About
As of December 2021, Chris Au is a multiple prize winner of the 2021 Sydney Eisteddfod: in particular, earning 1st Prize in the all the Open Age categories of Chopin Piano, 19th Century Piano, and Russian Piano. In August 2021, the Young Concert Artists International Piano Competition of the WPTA Thailand awarded Chris with the Gold Award and WPTA Thailand Artist Award for his performances of Beethoven and Chopin.
Celebrated for his ‘intimate dialogue between him…and the audience’ (Barrie Examiner), Chris Au is a 1st Prizewinner of the 2020 Sound Espressivo Global Competition (specializing in the Music Ambassador Category), Prizewinner of the 2020 Texas State International Piano Concerto Competition, Semi-Finalist of the 2020 Maestro Art Taiwan International Piano Competition, and Prizewinner of the 2016 Shean Piano Competition.
Since his return to Sydney, he has presented Charity Concerts to raise money for Arthritis NSW and raise awareness to Auto-Immune Chronic Diseases and to encourage others who may be suffering. So far, he has raised over $4000. His virtual concerts with Virtual Concert Halls and Polyphony Arts have been internationally acclaimed. Most recently, he was invited by the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC to perform at the New South Wales Government House.
Chris Au was born in Hong Kong and raised in Sydney, Australia. He began serious studies at the age of 14 upon his acceptance in the studio of renowned Australian pedagogue Margaret Hair. Since studying with her, Chris received accolades such as 1st Prize in the 2010 Sydney Eisteddfod Recital Award and at the Parramatta Eisteddfod.
His progress was significantly hindered for a few years when he was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of 16. Under the care of Dr. Jeffrey Chaitow, he continues to take fortnightly biologic injections to keep the condition under control.
His first musical experience overseas brought him to Germany, where he won the Audience 1st Prize at the 2010 Klaviersommer Bad Bertrich whilst under the tutelage of Professor John Perry. Inspired by this experience, Chris began to pursue a career in music.
Chris began his Undergraduate studies at The Colburn School with Ory Shihor, and continued them John Perry and David Louie at the Glenn Gould School of Music of the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto. There, he also attained his Artist Diploma. During that time, he was generously sponsored by the Full-Tuition Joan and Jerry Lozinski Scholarship, and has performed in Koerner Hall.
In May of 2020, Chris completed his Masters of Music Degree with Jean Saulnier and Jeanne Amiele at the University of Montreal. He is currently pursuing his D.E.P.A. at the University of Montreal with Jean Saulnier and Charles Richard-Hamelin.
He has won scholarships to many summer festivals including the Banff Centre, the Orford Music Festival, the John Perry Academy, the Gijon International Piano Festival, the International Holland Music Sessions, and the Kawai Sydney International Piano Festival. He has had the great opportunity to work in Masterclasses with legendary artists such as Menahem Pressler, Leon Fleisher, Richard Goode, Krzysztof Jablonski, Daniel Shapiro, Anton Nel, Andre Leplante, Marc Durand, Marietta Orlov, and Robert McDonald.
His inspired performances have secured multiple re-engagements particularly at the Barrie Concert Association, where he is a regular guest artist of the Midday with Shigeru Concert Series, as well as their Pianofest. He is also a regular guest artist at both Concerts@100 of Toronto and Clearly Musical Home Concerts.
Chris also works at Virtual Concert Halls as Live Broadcast Host, Social Media Manager, and Judge of the 2021 Sound Espressivo Global Competition.