Students from the Junior Music Programme (JMP) of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts delivered outstanding performances at the 12th Steinway China Children and Youth Piano Competition, held recently in Shanghai, clinching top honors in a field that drew tens of thousands of young pianists from across the country.
Alexander Han Zong-you, a student of the Academy’s Junior Music Programme, emerged as one of the competition’s most accomplished participants, winning both the Grand Prize and the First Prize in Professional Group A.
His achievement secures him the opportunity to represent China at the 2027 Steinway International Music Festival in Germany.
Two other JMP students also distinguished themselves at the competition. Peng On-ki was awarded the Third Prize in Amateur Group A, while Lei Chin-lam received a Merit Prize in the same category.
The 12th edition of the Steinway China Children and Youth Piano Competition attracted more than 43,000 contestants from 13 regions nationwide, making it one of the largest and most competitive piano contests for young musicians in the country.
The strong showing by the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts students highlighted the depth of training and artistic development fostered through the Academy’s Junior Music Programme.
The Junior Music Programme is widely regarded as one of Hong Kong’s most comprehensive music education pathways for gifted young musicians. Supported fully by the Academy, the program emphasizes the importance of early artistic discipline and long-term musical development.
Beyond individual instrumental instruction, the curriculum places strong focus on all-round musical training, including musicianship classes, ensemble participation, and frequent public performance opportunities. The program is designed to provide a nurturing yet rigorous environment in which young musicians can develop both technical proficiency and artistic expression.
marco.lam@singtaonewscorp.com
