We are delighted to announce that our finalists for Season 1 of 2024 are cellist Gabriel Liu, pianist Anna Gao, and violinist Louise Turnbull! The three finalists will perform again during our finale episode on Tuesday 28th of May before being placed into 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize by resident mentor Tamara Smolyar and guest mentor Richard Davis.

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Cellist Gabriel Liu

Gabriel Tian Liu, 12 years old, started the cello at the age of 7 and is currently under the tutelage of David Berlin, Principal Cello of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra; as well as weekly sessions with Australian Cellist Rachel Atkinson, Head of Music Academy in Camberwell Grammar School. Gabriel has also been given the opportunity to participate in multiple masterclasses with world class cellist Li-Wei Qin.

Gabriel attends Camberwell Grammar School in which he was awarded a full music scholarship for the cello, along with participating in multiple chamber groups at school. Gabriel is a keen competitor, winning 1st prize in MSV 15 years and under string section, and many eisteddfods including Monash Music Festival, Boroondara Eisteddfod and Ringwood Eisteddfod. 

Gabriel also participated in MYO’s Flagship Orchestra when he was 11 years old and has performed in numerous chamber groups in Melbourne Conservatorium Young Artists Academy and Camberwell Grammar School, playing extensive repertoire ranging from Mozart’s String Quartet in G minor to Mendelsohn’s Trio in D minor and Dvorak trio No 2. Gabriel has also performed Boccherini’s Cello Sonata, No. 6 with Ms Rachel Atkinson, head of Music Academy at Camberwell Grammar School along with Elgar’s Salut d’ Amour with Scott Wyatt, the Deputy Head of Middle School at Camberwell Grammar School.

Other than cello, Gabriel has studied piano with Len Vorster since he was 5 years old and was awarded his AMusA Diploma for piano with Distinction in June 2023. He will complete his cello LMusA exam in June this year.

Gabriel appeared on Episode 10 of The The Talent Season 1 2024 and for his finale performance will play:

• L.V.Beethoven: Sonata no.3 for cello and piano, III. Adagio Cantabile – Allegro Vivace

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Pianist Anna Gao

Anna is currently studying a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music under renowned pedagogue Glenn Riddle and after completing her Masters aspires to travel abroad to Europe in order to further her studies.

Anna has had success in numerous national competitions including winning the prestigious 2022 MBS National Fine Music Young Virtuoso Award, as well as the Margaret Schofield Chopin Prize in both 2019 and 2022. Other awards include winning the 3MBS Young Performer of the Year, Runner-up in the 3MBS ‘The Talent’, finalist in the MRC Great Romantics Competition, and 3rd Prize in the MYO Virtuosity Concerto Competition. Anna has performed concertos by Grieg and Beethoven with the Preston Symphony Orchestra, the Zelman Symphony Orchestra, the Melbourne Youth Orchestra and the Camerata Orchestra. Anna is an experienced recitalist and has been invited to present recitals for 3MBS, St Paul’s Lunchtime Concert Series and for the Austral Salon.

Anna appeared on Episode 7 of The The Talent Season 1 2024 and for her finale performance will play:

• L.Liebermann: Gargoyles

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Violinist Louise Turnbull

Louise Turnbull is a student of Sophie Rowell at the Australian National Academy of Music, where in 2023 she was awarded the St. Silas Prize for the Most Outstanding First Year Recital. Louise has performed as soloist most recently with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra as part of the Ears Wide Open concert series. Louise has also performed with the Preston Symphony, Frankston Symphony and Percy Grainger Youth Orchestra. Louise looks forward to performing Brahm’s Violin Concerto in November with the Peninsula Chamber Musicians and will be performing Bruch’s Violin Concerto with the Australasian Orchestra on February 25th.

Louise appeared on Episode 2 of The The Talent Season 1 2024 and for her finale performance will play:

• J.S.Bach: Chaconne

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