Adjudication Panel
Adjudication Panel
Nancy Tsou
Nancy Tsou is an Australian pianist and dedicated music educator whose passion for the piano has left an indelible mark on both the performance and the education sector in Australia. She is the Co-Founder and Chief Adjudicator of the Melbourne Star International Music Competition. Nancy is currently a senior piano examiner with the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB). With a career spanning several decades, Ms Tsou has worked extensively throughout Australia, the USA, and China presenting recitals, workshops, and masterclasses.
Born in South Africa, Ms. Tsou began her music education in Argentina at the age of five. In her youth, she received a scholarship from the University of Melbourne and studied piano with Ronald Farren-Price before undertaking post-graduate studies. After receiving a master’s degree in music performance, she has served as a lecturer at the University of Melbourne, Monash University, and Wollongong University. Ms Tsou has toured extensively in Australia, USA, and China, and has given master classes at five of the most prestigious conservatories, including the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. As one of the most sought-after piano pedagogues, many of Ms Tsou’s piano students have won competitions across Australia and received full music scholarship from prestigious universities, private schools, and state-owned elite schools across the world.
Ms Tsou has recorded two CDs between 2016 and 2023, ‘Nocturnes by Chopin’ and ‘Latin Muse’, both of which have been broadcast by the Australian ABC-FM and the 3MBS radio station. They are also available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and iTunes. As commented by Kenneth Hince (The Age), ‘her work truly embodies the romantic spirit of music - what many call its inner poetry'. She is currently working on her new album 'The Complete Preludes Op.28 by Chopin', which is expected to release in 2024.
Born in South Africa, Ms. Tsou began her music education in Argentina at the age of five. In her youth, she received a scholarship from the University of Melbourne and studied piano with Ronald Farren-Price before undertaking post-graduate studies. After receiving a master’s degree in music performance, she has served as a lecturer at the University of Melbourne, Monash University, and Wollongong University. Ms Tsou has toured extensively in Australia, USA, and China, and has given master classes at five of the most prestigious conservatories, including the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. As one of the most sought-after piano pedagogues, many of Ms Tsou’s piano students have won competitions across Australia and received full music scholarship from prestigious universities, private schools, and state-owned elite schools across the world.
Ms Tsou has recorded two CDs between 2016 and 2023, ‘Nocturnes by Chopin’ and ‘Latin Muse’, both of which have been broadcast by the Australian ABC-FM and the 3MBS radio station. They are also available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and iTunes. As commented by Kenneth Hince (The Age), ‘her work truly embodies the romantic spirit of music - what many call its inner poetry'. She is currently working on her new album 'The Complete Preludes Op.28 by Chopin', which is expected to release in 2024.
Jingbai Zhu
Professor Jingbai Zhu is the 24th generation descendant of Zhu Xi, world-renown Chinese philosopher and educator in the Song dynasty. He currently teaches at Tianjin Conservatory of Music as a professor. He also serves as the president of the National Electronic Accordion Research Society, a jury member of the IBLA International Music Competition in Italy, the president of Tianjin Angel Culture and Art Training School, and the director of Zhu Jingbai International Education Centre for Music and Technology. In 2023, Professor Zhu was appointed as the Honorary Advisor of J&S International Education Group. He is also the co-founder of the Melbourne Star International Music Competition.
Professor Zhu once studied conducting with Xiaoying Zhen, China’s first female symphony conductor. Now he performs extensively both in China and internationally as an accordionist, a composer, and a conductor. His performances have taken him to the USA, Italy, Japan, and Australia. In 2008, he won the grand prize in the second International Accordion Competition in Rome, Italy. In 2009, he won the first prize of the International Accordion Championship in Australia and was awarded as the best composer, performer, and music educator. In 2012, he was the first-prize winner of the electronic accordion division at the 71st ATG International Accordion Competition in USA. In 2018, the original IBLA ‘Terracotta Warriors’ composed by Professor Zhu won the Outstanding Composer Award at the 27th Italian International Music Competition, as well as the Outstanding Conductor Award and the Outstanding Performer Award by conducting the Tianjin Star Sky Electronic Symphony Orchestra.
