ANPA finalist Reuben Tsang - one among an abundance of talent.
The exceptional standard of the pianists in the 2026 Australian National Piano Award is delighting local audiences this week, as Shepparton plays host to this remarkable biennial event.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Twelve young finalists are competing for more than $75,000 in prize money.
All save one of the twelve performers have studied and performed overseas; all have won prizes and scholarships in far-flung competitions, and many have performed with prominent orchestras.
Most have a Master of Music, one is a PhD and two are undertaking their doctorates.
Take 23-year-old Reuben Tsang (pictured) as one example: starting his piano studies in Cairns, he won the Queensland Conservatorium Medal after graduating with First Class Honours in his Bachelor of Music.
In 2023, aged just 20, he won the Best Australian Pianist Prize at the Sydney International Piano Competition; in the last two years he has performed as a soloist with the Melbourne, Queensland and Brisbane Symphony Orchestras.
And he is just one.
The ANPA finalists.
ANPA Board chair Darryl Coote said that a refreshed application process for the award had encouraged a significantly larger number of applicants from which the finalists were chosen.
The competition heats up now as the solo recitals finish over two sessions (1pm and 7.30pm) Thursday, after which five finalists are selected for Friday’s semi-final, commencing at noon at Riverlinks Eastbank. Entry for the solo recitals and semi-finals is just $15 ($10 concession)
Following the semi-final, three contestants will be chosen to tussle it out at Saturday night’s Grand Final, at 7pm – for just $40 ($35 concession)
Where else can you witness world-class performers for such a modest outlay – and in our own backyard? Tickets at Riverlinks or on their website.
