Episode 3 of Season 2, 2023 will see resident mentor – Coady Green joined by guest mentor Dermot Tutty as they hear performances from Maxwell Chao-Hong and pianist Melody Huang. Maxwell and Melody will perform programmes including works by Mozart, Gluck, Chopin, and Arensky. Continue reading to learn more about Maxwell and Melody.

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Vocalist Maxwell Chao-Hong

Maxwell Chao-Hong is a 14-year-old classical singer. He has been undergoing classical vocal training since the age of 8, under the tutelage of Mrs Susan Breen-Clarke. He is a choral scholar at St Paul’s Cathedral Melbourne from 9 years of age.  Maxwell has enjoyed significant success in various eisteddfods and singing competitions within the junior vocal sections, culminating in the receipt of the Boroondara Eisteddfod Legacy Scholarship in 2019, as well as the Joan Arnold Encouragement Award from Eisteddfod by the Bay in 2023.

Maxwell had the privilege of performing in several operas, his stage debut is with Victorian Opera’s world premiere season of “A Christmas Carol” in December 2022, where he played the dual role of Tiny Tim/Child Scrooge.  His performance on the opening night earned positive reviews from Classic Melbourne, ArtsHub, and Australian Book Review. Maxwell has also performed as a member of the Opera Australia Children’s Chorus in Mefistofele in Concert (Opera Australia, 2022) and II Mago di Oz (Victorian Opera,2022).

In addition to singing, Maxwell also plays the piano, violin, and guitar. With his acting, he has been able to embrace several lead roles in school productions. Maxwell enjoys performing for charitable causes, such as singing at the Royal Melbourne Hospital Wards, the annual Children’s Christmas Service at St Paul’s Cathedral, at aged care/retirement villages, community operas, cultural festivals as well as charity concerts.

Maxwell’s endeavor is to become a multi-disciplinary vocalist, expanding his skills to include jazz, music theatre, and contemporary repertoires, and to continue learning and growing as a musician.

Maxwell will perform:

• W.A. Mozart: Abendempfindung
• C.Gluck: Che faro senza Euridice
• R.Heagney: 
  • Why do you rear your head
  • Sleep, dear child
• C.Schönberg: Stars (from Les Miserables)

With associate artist Isaac Mouskovias

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Pianist Melody Huang

Melody is 8 years old and is studying piano with Dr Helen Kasztelan Chapman. She started learning piano at age 5. Melody was awarded AMEB Certificate of Performance on Piano with High Distinction. 

Melody is the pianist of school string orchestra. She enjoys performing and participating in music festivals and competitions, where she has gained sixteen 1^st places, ten 2^nd places, and nine 3^rd places in national and international piano competitions. 

Some notable achievements include:

2^nd Place in the 2020 Melbourne International Piano and String Festival competition(MIPSF) Piano 6 Years and Under, and 2^nd Place in the 2020 Sauter Piano competition VIC 8 Years and under. In 2021 Melody won five sections at the 95th Bendigo Eisteddfod.

In 2022, Melody was awarded the ”Frank Robertson-Smith trust Fund Encouragement Award” from the Royal South Street Eisteddfod. 1^st place in the 68th Ringwood Eisteddfod 10 years and under. 1^st Place in the 2022 National Bernstein Piano Competition, 12 years and under division. 2^nd place in the 2022 MIPSF competition, Piano 8 Years and Under. 3^rd place in the Boroondara Piano 10 years and under. And 4^th place at the Polish Music Competition- Australia, 11 years and under.

In the first half of 2023, Melody was awarded the “ Sadie Brown Memorial Award” from the 69^th Ringwood Eisteddfod. She also got 1^st in Bendigo Eisteddfod Piano 21 years and under. 1^st place in the 69^th Ringwood Eisteddfod 8 years and under. And 3^rd in the Boroondara Eisteddfod Open Age session.

Performing highlights include appearing as a soloist in the Karralyka Theatre in both 2022 and 2023. Also twice in Federation Square Deakin Edge in 2022. Melody is a member of the Music Performers Association and is a regular performer at MPA concerts. 

Apart from playing the piano, Melody is also playing the viola. She loves mathematics, reading, running, and cooking.

Melody will perform:

• F.Chopin: Etude Op.25, No.2 in F minor
• A.Arensky: Nocturne, Op.36, No.3
• T.Baird: Sonatina
• Sonny Chua: Rodeo

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