Professor Zhu once studied conducting with Xiaoying Zhen, China’s first female symphony conductor. Now he performs extensively both in China and internationally as an accordionist, a composer, and a conductor. His performances have taken him to the USA, Italy, Japan, and Australia. In 2008, he won the grand prize in the second International Accordion Competition in Rome, Italy. In 2009, he won the first prize of the International Accordion Championship in Australia and was awarded as the best composer, performer, and music educator. In 2012, he was the first-prize winner of the electronic accordion division at the 71st ATG International Accordion Competition in USA. In 2018, the original IBLA ‘Terracotta Warriors’ composed by Professor Zhu won the Outstanding Composer Award at the 27th Italian International Music Competition, as well as the Outstanding Conductor Award and the Outstanding Performer Award by conducting the Tianjin Star Sky Electronic Symphony Orchestra.
Glenn Riddle
Glenn Riddle is currently a Senior Lecturer in Keyboard at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, a Research Associate at the University of Waikato, NZ, and a Visiting Professor at Nanjing University of the Arts in China. He serves as an AMEB Federal Examiner and is a member of the AMEB International Examining Panel. Beyond academia, Glenn is the Senior Music Critic for the online cultural magazine Classic Melbourne and a member of the National Committee for the Australasian Piano Pedagogy Conference. He also serves as a Board Director of the Victorian Music Teachers Association and holds the roles of Vice President and Artistic Advisor for the Camberwell Music Society.
Glenn studied piano at the University of Melbourne with Ronald Farren-Price before undertaking post-graduate studies at the Royal College of Music, London with Peter Wallfisch and the University for Music and the Performing Arts in Vienna with Paul Badura-Skoda. Glenn has worked extensively throughout Asia, USA, Australia and New Zealand presenting recitals, pedagogy workshops, masterclasses, examining and adjudicating. Glenn has recorded 15 CDs for labels such as ABC Classics, Move Records, Tall Poppies and Hal Leonard, and is also featured on the internationally acclaimed DVD Classical Destinations III performing the works of Percy Grainger on the composer’s own piano held at the Grainger Museum. His latest CD features the chamber music for piano and strings by Australian composer Christine McCombe.
As Australia’s leading piano pedagogues, Glenn’s students have won prizes in international competitions across Europe, Asia, and the USA. Domestically, they have secured major awards in every significant Australian competition, including recent first and second prizes in the Lev Vlassenko Competition in Brisbane. His students have also performed concertos with the Queensland, Sydney, and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras, Orchestra Victoria, and internationally with ensembles such as the Russian State Academic Symphony Orchestra, Salzburg Chamber Soloists, Helsinki Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ningbo Symphony Orchestra, Morocco Philharmonic, Thailand Philharmonic, Hanoi Philharmonic, and Jakarta Concert Orchestra.
Glenn studied piano at the University of Melbourne with Ronald Farren-Price before undertaking post-graduate studies at the Royal College of Music, London with Peter Wallfisch and the University for Music and the Performing Arts in Vienna with Paul Badura-Skoda. Glenn has worked extensively throughout Asia, USA, Australia and New Zealand presenting recitals, pedagogy workshops, masterclasses, examining and adjudicating. Glenn has recorded 15 CDs for labels such as ABC Classics, Move Records, Tall Poppies and Hal Leonard, and is also featured on the internationally acclaimed DVD Classical Destinations III performing the works of Percy Grainger on the composer’s own piano held at the Grainger Museum. His latest CD features the chamber music for piano and strings by Australian composer Christine McCombe.
