Ryan Gu has delivered an exceptional performance to be named the runner-up at the 2023 Lewis Eady National Junior Piano Competition in Auckland.
Having just turned 16, the remarkable College pianist has also been recognised at the International Piano Festival in a specialist category, winning the award for the BestPerformance of a Classical Sonata. The biennial competition is open to secondary school students in New Zealand, with only six finalists selected for the grand final event.
College Director of Music Robert Aburn describes the Year 11 student as “a perfectionist”, adding that this approach “always shows in his performance work”.
In 2023, Ryan also won the Senior Instrumental Award at the annual Christ’s College Sedley Wells Competition after performing “one of the most demanding works in the Classical repertoire, Chopin’s incredible Ballade”.
Among his many other achievements, Ryan has been awarded an Honours Tie for instrumental music at College and has featured – as a member of The Berlin Trio – in the 2022 NZCT Chamber Music Finale. He already holds a Licentiate of Music from Trinity College, London (LTCL) with Distinction. In 2022, Ryan was awarded Best Performance by a Christchurch-based competitor at the National Concerto Competition.
