Five Australian Pianists You Need In Your Life.

Looking for some inspiration to kick off your evening practice sessions? Look no further. We’ve picked five incredible Australian pianists who have done, and are continuing to do, amazing things in their music careers.

1. Van-Anh Nguyen

Van-Anh Nguyen is an Australian-Vietnamese pianist, producer, and composer currently signed to Universal Music/Decca Records.

With 7 album releases under her belt, she has hit #1 on the Australian iTunes classical charts three years in a row.

She was awarded her AmusA at age 9, and her LmusA at age 12, has won several awards throughout her piano studies such as the Kawai Piano Award (Australia), and the Audience Prize in the 13th Sommerklavierfest, Bad-Bertrich (Germany), and performed internationally at major concert halls.

Incorporating music, fashion and DJ’s to her concerts, Van-anh is also active on Instagram where she posts her new music, practice, and behind the scenes, with a bit of food and wine. Follow her here: https://www.instagram.com/vananhofficial/

2. Hoang Pham

Hoang Pham is a concert pianist who was born in Vietnam and came to Australia as a baby with his parents. He describes playing the piano, not only as his job, but his greatest hobby. He often performs as a soloist, sometimes with other musicians, and on special occasions with orchestras.

As much of the world is in lockdown, his production company ‘Hoang Pham Productions’, is presenting high quality performances, viewable for free on youtube, or facebook. Take a look! https://www.facebook.com/hoangphampiano/

Hoang Pham also teaches the piano to all ages and levels of experience. More information can be found here on his website: https://hoangpham.com.au/teaching/

3. Mekhla Kumar

Mekhla Kumar is an prize winning Australian concert pianist from Adelaide. After studying at Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium of Music, she completed her post graduate studies at the Freiburg University of Music in Germany where she was awarded 100% for her final examinations – a rare and impressive feat.

Mekhla Kumar has also been the recipient of multiple scholarships, has performed as a soloist with the Elder Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra, and has collaborated with Grammy nominated bassoon virtuoso, Martin Kuuskman.

4. Julian Cochran

Julian Cochran is an English born, Australian composer and pianist. Interestingly, he was also trained as a mathematician.

At fourteen years old, he received a scholarship to the Elder Conservatorium of Music in Adelaide for advanced piano studies. He also began teaching himself to play other instruments – some virtuosically.

Jeffrey Williams of the New York Concert Review pointed out that when one hears ‘mathematician’ and ‘composer’ in the same sentence, it’s not unreasonable to anticipate a music style with a mathematical base, however it is not the case with Julian Cochran, who stylistically, can be compared to romantic composers such as Chopin, and Debussy.

His music continues to be performed globally at some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls. The Cochran Piano Competition began in 2014 and is usually held annual in Warsaw, Poland, however, as all piano competitions are cancelled due to covid, the fifth edition will be held online, with participants able to send in their audition videos.

For more information, visit:

https://www.cochranpianocompetition.com/about

5. Simon Tedeschi

Simon is one of Australia’s most renowned pianists, performing as a soloist with the counties leading orchestras, and internationally with various jazz and classical collaborators. In 2009 he performed at Carnegie Hall and was the recipient of the ‘New York Young Jewish Pianist Award’. By then, he was no stranger to the stage, he first performed at the Sydney Opera House at the age of 8!

He is currently performing across Australia as part of various collaborations, including Echo’s Of The Jazz Age, The Genius Of Gershwin, and Rhapsody in Blue with the Clarence Valley Orchestra.

Alongside a symphony orchestra, Simon also has a concert series especially for kids and their families. The self-described pianist and prankster takes his audience on a journey, sharing his experiences as a classical pianist.

He also performs a concert designed for little ones aged 2-5 titled ‘Meeting Mozart’. Take a look here!