As Australia’s leading piano pedagogues, Glenn’s students have won prizes in international competitions across Europe, Asia, and the USA. Domestically, they have secured major awards in every significant Australian competition, including recent first and second prizes in the Lev Vlassenko Competition in Brisbane. His students have also performed concertos with the Queensland, Sydney, and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras, Orchestra Victoria, and internationally with ensembles such as the Russian State Academic Symphony Orchestra, Salzburg Chamber Soloists, Helsinki Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ningbo Symphony Orchestra, Morocco Philharmonic, Thailand Philharmonic, Hanoi Philharmonic, and Jakarta Concert Orchestra.
Tamara Smolyar
Born to a family of four generations of musicians, Dr Tamara Smolyar, an internationally acclaimed, multi-award-winning pianist, chamber musician and pedagogue represents the finest traditions of the Russian Piano School. She holds a Bachelor of Music with Honours from the Kiev State Conservatorium of Music (Ukraine), a master’s degree from the University of Melbourne (Australia), and a PhD from Monash University (Australia). She is currently an examiner with the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) and the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA). She is also a piano staff member at Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne, Australia.
Dr. Smolyar has made numerous radio and TV recordings for national and international broadcasters, commercial recordings on labels which include Cantor Productions, Move, Schimmel International Artists Collection, Vox Australis and Toccata Classics. Her solo recitals, concerto, and chamber music performances, along with her involvement in masterclasses and competition adjudication, have brought her to numerous prestigious venues across three continents, including the former USSR, Romania, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia. She has played with internationally renowned musicians and conductors from Australia, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Romania, Russia, Switzerland, UK and the USA. A number of composers including T. Gould, J. Hammond, A. Pavlova, N. Fidge, J. Suprana, A. Dokumentov, A. Halliday, T. Reiner, I. Cibisescu-Duran, K. Fujimura, L. Teodorescu-Ciocanea, have written music for her as a soloist and a chamber music performer. In 1999 she founded Duo Chamber Mélange with renowned violinist Ivana Tomaskova.
From 1994 to 2018, Tamara Smolyar was a Senior Lecturer in Music Performance and Head of Piano at the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music, Monash University, Melbourne. As a highly sought-after pedagogue, she has developed the talents of many musicians to a high standard of performance, instilling solid technique and a deep appreciation for piano literature. Her approach has led to numerous students winning national and international competitions and securing positions as pianists and teachers worldwide.
Dr. Smolyar has made numerous radio and TV recordings for national and international broadcasters, commercial recordings on labels which include Cantor Productions, Move, Schimmel International Artists Collection, Vox Australis and Toccata Classics. Her solo recitals, concerto, and chamber music performances, along with her involvement in masterclasses and competition adjudication, have brought her to numerous prestigious venues across three continents, including the former USSR, Romania, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia. She has played with internationally renowned musicians and conductors from Australia, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Romania, Russia, Switzerland, UK and the USA. A number of composers including T. Gould, J. Hammond, A. Pavlova, N. Fidge, J. Suprana, A. Dokumentov, A. Halliday, T. Reiner, I. Cibisescu-Duran, K. Fujimura, L. Teodorescu-Ciocanea, have written music for her as a soloist and a chamber music performer. In 1999 she founded Duo Chamber Mélange with renowned violinist Ivana Tomaskova.
From 1994 to 2018, Tamara Smolyar was a Senior Lecturer in Music Performance and Head of Piano at the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music, Monash University, Melbourne. As a highly sought-after pedagogue, she has developed the talents of many musicians to a high standard of performance, instilling solid technique and a deep appreciation for piano literature. Her approach has led to numerous students winning national and international competitions and securing positions as pianists and teachers worldwide.
Michael Giddens
Dr Michael Giddens is an experienced piano teacher and music educator based in Melbourne. He is presently involved in his own private studio and an examiner for the AMEB. Michael studied piano with Margaret Schofield, a distinguished pupil of the English pianist Solomon. At the University of Melbourne, he completed a bachelor’s degree in music, a master’s degree in education and a PhD. The latter involved a study of how instrumental musicianship may be acquired through the educational methods of Dalcroze, Kodaly, Orff, and Suzuki. This dissertation was awarded the University of Melbourne Freda Cohen Award.
