University News Last updated 24 July
Junior RBC student Aurora Chan won first prize in her own age group at the Second International Vienna Piano Competition. Aurora, who is 11 years old, scored 94.4 points out of 100, which also represented the second highest score across all age groups – from 7 to 35 years of age – comprising competitors from countries across the world, including the United States, China, Russia, Czech Republic, Lithuania and France.
The annual International Piano Competition Wiener Klassik is organised by the Vienna Piano School and encourages pianists from all over the world to present their skills in Vienna, with the winners taking part in a prize winners' concert.
Born in Hong Kong, Aurora started her musical journey with the piano at the age of four and took up the cello aged six. She moved to the UK in 2020 and by the age of eight, she had successfully auditioned for the classical course at Junior RBC. As a student, Aurora was encouraged to apply and take advantage of this international performance opportunity.
The competition attracted more than 200 applicants, 65 of whom were invited to participate in the live audition round at the Ehrbar Saal, where some of the most influential names in music, including Johannes Brahms, have performed.
The international panel of judges consisted of renowned pianists and piano professors, who were tasked with awarding the prizes and selecting those who would perform in the prize winners’ concert at the Glass Hall at the Vienna Musikverein.
Aurora prepared for the competition by practising a selection of pieces to a high level, which enabled her to select what she felt like performing nearer the time as only one piece from the Viennese classical period was mandatory. This freedom to perform her personal favourites kept her fully engaged in the run-up to the competition and enhanced her performance.
Jan Loeffler, Visiting Lecturer and Aurora’s teacher of 3 years, said: “We take pride in working with many talented and committed children and teenagers at Junior RBC. Among these, Aurora stands out as particularly hard working and immensely talented. What is more, her enthusiasm for music is truly infectious and makes everyone smile who encounters her, reminding us why we chose music and music education as a profession.
“I was truly humbled to witness first-hand how well she handled herself in Vienna, how well she was able to control her nerves, which all performers invariably encounter, and how well she performed as a result, both in the competition rounds as well as in the prize winners’ concert. The performance setting brought out the best in her and inspired her to achieve new heights of artistic and technical accomplishment. I felt privileged to be able to support her through this remarkable experience.”
Aurora’s mother, Athena, added: “Aurora thrives in the friendly and supportive environment at Junior RBC, where she particularly values the abundance of performance opportunities and the personalised study programme tailored to her individual development. She greatly admires her instrumental teachers, including those for piano, cello, and flute, whom she finds to be exceptionally inspirational, passionate, and outstanding musicians.”
Jan added: "On behalf of the entire RBC community, we would like to express our heartfelt congratulations to Aurora!"