Hello everyone! The 3rd New Zealand International Piano Festival is set to return in 2026, and we look forward to welcoming you all in Auckland!
For those of you who are familiar with psychology, you will know that the famous 1970s Hungarian psychologist Michal Csikszentmihalyi introduced the concept of “flow”–a state of complete immersion and focus in an activity, to the extent where one loses track of time. Experiencing this state brings an unparalleled sense of happiness and fulfilment, which is beneficial for both your mental and physical wellbeing.
I believe that whether it’s learning to paint, delving into scientific research, or mastering a musical instrument, focus is an essential skill. The true reward from studying music lies in the fulfilment and sense of accomplishment following a “flow” experience, rather than mere material enjoyment. This is why we aim to create a festival with a highly academic, concentrated, and professional atmosphere–one that offers participants an immersive scholarly experience that allows them to reap the joy music can bring.
During the festival, we provide countless lectures, activities, competitions, and performance opportunities. I hope to captivate our audiences like a spectacular blockbuster, making them lose track of time and absorb knowledge like sponges. I once joked with my friend, saying “The New Zealand Music Festival is like a cinema–the screenings run from morning to night, with a rich variety of content. Audiences can choose not to come, but as long as they come, we’ll definitely have something to offer”.
In 2025, we invited numerous artists to teach and mentor at our festival, fostering a collision of diverse and multifaceted ideas. The more collisions from such ideas, the more participants are able to learn. The same piece of music, interpreted by different teachers, can reveal many approaches, allowing students to broaden their horizons and gain deeper insight into music. This is the ultimate idea we intend to convey—music is not a series of fixed answers, but rather like translating a French classic: understanding the nuances of an author’s linguistic style and interpreting it with one’s unique flourish.
For the upcoming 2026 festival, we have invited even more teachers to join us. We hope to connect with more of the music industry to guide students in understanding what is”right” and “wrong” in certain contexts, whilst showing them that other instances may call for a more appropriate evaluation system seperate from binary judgements. This is one of the most important lessons I learned from my teacher during my studies at the Eastman School of Music, which is why I have invited him to this year’s festival: Professor Douglas Humphrerys, Chair of the Piano Department at Eastman and the Artistic Director of the renowned Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition in Salt Lake City. As one of the most influential and respected piano educators in contemporary America, he has nurtured a multitude of outstanding pianists.
Last year, we were honoured to host Professor Krzystof Jablonski, the Academic Lead of the Piano Department at the School of Music, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen. This year, we are very fortunate to welcome him again. As a jury member of the 2025 International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, he will share insights into the standards of top international competitions.
Three of New Zealand’s most distinguished contemporary pianists remain our regular guests: Micheal Enders (former Head of Piano at the Hanns Eisler Academy of Music in Berlin), Stephen De Pledge (current Head of Piano at the University of Auckland School of Music), and New Zealand’s international treasure, piano educator Rae de Lisle. Their masterclasses are always in high demand, and students consistently gain invaluable wisdom and experience from them.
From Australia, we have invited Professor Jerry Wong, Head of Piano at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. Last year, he gave wonderful masterclasses at our festival, and I believe his presence will provide valuable insight for students aspiring to study in Australia.
We are also thrilled to welcome the married duo–Qingwen Xiao and Konstantinos Valianatos, from the Tianjin Julliard School Piano Department. Both are outstanding pianists and my former classmates at The Juilliard School in New York. They will present a spectacular double piano concert during the festival.
Professor Songwen Li from the Xinghai Conservatory of Music is another regular at our festival. Having served as the Head of the Piano Department for many years, he consistently provides thought-provoking teachings to our events.
Due to my long-standing affiliation with the Wuhan Conservatory of Music, our festival would not be complete without its faculty. This year, Professor Wu’na Meng, Professor Zidong Zhou, and Professor Hanqing Zhou will share their expertise. Each brings unique strengths: Professor Zhou has extensive experience in modern American music, Professor Meng has made significant contributions to contemporary music research, and Professor Zhou is one of China’s rare experts in the Matthay teaching method.
From the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai region, we are honoured to host Professor Qilin Sun from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music Piano Department. Like many of our festival faculty, she studied at The Juilliard School, and as a Golden Bell Award winner, possesses extraordinary piano skills.
This year marks the first participation of Professor Hao Zhu and Professor Lu Tan from the Zhejiang Conservatory of Music Piano Department. their presence will bring fresh energy and perspective to our festival. Teacher Luo’am Lin from the SuZhou University School of Music, my former classmate, is an accomplished performer and educator with extensive experience.
A significant change in this year’s festival is the inclusion of more young-generation artists. I hope to see an increase in young people taking on important roles in the festival, infusing it with their vibrant energy. My colleagues from the School of Music, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen–Chao Wang and Yue Zhang–are among the leading young pianists in China today, with rich experience in both performance and teaching. Additionally, Professor Jinhong Li from the Shenyang Conservatory of Music Piano Department and Teacher Yumeng Pan from the Harbin Conservatory of Music Piano Department will join us. I have no doubt that these four artists will present remarkable concerts and memorable masterclasses.
I believe that learning the piano is often an ascetic solitary practice, but at other times it can be a kind of brotherhood, a place of shared mutual support between fellow musicians. With so many people gathered at such a unique time and place, ideas can collide, spirits can exchange, and experiences can be passed on, thus passing the fundamental traditions of music from one generation to the next. This is the stage we provide.
In New Zealand, God’s own garden, where waves lap at your feet, where the breeze brushes your face, where the stars shimmer in the sky, and with a multitude of exquisite cuisine options, I hope music will connect every student and teacher who joins us. Let us all trust and uplift one another, and you all return home with unique enrichment and inspiration!