At Wisconsin University, Michael studied Duo Piano with Dallas Weekley and Nancy Arganbright, and from Le Institute Jaques-Dalcroze, Geneva, he was awarded the Licentiate. In Melbourne he has taught Pianoforte, Aural and Music History at Deakin University and the Melba Conservatorium of Music.
Michael also enjoys being a jury member for the International Hong Kong Pianoforte Competition. He has presented at music conferences in Australia, the USA, Korea, and Japan. Alongside music, Michael is a fine artist and has won prizes through the Victorian Artists Gallery.
Michael also enjoys being a jury member for the International Hong Kong Pianoforte Competition. He has presented at music conferences in Australia, the USA, Korea, and Japan. Alongside music, Michael is a fine artist and has won prizes through the Victorian Artists Gallery.
Anna Daniel
Anna Daniel is a performance graduate from the VCA at the University of Melbourne. She is currently an examiner with the AMEB and VCAA. Since the 1980s, Anna has gained extensive experience as a freelance cellist. She has performed with ensembles such as the Australian Pops Orchestra, The Melbourne Musicians, the VSO, and the MTC as a soloist, as well as with various chamber groups and theatre productions. Anna has given solo and chamber recitals across Victoria and has played in support ensembles for renowned artists including Stephane Grappelli, Anne Murray, Paul Simon, Peter Allen, John Denver, John Farnham, Harry Secombe, James Morrison, and Marina Prior.
Anna has over 40 years of teaching experience across various schools and institutions in Melbourne. Her previous roles include Head of Strings at Lauriston Girls’ School and Yarra Valley Grammar, as well as Head of Cello at Loreto Mandeville Hall. She has adjudicated numerous Eisteddfods in Melbourne and regional Victoria, conducted masterclasses in Victoria and New South Wales, and delivered numerous workshops on string pedagogy. As a devoted music educator, she now operates a private practice, teaching cello students of all levels, from beginner to diploma, ranging in age from 7 to 80 years old.
Anna has over 40 years of teaching experience across various schools and institutions in Melbourne. Her previous roles include Head of Strings at Lauriston Girls’ School and Yarra Valley Grammar, as well as Head of Cello at Loreto Mandeville Hall. She has adjudicated numerous Eisteddfods in Melbourne and regional Victoria, conducted masterclasses in Victoria and New South Wales, and delivered numerous workshops on string pedagogy. As a devoted music educator, she now operates a private practice, teaching cello students of all levels, from beginner to diploma, ranging in age from 7 to 80 years old.
Mia Yang
Mia Yang is an experienced music educator and accomplished violinist based in Melbourne. She holds a bachelor with honours degree in music and a master’s degree in music performance from the University of Melbourne. As a professional violinist, Mia has performed extensively across China, the United Kingdom and Australia, including appearances in regional cities throughout Victoria. Her numerous recital and concerto engagements have featured celebrated works such as Wieniawski’s Violin Concerto No. 2 (Op. 22), Mozart’s Violin Concerto in D Major, K. 218, Beethoven’s Romance in G Major and Haydn’s Violin Concerto in C Major, Hob. VIIa:1.
In 2018, Mia was invited to tour the United Kingdom, delivering both solo recitals and concerto performances. She returned in January 2019 for a highly successful follow-up tour, highlighted by her performance of Saint-Saëns’ Violin Concerto in B Minor in the Great Hall at Goodenough College. During this tour, Mia also collaborated with concert pianist David Soo for a violin and piano recital in Brighton, UK. Her performance earned high praise from Fringe Review UK (2019), which described her playing as ‘... Yang’s great strength, apart from her consummate technical finesse, is a rich-toned violin, often dark-hued and digging quite deep into viola-like sonorities … Yang also shows in the Massenet, in particular, a capacity for rapt romantic tone in the highest reaches, an expressiveness that’s both romantic and winning. Nothing’s overdone, but Yang exudes a remarkably warm presence.’
