First prize winners of the 2024 New Zealand Piano and String Competitions, pianist Alex Bai and violinist Hayden Chiu perform together in concert in Arrowtown.

This concert epitomises the excellence of New Zealand's musical ecosystem of teachers, schools, competitions and supporters, all working together to nurture rising artists. 

Do not miss the opportunity to hear both of these outstanding 15-year old artists that have the talent and the drive to perform on the world's finest stages. They will blow us away and make us proud.

First prize winners of the 2024 New Zealand Piano and String Competitions, pianist Alex Bai and violinist Hayden Chiu present a beautifully curated programme created especially for Queenstown audiences. The evening travels from the clarity and poise of solo Bach to the virtuosic brilliance of Chopin and Sarasate, the searching intensity of Scriabin, and the lusciously romantic sweep of César Franck’s Sonata for Violin and Piano. This programme reveals both artists’ technical command and their already mature interpretive depth.

Presented in the intimate surroundings of The Lodge at The Hills and hosted by Christine, Lady Hill, the recital offers a rare opportunity to hear two exceptional rising musicians whilst they are still living in New Zealand. Tickets include a glass of wine for adults and non-alcoholic beverage for students.

A Year 10 student at Auckland Grammar School and studying with Stephen Larsen, Andrew Beer and Stephen Larsen, Hayden Chiu has already performed at Carnegie Hall. At age 11, Hayden joined the National Youth Orchestra, and was appointed Associate Concertmaster in 2023.  He has performed as an Emerging Artist with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and will be soloing with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra this year.  In 2025, Hayden reached the Semi-Finals of the Senior Category at the Ysaÿe International Music Competition.

Also a Year 10 student, Alex Bai attends Dilworth School. He began his piano studies in California with Tianhui Zhang and currently studies with Stephen De Pledge. A Trinity LTCL Diploma holder at age 11, Alex won second prize at the International Piano Competition Kronberg (Germany).  He has been a New Zealand Star Idol winner, and performed as a soloist with both the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Auckland Philharmonia.