Saturday 4th October 2025 1:45pm – 2:30pm
Outstanding Young Pianists
Julie Zhang, Melody Zhao and Yinuo Xiao
Yinuo Xiao
Bach Prelude and Fugue in B flat major Bk.1
Fricker Toccata (Étude No.2)
Chopin Tarantella
Melody Zhao
Bach Prelude and Fugue in C# major Bk.1
Haydn Sonata in E flat major No. 52, 1st movement
Prokofiev Sonata No. 2, 1st movement
Julie Zhang
Beethoven Sonata Op.53, (Waldstein) 1st movement
Liszt Transcendental Étude “Feux Follets”
Stravinsky “Danse Russe” from Petrouchka
Biography
Yinuo Xiao is 11 years old. She started to learn piano in Shanghai, China at the age of 6 and completed her ABRSM Grade 3, 5 and 6 exams. When she was 9 years old, she moved to the UK and studies with Mr. Simon Bottomley. She is working towards her LTCL diploma. She has been studying at Chetham’s School of Music since September 2024.
Melody Zhao is 13 years old and started playing the piano when she was 6 years old. She is in her third year at Chetham’s School of Music where she is a pupil of Mr. Simon Bottomley. Melody has won prizes in several local music festivals and was a finalist in the EPTA piano competition in Belgium. Melody recently passed her LTCL with a high distinction.
Julie Zhang was born in 2008 and started learning piano at the age of 5. At age 6, she achieved ABRSM Grade 5 with distinction. In 2016, she entered Chetham’s School of Music, studying piano under Mr. Simon Bottomley. In 2018, Julie achieved Distinction for the ATCL Diploma. Just one year later in 2019, she achieved a High Distinction for the LTCL diploma, also the Second Prize in Category 2 for the EPTA International Piano Competition. And finally, she achieved the FTCL Diploma. Julie has also won many online competitions. Her repertoire stretches from Baroque to Modern music. Julie particularly enjoys the Romantic Period, especially the sheer beauty of Chopin. Julie also enjoys chamber music and piano concertos.
Next week – Grace Harman, Isabel Thompson (trumpets), Lauren Taylor (piano)