Mia, a dedicated violin teacher, runs MiYang’s Strings Teaching Studio and Student Orchestra. Renowned for her expertise in building a strong technical foundation and developing advanced violin techniques, Mia shares her extensive performance experience with numerous advanced students. Mia's students have earned scholarships, excelled in AMEB exams, achieved AMusA and LMusA, and received top VCE Music Performance results.
In 2018, Mia was invited to tour the United Kingdom, delivering both solo recitals and concerto performances. She returned in January 2019 for a highly successful follow-up tour, highlighted by her performance of Saint-Saëns’ Violin Concerto in B Minor in the Great Hall at Goodenough College. During this tour, Mia also collaborated with concert pianist David Soo for a violin and piano recital in Brighton, UK. Her performance earned high praise from Fringe Review UK (2019), which described her playing as ‘... Yang’s great strength, apart from her consummate technical finesse, is a rich-toned violin, often dark-hued and digging quite deep into viola-like sonorities … Yang also shows in the Massenet, in particular, a capacity for rapt romantic tone in the highest reaches, an expressiveness that’s both romantic and winning. Nothing’s overdone, but Yang exudes a remarkably warm presence.’
Mia, a dedicated violin teacher, runs MiYang’s Strings Teaching Studio and Student Orchestra. Renowned for her expertise in building a strong technical foundation and developing advanced violin techniques, Mia shares her extensive performance experience with numerous advanced students. Mia's students have earned scholarships, excelled in AMEB exams, achieved AMusA and LMusA, and received top VCE Music Performance results.
Anna Robinson
Anna Robinson is a Melbourne-based piano teacher and composer, and currently teaches at her private studio and two government schools. She is also a represented Pedagogical Associate Artist with the Australian Music Centre.
After graduating from University College London, Anna worked in administrative roles in classical music in London for several years before moving to Melbourne, where she became an artist manager then associate director at Jenifer Eddy Artists’ Management, a leading agency for local and international opera singers and conductors. Whilst working full-time, Anna gained performing and teaching diplomas in piano, worked for several years concurrently as a piano teacher and artist manager, before leaving artist management to focus solely on teaching.
In the teaching studio, Anna places an emphasis on developing music literacy skills so that young pianists may later enjoy the richness and diversity of the piano’s repertoire. Her belief that engagement with repertoire plays a crucial part in sustaining students’ interest led her to start composing pedagogical pieces for her students. Over the past three years, Anna has self-published three books of pedagogical piano compositions, many of which are in the current ANZCA classical piano and modern piano exam syllabi across grades 1-5.
After graduating from University College London, Anna worked in administrative roles in classical music in London for several years before moving to Melbourne, where she became an artist manager then associate director at Jenifer Eddy Artists’ Management, a leading agency for local and international opera singers and conductors. Whilst working full-time, Anna gained performing and teaching diplomas in piano, worked for several years concurrently as a piano teacher and artist manager, before leaving artist management to focus solely on teaching.
In the teaching studio, Anna places an emphasis on developing music literacy skills so that young pianists may later enjoy the richness and diversity of the piano’s repertoire. Her belief that engagement with repertoire plays a crucial part in sustaining students’ interest led her to start composing pedagogical pieces for her students. Over the past three years, Anna has self-published three books of pedagogical piano compositions, many of which are in the current ANZCA classical piano and modern piano exam syllabi across grades 1-5.
Anthony Schulz
Anthony Schulz is an experienced music educator and accomplished accordionist. He has dedicated his life to the art of music, exploring and showcasing the versatility and refinement of the piano accordion. With a career spanning several decades, Anthony continues to connect the past, present and future of the instrument and shape the perception of the instrument on the Australian musical landscape.
