This week on Episode 7 of The Talent 2022 Season 1, our featured performers are baritone Alexander Owens and pianist Serena Zhang. You’ll hear them perform live to air a wonderful programme with works including Jacques Ibert’s Chansons de Don Quichotte and Bach’s Toccata in C minor, and then receive immediate feedback on air from professional industry mentors.

Want to listen? Make sure to tune in every Tuesday night at 7pm to 103.5FM 3MBS Fine Music Melbourne. You can also stream the live broadcast at 3mbs.org.au or catch up later on our podcast! Just search for “The Talent 3MBS“ in your favourite podcast app and subscribe.

Scroll down to find out more about Alexander and Serena, and more details about what they’ll be performing.

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Baritone Alexander Owens

Alex Owens is a baritone, composer and arranger engaging in music-making on the lands of the Wurundjeri people. Currently completing their Bachelor of Music (Honours) at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, Alex is a passionate recitalist with a love of curating and performing song. Working with frequent collaborator Elyane Laussade, they will present a new program as part of the 2022 Laussade Studio season in May.

Alex has performed with the Victorian Opera and Cordelia’s Potted Operas, as well as with choral groups across Melbourne including Divisi Chamber Singers, the Consort of Melbourne, and the Australian Chamber Choir.

As a composer, they have had works commissioned by the University of Melbourne and Arts Centre Melbourne, and has recently collaborated with Melbourne pianist Coady Green in arranging works for his exciting 2022 concerts.

As an arts administrator, Alex spends their days working in Programming at the Melbourne Recital Centre, and around administration and performance, enjoys baking all kinds of sweets and cakes, and contributes to local journalism through monthly reporting on local council matters. 

Alexander will perform:

• Jacques Ibert: Chansons de Don Quichotte
  • Chanson du depart
  • Chanson a Dulcinée
  • Chanson du Duc
  • Chanson de la mort
• Peggy Glanville Hicks: Come Sleep

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Pianist Serena Zhang

Yitong (Serena) Zhang is a Year 10 student at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School studying piano with Glenn Riddle and is also a pupil of the Melbourne Conservatorium Young Artists Academy. 

So far this year, Serena was awarded 1st prize in the Dandenong Ranges Chris Krans Award and 2nd prize in Music Society of Victoria 15 & under. 

In 2021, Serena was chosen as a Recitalist in the Young Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition. She was awarded 1st place in the Sydney Eisteddfod Polyphony, 2nd prize at the Ewa Malewicz Polish Competition and several prizes in different age groups at the Ringwood Eisteddfod and By The Bay Eisteddfod. 

In 2020, she finished 3rd at the Scotch Piano Competition (under 18), 2nd prize in the Dandenong Ranges Chris Krans Award and many other prizes in numerous age groups at the Boroondara Eisteddfod. Serena was also selected to take part in the 3MBS Beethoven Marathon Masterclass. 

Serena will perform:

• Bach: Toccata in C minor
• Morel: Étude de Sonorité

Tune in to The Talent every Tuesday night at 7pm to 103.5FM 3MBS Fine Music Melbourne. You can also stream the live broadcast at 3mbs.org.au or catch up later on our podcast! Just search for “The Talent 3MBS“ in your favourite podcast app and subscribe.