Shan Liu

At 16, Shan Liu is rapidly emerging as one of New Zealand’s most exceptional young classical musicians. Under the guidance of renowned pianist Stephen De Pledge, Shan has achieved remarkable success on both national and international stages, earning recognition for his artistry and musical maturity far beyond his years.

Shan has won top prizes at major global competitions, including the Grand Jury Prize at the 8th Macao International Piano Competition, Grand Gold Prize at the Pacific Rim International Music Competition, and Gold Award at the GOCAA New York International Music Competition. He also secured First Place at the César Franck International Piano Competition in Belgium and at the International Piano Competition for Young Musicians in the Netherlands.

In New Zealand, Shan was the youngest-ever winner of the Lewis Eady National Junior Piano Competition (2023) and the National Concerto Competition (2025). In 2024, he earned both the GOCAA Young Artist Award and the AIMES Emerging Talent Award and became the first New Zealand pianist invited to the prestigious Morningside Music Bridge Program at the New England Conservatory in Boston.

In 2024 he was a soloist with the NZSO National Youth Orchestra and will perform again with the NZSO in its 2026 season. He has performed with many other New Zealand orchestras, including the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, APO Chamber Orchestra, Auckland Youth Orchestra, Manukau Symphony Orchestra and Auckland Symphony Orchestra.

Shan has performed at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, Auckland Town Hall, Christchurch Town Hall, and the Michael Fowler Centre. His solo recital at the 2022 Beethoven Orbit Music Festival in Aachen, Germany, received acclaim for its technical brilliance and emotive interpretation.