Australian cellist Gabriel Tian Liu receives the AUD 3,000 first prize
The final round of this year’s John Curro National Youth Concerto Competition (JCNYCC) took place on 11 October at the Old Museum Concert Hall in Brisbane, Australia. It was open to string players up to the age of 18, and the three finalists were accompanied by the Queensland Youth Symphony Orchestra and conductor Simon Hewett.
The $3,000 first prize was awarded to cellist Gabriel Tian Liu, 15, following his performance of Martinů’s Cello Concerto no. 1. The other finalists were violist Juah Hyun, 17, and cellist Lieun Park, 17, each receiving AUD 1,200.
During the application process, three recitalists were chosen to join the finalists in rehearsals and performances throughout the final week, though not competing for the prize. They were violinist Sienna Kim, violinist and violist Christina Bhang, and cellist Patrick Phillips.
Liu is currently studying with David Berlin, the principal cellist of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and with Rachel Atkinson. He has been a member of the Australian and Melbourne youth orchestras and the Amadio Chamber Orchestra.
Among his accolades, he recently won the second prize at the 3MBS The Talent 2026, and together with the Kingussie Trio was the national winner at Musica Viva’s 2026 Strike A Chord competition.
The Queensland Youth Orchestras celebrated the results on social media:
‘A huge congratulations to this year’s winner, Gabriel Tian Liu, for his outstanding performance! Congratulations also to our finalists Juah Hyun and Lieun Park, and a big thank you to Queensland Youth Symphony, Assistant Conductor Natalia Carter, and our recitalists Christina Bhang, Patrick Phillips and Sienna Kim for an incredible concert… What a fantastic celebration of young musical talent!’
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