Anthony Schulz holds a bachelor’s degree in music from the Victorian College of the Arts, a master’s degree in music and a graduate diploma of education from the University of Melbourne. Anthony embarked on his journey as a tertiary music teacher in the early 1990s. After more than 30 years of teaching he holds fast to the belief that the experience of music can be transformative for participants of all ages, abilities, and intentions. Anthony's influence also extends beyond the stage and the classroom, as the President of the Accordion Society of Australia in Victoria, he has demonstrated a focused commitment to the expansion and advancement of the organisation through the promotion of the accordion in the public sphere.
As a seasoned performer, Anthony has graced the stage with numerous highly acclaimed ensembles and projects. From Luciano Pavarotti to ECM’s Barre Phillips and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra to ARIA award winning Zulya and the Children of the Underground, his musical vision extends across various genres. Notable collaborations include the contemporary new work ensemble Ball Hanlon Schulz, and the musette quartet Langue de Chat. In 2023 Anthony also served as a jury member at the Australian Accordion Teachers Association (AATA) accordion 2023 international championships in Sydney, Australia as well as presenting at the Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG) conference and competition in Chicago, USA.
Anthony Schulz holds a bachelor’s degree in music from the Victorian College of the Arts, a master’s degree in music and a graduate diploma of education from the University of Melbourne. Anthony embarked on his journey as a tertiary music teacher in the early 1990s. After more than 30 years of teaching he holds fast to the belief that the experience of music can be transformative for participants of all ages, abilities, and intentions. Anthony's influence also extends beyond the stage and the classroom, as the President of the Accordion Society of Australia in Victoria, he has demonstrated a focused commitment to the expansion and advancement of the organisation through the promotion of the accordion in the public sphere.
As a seasoned performer, Anthony has graced the stage with numerous highly acclaimed ensembles and projects. From Luciano Pavarotti to ECM’s Barre Phillips and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra to ARIA award winning Zulya and the Children of the Underground, his musical vision extends across various genres. Notable collaborations include the contemporary new work ensemble Ball Hanlon Schulz, and the musette quartet Langue de Chat. In 2023 Anthony also served as a jury member at the Australian Accordion Teachers Association (AATA) accordion 2023 international championships in Sydney, Australia as well as presenting at the Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG) conference and competition in Chicago, USA.
Jessica Yu
Jessica Yu is an experienced music educator. She has more than 20 years of teaching experience and has students all over the world, mainly from China, Australia, the USA, and Canada. She is the founder, managing director and artistic director of J&S International Education Group, the artistic director of Tianjin Angel Culture and Art Training School, and the vice-chair of the founding committee of the Melbourne Star International Music Competition. She has served as a senior examiner of the Tianjin Conservatory of Music Examination Committee and has been appointed as the artistic director of many art festivals in China. She has recently been invited to be a jury member of 2024 China’s Second Northern Piano Performance.
Jessica holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Tianjin Conservatory of Music, majoring in piano and minoring in composition. Her music education began at the age of six. In her youth, she demonstrated outstanding musical talent and teaching skills. In addition to piano performance, Jessica has also completed in-depth research towards composition, acoustics, music theory and other areas.
As a music educator, Jessica focuses on cultivating students' performance skills. She encourages students to actively participate in various music activities to build self-confidence and showcase their talents. As an adjudicator, Jessica has earned a reputation as a respectful and fair assessor. Her extensive knowledge of piano repertoire coupled with her thorough observation of the details of every performance allows her to provide candidates with constructive feedback whilst inspiring them to reach their potential.
Jessica holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Tianjin Conservatory of Music, majoring in piano and minoring in composition. Her music education began at the age of six. In her youth, she demonstrated outstanding musical talent and teaching skills. In addition to piano performance, Jessica has also completed in-depth research towards composition, acoustics, music theory and other areas.
