This week on The Talent, we welcome violinist Paulina Huang and pianist Alexandros Papatsonis to 3MBS. Paulina and Alexandros will perform works by Bach, Ravel, and Chopin before receiving advice from our guest mentors. Continue reading to learn more about Paulina and Alexandros.
Paulina Huang
Violin
Paulina Huang, a Year 12 student at St Margaret's Berwick Grammar, achieved her AMEB Licentiate with Distinction in violin performance by Year 8. In 2023, she won first place in the Music Society of Victoria and Boroondara Eisteddfod Under 18 Strings sections.
She has been involved in various orchestras and chamber ensembles, including as a member of the Melbourne Youth Orchestra's Flagship Ensemble (2022–2023), concertmaster of the Combined Schools Orchestra (2025), and current member of the Melbourne String Ensemble (MSE). She was also part of the Melbourne Conservatorium Young Artists’ Academy in 2022–2023, participating in masterclasses with faculty. In 2024, she performed as a soloist with the Ambassadorial Youth Chamber Orchestra and toured Germany and the Czech Republic with MSE, performing in concerts and masterclasses with musicians from the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic, and professors from the Stuttgart University of Performing Arts and Hanns Eisler School of Music Berlin.
Paulina will perform:
- J.S. Bach: Partita No.2, Gigue
- M. Ravel: Tzigane
With associate artist Scott Zhang
Alexandros Papatsonis
Piano
Alexandros Papatsonis, 14, is a student at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School studying piano under the tutelage of Dr. Julie Haskell. He recently achieved his Associate Diploma in Music with distinction.
Alexandros is a keen chamber musician and has performed as an orchestral pianist with the South Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Recently he performed as a soloist the Mozart double piano concerto in E flat major K365 with John Grayling and the Whitehorse symphony orchestra. A winner of international composition awards, his original works have been described as evocative and innovative. As a pianist, he has won many awards including the Phyllis McDonald Scholarship. Alex also studies harpsichord with David Macfarlane, collaborating regularly with chamber groups as a continuo player.
Outside of music, Alexandros enjoys creative writing, crafting intricate maps within imaginary worlds. He aspires to a career as a concert pianist and composer.
Alexandros will perform:
- F. Chopin, Ballade in F major, Op.38
- F. Chopin, Nocturne in C minor, Op 48 no.1