WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

The Lewis Eady Charitable Trust has been supporting young, emerging musicians across New Zealand and promoting classical music since 2008. You may remember our annual 'Emerging Artist Series', which showcased pianists from around New Zealand.  One pianist was nominated by each School of Music from universities throughout the country to present an informal recital at the Lewis Eady showroom in Auckland. A best recital performer was selected from each Series to win $1,000, a mystery Steinway prize, and a performance opportunity in Sydney, Australia.

This Emerging Artist Series was an important stepping stone providing performance experience and boosting confidence for many young NZ pianists and these artists formed the foundation of an expanding group we proudly claim as LECT Alumni.  Here we share a few highlights from our series winners.

Tony Lin

Winner - 2008 LECT Emerging Artist Award

An accomplished pianist, teacher, conductor and composer, Tony released his debut album Digressions on Rattle Records in 2018 and will tour with Chamber Music New Zealand later this year.

Jason Bae

Winner - 2009 LECT Emerging Artist Award

Pianist, conductor and New Zealand's youngest Steinway Artist, Jason has recently been appointed an Artist Teacher at his alma mater, the University of Auckland School of Music.

Anna Maksymova

Winner - 2010 LECT Emerging Artist Award

Anna teaches piano at The Piano: Centre for Music and the Arts, regularly collaborates with musicians from the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, and is involved with key arts organisations including the Concert for Christchurch Foundation Trust. 

Lucy Zeng

Winner - 2011 LECT Emerging Artist Award

Lucy is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in collaborative piano at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where she is also an associate instructor. 

Matt Steele

Winner - 2012 LECT Emerging Artist Award

Matt is the first jazz musician to win a LECT Emerging Artist Award. Originally from Wellington, Matt graduated from the University of Auckland's School of Music and is now based in Melbourne, Australia.

Sylvia Jiang

Winner - 2013 LECT Emerging Artist Award 
Sylvia is currently studying at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York. She founded NOVA: Movement and Sound, a music and dance collaboration at Juilliard that aims to create relevant and engaging works of art.

Lawrence Wong

Winner - 2014 LECT Emerging Artist Award 

Lawrence will commence his Artist Diploma programme later this year at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, a highly competitive performance-intensive degree, on a full scholarship and assistantship.

Jane (Ji Hyun) Sohn

Winner - 2015 LECT Emerging Artist Award 

Since receiving her Bachelor of Music with Honours at the University of Auckland, Jane returned to South Korea where she continues to hone her teaching and performance skills.