Biography
New Zealand pianist Siyu Sun has performed as a recitalist, concerto soloist and chamber musician in many of the world’s leading concert halls. Highlights include the Royal Albert Hall, Steinway Hall London, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, St. James Church Piccadilly, Milton Court Concert Hall, Auckland Town Hall, and Queensland Conservatorium Hall.
Siyu has won national and international competitions; the Guildhall Romantic Prize in London, Auckland Chamber Music Society Prize, and National Concerto Competition. Recently, she was a finalist in the keyboard section of the Royal Overseas League competition, winner of the Tait Memorial Prize for an Outstanding Australian/New Zealand Musician, and prize winner of the Sheepdrove International Competition. She has been a semi-finalist in the Birmingham International Piano Competition, Florence International Music Competition and 28th International Piano Competition 2023 Giulio Rospigliosi. As a concerto soloist, Siyu has performed with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and Wellington Chamber Orchestra.
Also a passionate chamber musician, Siyu was invited to perform in the 2022 BBC Total Immersion concert in collaboration with the Barbican. She was selected to perform in a two piano team as part of GSMD’s Summer Chamber Music Festival of July 2021 and in 2022 she will perform with Wind Quintet, in collaboration with distinguished flautist, Philippa Davies. Siyu has performed in the NZSO National Youth Orchestra on both French horn and orchestral piano.
Siyu recently completed an Artist Diploma with Distinction, the highest level of taught post-graduate study, at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Professors Ronan O'Hora and Carole Presland.
Siyu is generously supported by the Guildhall School Trust, Patricia Pratt and Kiwi Music Scholarship Trust, Anne Bellam, Inspire Foundation, Dame Malvina Major Foundation, Kathleen Marydon Travelling Scholarship, Jack McGill Music Scholarship, and has been a Haydn Staples APO Piano scholar. She holds prizes including the Best New Zealand Pianist Prize, Virtuoso Prize, and Blues Award for most Meritorious Performance in the Arts and Culture.