Episode 3 of The Talent will see performances from horn player Cecilia Xu and pianist Annie Wang. Cecilia and Annie will present programmes featuring the works of Eugene Bozza, Catherine Likhuta, Carl Vine, and Ravel before receiving advice from our mentors. Continue reading to learn more about Cecilia and Annie.
Cecilia Xu
French Horn
Born in 2007, Cecilia Xu began learning the French Horn at age eight under the tutelage of Yang Xiao. She received her AMusA with distinction in 2022 and her LMusA with distinction in 2023. Cecilia has won numerous competitions including the Boroondara Eisteddfod and the Monash Youth Festival. In 2023, she received the MSV Herbert Davis Memorial Award and was a finalist in the Hephzibah Menuhin Memorial Awards. Currently in Year 12 at Melbourne Girls’ Grammar, Cecilia is the principal hornist of the orchestra, plays trumpet in the concert band and stage band, and sings in the Merton Chamber Voices choir. In 2024, she was her school’s best piano accompanist and is now Music Captain of 2025. She was also a member of Melbourne Youth Orchestra Flagship (2022-2023) and the Melbourne Conservatorium Young Artists Academy (2022).
Cecilia is also part of the MGGS Athletics Team and a Monash Young Scholar.
Cecilia will perform:
- Eugène Bozza: En Foret
- Catherine Likhuta: I Threw a Shoe at a Cat, mvts. 1 - 3
With associate artist Christopher Nankervis
Annie Wang
Piano
Born in Shenyang, China, Annie (Yueming) Wang and began her piano journey at the age of six before migrating to Australia in 2009. She is currently pursuing her Master of Piano Performance under Dr. Bernadette Harvey at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. A recipient of numerous prestigious scholarships and awards, Annie has been honoured with the Bessie Cook Piano Award, the Clarence Addison Turrill Piano Scholarship, the David and Nhila Dumbrell Scholarship, and more.
With a strong passion for 20th-century and contemporary music, she is particularly drawn to the works of Ravel, Prokofiev, and Vine. She has also premiered new compositions by Australian composers, she enjoys exploring and expanding the modern piano repertoire. Dedicated to both solo and chamber performance, Annie continues to shape her artistic voice through a diverse range of musical collaborations.
Annie will perform:
- C.Vine: 5 Bagatelles, no. 1 - 3
- M.Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin: 1. Prelude & 5.Toccata