We are delighted to announce that our finalists for Season 2 of 2023 are pianists Haoqing Leo Liu, Ayana Fridkin, and Aaron Su! The three finalists will perform again during our finale episode on Tuesday 24th of October before being placed into 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize by resident mentor Coady Green and guest mentor Benjamin Northey.

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Haoqing Leo Liu

Haoqing Leo Liu, 16 years old, began his music education in Wuhan, China and continued in Melbourne in 2018. 

Since then, Leo has been the recipient of several awards including the first prizes in the 2022 Steinway Youth Piano Competition Australia, PolMusicA Polish Music Competition, the Musical Society of Victoria MSV 18 Years Nehama Patkin Memorial Award, Bernstein National Piano Competition, 2022 Bach Competition on Piano and 2023 Bach Competition on Harpsichord, at Melbourne Recital Centre, as well as numerous Awards in State Eisteddfods and Online International Competitions, where most recently Leo received Gold Award at World Piano Teachers Association (WPTA) 5th Finland International Piano Competition 2023, which endorsed him to participate in the Singapore International Piano Competition in December. 

In 2022, Leo was a scholarship recipient of the Melbourne Conservatorium Young Artist Academy (MCYAA), where he performed the Shostakovich Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor, Op. 67, and Mozart Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor, K. 491 as a finalist with orchestra. Additionally, Leo completed his Australian Music Examination Board (AMEB) The Licentiate in Music, Australia, (LMusA) Piano Performance Diploma, Award with Distinction. 

Earlier this year, Leo performed Live to Air in 3 MBS, for their Melbourne in Concert program, at the Showcase of the 2023 Sydney International Piano Competition in Sydney, and Lunchtime Concert at the St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne. On Sunday 26 November 2023 he will perform Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23 with Maroondah Symphony Orchestra. 

Leo studies Piano with Mr Glenn Riddle and Harpsichord with Mr David Macfarlane at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, Melbourne.  

Leo first appeared on Episode 1 of The The Talent Season 2 2023 and for his Finale performance will play:

• F.Chopin: Scherzo No. 1 in B minor, Op. 20

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Ayana Fridkin

Ayana Fridkin is a 13-year-old triple treat: a pianist, a singer and a coding whiz. She started playing the piano at the age of four, and by the time she was 11, she had achieved AMEB AMusA piano with distinction. She is also a talented singer, and in 2023, she achieved Rockschool Vocals Grade 7. Ayana is also a gifted performer. When she takes the stage, she has a way of connecting with the audience on a deep emotional level. She is able to use her music to share her feelings and emotions with others in a way that words cannot. Ayana studies piano with Dr Tamara Smolyar and singing with Dr Ian Nisbet. Ayana has won numerous awards for her musical talent, including the Community Bank Pinewood Scholarship(1st prize for U21) at Monash Youth Music Festival, 1st prize for contemporary vocal solo open section at Boroondara Eisteddfod, 2nd prize for piano solo open section at Boroondara Eisteddfod, 3rd prize for the Hephzibah Menuhin Memorial Awards(U25) by the Musical Society of Victoria, 3rd prize for open musical theatre section at Ringwood Eisteddfod, and 3rd prize for singing at Knox Factor. In 2022, she gave live radio recitals on 3MBS the Talent and 3MBS Morning Recital.

In addition to her musical talents, Ayana is also a talented coder. She has received gold certificates for the Australian Informatics Olympiad for the last three years. Ayana is a true triple treat, and she is sure to have a bright future in piano, singing and coding. She is an inspiration, and we can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next.

Ayana first appeared on Episode 7 of The The Talent Season 2 2023 and for her Finale performance will play:

• P.I.Tchaikovsky: Dumka

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Aaron Su

Ten-year-old Aaron Su is currently studying piano with Dr Kenji Fujimura. He started his piano journey at the age of 6. He has shown great passion and curiosities in music by exploring many composers’ life and listening to their works from YouTube. Aaron completed AMEB grade 8 with high distinction last year and he is currently preparing for his AMusA. Over the past three years, Aaron has participated in a range of piano competitions and winning numerous awards across Melbourne and interstate. He has been fortunate to receive master classes from the accomplished pianists Tamara Smolyar, Konstantin Shamray, Quang Hong Luu, Jerry Wong and Elyane Laussade. 

Aaron’s recent achievements in 2023 include first place in the Musical Society of Victoria Piano Competition (12 years and under), first place in the Eisteddfod By The Bay (16 years and under), first place in the Ringwood Eisteddfod (10 years and under), first place in the  Monash Youth Music Festival 10 years and under and second place in the Boroondara Eisteddfod (under open age group). He also received special awards of Frank Robertson-Smith Trust Encouragement Award from 2022 Royal South Street Competition and Thelma Griffiths Musicianship Prize from 2021 Latrobe Valley Eisteddfod . 

Aaron also enjoys playing cello in many advanced youth symphonies and orchestras, including Melbourne Youth Orchestra, the State Music Camp, Ambassadorial Youth Chamber Orchestra and Cloud Concert Symphony Orchestra. Beyond his musical pursuits, Aaron is a passionate sports enthusiast. He enjoys swimming as an active member of a local swimming club. Soccer, reading and chess are some of his other passions. Aaron is a joyful young boy with a multitude of interests and passions that fill his life with happiness and excitement.

Aaron first appeared on Episode 8 of The The Talent Season 2 2023 and for his Finale performance will play:

• W.A.Mozart: K330 III. Allegretto
• M.Glinka: The Lark

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