As a music educator, Jessica focuses on cultivating students' performance skills. She encourages students to actively participate in various music activities to build self-confidence and showcase their talents. As an adjudicator, Jessica has earned a reputation as a respectful and fair assessor. Her extensive knowledge of piano repertoire coupled with her thorough observation of the details of every performance allows her to provide candidates with constructive feedback whilst inspiring them to reach their potential.
Mingyuan Ruan
Dr. Mingyuan Ruan is a famous accordion who often performs in the UK. She is an associate-professor at the School of Art of Sun Yat-sen University, a doctorate in performance from the Royal Academy of Music, a classical artist at CMF in London, UK, an expert reviewer from the Education Examination Agency of the Ministry of Education, the deputy secretary-general of the China Electronic Accordion Research Association, and the deputy director of Accordion at Guangdong Academy of Aesthetic Education.
Dr. Ruan has performed throughout the world, including the USA, the UK, Italy, France, Germany, Hungary, Russia, and Spain. She has also won numerous awards in various international competitions, including the "Outstanding Musician Award" at the 27th IBLA Grand Prize International Music Competition in Italy and was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York; the 3rd Berlin International Music Competition Special Gold Medal in Music Competition. She has also won a gold medal in the 2nd Vienna International Music Competition, a gold medal in the 6th Manhattan International Music Competition and first prize in the Chamber Music Group of the 64th World Cup International Accordion Competition. At the same time, Dr. Ruan published ‘Practical Accordion Learning Tutorial’, ‘Solo Album of Winning Repertoires of the Ruan Mingyuan International Accordion Competition’ and ‘Selected Repertoire of Ruan Mingyuan Accordion Chamber Music Champions’. Apart from books she has also released an album titled ‘From the Deep - Selected Collection of Ruan Mingyuan Accordion Works’.
Dr. Ruan has performed throughout the world, including the USA, the UK, Italy, France, Germany, Hungary, Russia, and Spain. She has also won numerous awards in various international competitions, including the "Outstanding Musician Award" at the 27th IBLA Grand Prize International Music Competition in Italy and was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York; the 3rd Berlin International Music Competition Special Gold Medal in Music Competition. She has also won a gold medal in the 2nd Vienna International Music Competition, a gold medal in the 6th Manhattan International Music Competition and first prize in the Chamber Music Group of the 64th World Cup International Accordion Competition. At the same time, Dr. Ruan published ‘Practical Accordion Learning Tutorial’, ‘Solo Album of Winning Repertoires of the Ruan Mingyuan International Accordion Competition’ and ‘Selected Repertoire of Ruan Mingyuan Accordion Chamber Music Champions’. Apart from books she has also released an album titled ‘From the Deep - Selected Collection of Ruan Mingyuan Accordion Works’.
Tiantian Tang
Professor Tiantian Tang currently teaches at the Tianjin Conservatory of Music and serves as the vice president of the Tianjin Instrumental Music Association, as well as the executive director of the Violin Professional Committee of the Tianjin Musicians Association.
In 1995, Professor Tang began studying violin at the Tianjin Conservatory of Music under the guidance of Professor Jixu Chen, a renowned violinist and music educator in China. In 1999, she continued her studies at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory under the guidance of Professor Gravchenko, a student of the legendary violinist Kogan. In 2003, she earned a doctorate in violin performance and advanced violin teaching with honours, having won numerous international competitions.
Professor Tang has served as an adjudicator at prestigious music events, including the Milan International Music Festival in Italy, the International Classical Music Festival in the United States, the Macau International Music Festival, the Maru International Music Festival in Busan, South Korea, and the Incheon International Music Competition in South Korea. She is also a specially appointed resident musician for the American World Artists Association. Throughout her career, Professor Tang has worked with renowned conductors both domestically and internationally, such as Wang Junshi, Li Xincao, Chen Xieyang, Shao En, Cao Ding, Dong Junjie, Zhang Lie, Yang Li, M. Shilbakov (Russia), Back Jin Hyoun (South Korea), and so on. She has performed with over 20 symphony orchestras around the world and has been invited to hold successful concerts in South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, the United States, Italy, Austria and Russia.
