concert band and the Geelong Youth Orchestra who I played with for several years. I hope to study classical music at university after I graduate, and ultimately become a professional musician. I have entered this competition because I would love the opportunity to gain more experience performing solo. Receiving feedback from the panel of judges may help me learn and grow. I also think it would be wonderful to see other musician’s performances.
Micah So is a Year 12 student, currently studying piano with Dr Tristan Lee. Since the age of 10, Micah has garnered numerous accolades locally and nationally, winning 1st prize in multiple categories at competitions such as the Geelong Eisteddfod, Bendigo Eisteddfod and the 2025 Oz School Instrumental Championships (National Final). A frequent performer, Micah has given recitals at venues including the Clocktower Centre, the Capital Theatre and was invited to perform at the Ian Potter Southbank Centre. Micah is regularly involved with music at school, collaborating in chamber music. He is also involved in various bands and performs actively with the Senior School Orchestra.
Micah believes in sharing music with as many as possible, through performing actively, and aspires to do so on the international stage.
Anna Wood is a dedicated young musician and student at Christian College Geelong with a passion for woodwind and classical music. She began learning clarinet at a young age, and during COVID her enthusiasm for wind music flourished through online lessons with David Gardner. Since then, Anna has embraced every opportunity to expand her musical skills and challenge herself as a performer.
She is an active member of the Highton Intermediate Concert Band, Senior Wind Symphony, Novice Stage Band as a saxophonist, and the Geelong Concert Band Community Band. In addition to her love of woodwind, Anna is also an accomplished viola player and performs with her school’s Senior String Ensemble. Anna enjoys exploring a wide range of musical styles and is excited to participate in AYCMC, continuing to grow as a confident and versatile young musician.
Christopher Xie is a pianist and Year 11 student at The Geelong College who currently studies under Mark Krueger, focusing on developing technical accuracy, tonal control, and deeper interpretative awareness. Before this, he heard with Ian Ladd for nearly a decade, establishing strong foundational skills and a disciplined approach to the instrument. Over his 12 years of playing, Christopher has steadily advanced through the AMEB syllabus and is now preparing for his AmusA diploma. He performs regularly in school concerts and enjoys sharing music with the community, particularly through volunteer performances at aged-care homes. Christopher is especially drawn to Romantic-period repertoire, finding freedom in its expressive phrasing and emotional nuance, and often gravitates toward composers such as Debussy and Schumann.
My name is Jennifer Yu and I am 13 years old. I play both the cello and piano, and have been learning these instruments for over 7 years.
I was one of the winners of the 2024 Ringwood Eisteddfod, and was also invited by the Polish Music Festival to perform at the Sydney Opera House. More recently, I was one of the Runner-ups of the AYCMC 2025. I love music because it allows me to express exactly what I feel through melody, not just words. Music brings me happiness by giving me an escape from everyday life. Through music, I can imagine anything as if I have a pair of wings that can take me to infinite places. Music gives me a strong sense of accomplishment and achievement. It is both an enjoyment and a challenge, and I hope it will always be a meaningful part of my life.