We have made it to the tenth and final heats episode of the season! Tune in one hour later than usual at 8pm on Tuesday 16th May to hear performances by pianist Thong Nguyen Tri Truong and violinist Angela Deng. We welcome back guest mentor – violinist Rollin Zhao who will offer comments to our young performers alongside resident mentor Evan J Lawson and host Heather Fletcher. Keep reading to learn more about Thong and Angela.

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Pianist Thong Nguyen Tri Truong

Thong is a current Honours student at the Melbourne Conservatorium studying with Jerry Wong. Prior to entering the Con, Thong studied his Bachelor of Commerce and Music at Monash, where he was a student of Dr Tomoe Kawabata whom he still shares a close mentorship with. Previous teachers and ongoing mentors include concert organists Jennifer Chou and Anthony Halliday, and pianist Wendy McLean.

Performance highlights include playing Rachmaninoff’s 2nd Piano Concerto with the Monash Academy Orchestra in 2022 and Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G with the Preston Symphony Orchestra in 2019. Past achievements include being awarded the 2022 Margaret Sutherland Bursary award, the 2021 Monash University Eliezer Benedykt Prize in Music, 1st prizes in both the 2020 Monash Australian Classical Music Prize and Concerto and Aria competitions, and 1st prize at the 2018 Ringwood Eisteddfod Instrumental Grand final. In masterclasses, Thong has performed for renowned pianists including Paavali Jumppanen, Jayson Ghillam, Geoffrey Saba, Konstantin Shamray, Max Cooke, Daniel Herscovitch, Stefan Cassomenos, Aura Go and ZOFO Piano Duo. 

As a performer, Thong loves playing as a soloist, chamber musician, piano collaborator, and accompanist, and has a diverse and ever-expanding repertoire encompassing classical, pop, and contemporary genres, with a recent interest in jazz. Outside of performance, Thong is on the piano faculty at St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar school and enjoys social tennis competition on the weekend. He is a massive fan of tennis legend Venus Williams. 

Thong will perform:

• P.Sculthorpe: Mountains
• F.Chopin: Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23

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Violinist Angela Deng

Born in 2011, Angela Deng is a Grade 6 student at Hartwell Primary School. She began to learn the violin at the age of five and is currently studying with violinist Markiyan Melnychenko. Her previous teachers also include Tatiana Chudnovskaya and Eliza Quirit. Angela has displayed great passion for music since a young age, being inspired by her older sister who plays the cello, she feels music is a great way to connect with people and express her feelings. As an active member in the music community, she regularly performs at local MSV concerts and retirement homes. 

In 2022, Angela completed the AMEB Grade 8 Violin Exam with High Distinction. She was a 2nd place winner in the American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition (Young Musician Section) and was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall. She has also been awarded multiple awards at local Eisteddfods such as Ringwood Eisteddfod and Latrobe Valley Eisteddfod. 

Angela loves to play in ensemble settings and make music with her friends. She enjoys participating in many advanced youth orchestras, including MYO summer camp and State Music Camp. She is a current member of the Melbourne Youth Chamber Strings at MYO. 

Aside from music, Angela loves to read, draw, handcraft and socialize with her friends.

Angela will perform:

• Wieniawski: Violin Concerto no.2 in D minor, 2^nd movement “Romance” 
• Viotti: Violin Concerto no.22 in A minor, 1^st movement Moderato

With associate artist Stewart Kelly

Tune in to The Talent every Tuesday night at 7pm to 103.5FM 3MBS 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.