In 1995, Professor Tang began studying violin at the Tianjin Conservatory of Music under the guidance of Professor Jixu Chen, a renowned violinist and music educator in China. In 1999, she continued her studies at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory under the guidance of Professor Gravchenko, a student of the legendary violinist Kogan. In 2003, she earned a doctorate in violin performance and advanced violin teaching with honours, having won numerous international competitions.
Professor Tang has served as an adjudicator at prestigious music events, including the Milan International Music Festival in Italy, the International Classical Music Festival in the United States, the Macau International Music Festival, the Maru International Music Festival in Busan, South Korea, and the Incheon International Music Competition in South Korea. She is also a specially appointed resident musician for the American World Artists Association. Throughout her career, Professor Tang has worked with renowned conductors both domestically and internationally, such as Wang Junshi, Li Xincao, Chen Xieyang, Shao En, Cao Ding, Dong Junjie, Zhang Lie, Yang Li, M. Shilbakov (Russia), Back Jin Hyoun (South Korea), and so on. She has performed with over 20 symphony orchestras around the world and has been invited to hold successful concerts in South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, the United States, Italy, Austria and Russia.
Wanqi Feng
Professor Wanqi Feng is the head of the keyboard department of the affiliated music school to the Tianjin Conservatory of Music. She is also a board member of the Piano Professional Committee of the Tianjin Musicians Association. Professor Feng has completed a master’s degree and a doctoral degree at the Gnesin Music Institute in Russia and was a visiting scholar at the St. Petersburg Conservatory of Music in Russia.
During her oversea studies, Professor Feng has participated in numerous international competitions and has received awards in categories such as solo piano, chamber music, and artistic guidance. Now her students have also been successfully admitted to prestigious music schools both domestically and internationally, including the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Russia, the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich in Germany, Manhattan School of Music in the United States, Central Conservatory of Music in China, and China Conservatory of Music.
During her oversea studies, Professor Feng has participated in numerous international competitions and has received awards in categories such as solo piano, chamber music, and artistic guidance. Now her students have also been successfully admitted to prestigious music schools both domestically and internationally, including the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Russia, the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich in Germany, Manhattan School of Music in the United States, Central Conservatory of Music in China, and China Conservatory of Music.
Yin Pan
Pan Yin is a national first-class actor and the principal viola of the Tianjin Symphony Orchestra (TSO). She is also a member of the Chinese Musicians Association and serves as the vice president of the Viola Professional Committee of the Tianjin Musicians Association. She graduated from the Tianjin Conservatory of Music.
Yin has been actively performing on both domestic and international stages with the orchestra year-round, collaborating closely with world-renowned conductors and performers. She has played a wide repertoire of symphonies, operas, and other musical works, earning high acclaim. Additionally, she has toured abroad with the group, receiving invitations to perform in countries including Japan, South Korea, Italy, Mauritius, Cambodia, Indonesia, and others, where her performances were widely praised. In 2017, as a delegation of five TSO string principals, she performed at the La Scala Opera House in Italy. Yin also serves as an adjudicator for the Tianjin Cultural and Arts Performance and the Special Talent Student Selection. She is an experienced violist in chamber music and a dedicated teacher of string performance.
Yin has been actively performing on both domestic and international stages with the orchestra year-round, collaborating closely with world-renowned conductors and performers. She has played a wide repertoire of symphonies, operas, and other musical works, earning high acclaim. Additionally, she has toured abroad with the group, receiving invitations to perform in countries including Japan, South Korea, Italy, Mauritius, Cambodia, Indonesia, and others, where her performances were widely praised. In 2017, as a delegation of five TSO string principals, she performed at the La Scala Opera House in Italy. Yin also serves as an adjudicator for the Tianjin Cultural and Arts Performance and the Special Talent Student Selection. She is an experienced violist in chamber music and a dedicated teacher of string performance.
