The Talent 2026 Season 1 Episode 9: Harmonica Trio Do Re Mi and Pianist Ben Fu

The Talent 2026 Season 1 Episode 9: Harmonica Trio Do Re Mi and Pianist Ben Fu

On this week's episode we welcome harmonica trio Do Re Mi alongside pianist Ben Fu to perform works by composers such as Liszt, Haydn and more. The contestants will receive feedback from guest mentor Chris Maunders and season mentor Daniel Le. Read on to learn more about the performers!

Do Re Mi

Harmonica Trio

Do Re Mi Harmonica Trio 

Do Re Mi Harmonica Trio is formed by three siblings from Taiwan — Ashton Cheng, Erica Cheng, and Adams Cheng. In 2024, they relocated to Melbourne, Australia as international students, continuing their musical journey while embracing a new cultural environment. 

The name “Do Re Mi” traces back to their kindergarten years. At dismissal time, teachers would announce, “Ashton Cheng, Erica Cheng, Adams Cheng…” — a tongue-twisting routine. One day, the announcement naturally evolved into: “Do Re Mi, time to go home.” At that time, music was the one area the children had barely explored, yet this playful nickname became their first and only connection to music. 

In year 3, students were allowed to choose an extracurricular activity. Ashton hesitated between sports and visual arts. Their mother gently suggested music and despite not coming from a musical family, Ashton faced the unknown and chose harmonica without hesitation. 

Erica naturally followed her older brother’s footsteps and began learning harmonica as well. As for the youngest, Adams, family logistics left him little choice but to join too. 

After joining the harmonica club, they were selected to enter the school harmonica orchestra. Their teacher intentionally guided each sibling to specialize in different types of harmonicas, fostering versatility and balance within the ensemble. When Adams also advanced into the orchestra, the three officially formed the Do Re Mi Harmonica Trio. 

Beyond regular school performances, they have represented their school in national ensemble and solo competitions organized by Taiwan’s education authorities. They have also participated in the Taiwan International Harmonica Festival (THMF) and the Seoul International Harmonica Festival (SIHF) in South Korea. 

Music has become a unique bond within their family — a space where their parents, unable to “correct” or instruct, could only applaud with tears of pride when the children first played “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” 

Selected Awards 

  • 2021 Seoul Harmonica Festival (South Korea) 
    Primary School Trio Division – 2nd Prize 

  • 2022 Taiwan Harmonica Competition 
    Open Age Trio Division – 1st Prize 

  • 2023 Taiwan International Harmonica Festival 
    Junior Trio Division – 2nd Prize 
    Youth Trio Division – 3rd Prize 

  • 2023 Seoul International Harmonica Festival (South Korea) 
    Adult Trio Division – 4th Prize 
    High School Trio Division – 5th Prize 

  • 2025 Australia Strike A Chord 
    World Instrument Prize 

 

Over the past seven years, the Do Re Mi Harmonica Trio has explored a wide and diverse repertoire, including classical, jazz, Latin, Japanese anime, and Taiwanese works. Among their classical performances, Carmen Fantasy, Parisienne Fantasie, and Poet and Peasant Overture  have brought them recognition, earning awards in competitions in Korea, Taiwan, and Australia. Anime music, however, remains especially close to their hearts. 

Ashton shares that his favorite piece is “Castle in the Sky.” It was one of the first major works he performed after joining the harmonica orchestra, and he continues to play it to this day. Each time he performs it, the lyrical melody deeply moves him. 

Erica treasures “Letter to My Fifteen-Year-Old Self.” It was the ensemble piece she performed at her first international competition, and the experience remains unforgettable. 

Adams chooses “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis.” Having watched the anime himself, he feels connected to the storyline whenever he plays the piece, making each performance especially vivid and meaningful. 
 

In 2025, the trio originally planned to compete in the World Harmonica Championship, a prestigious event held every four years in Germany. However, after relocating to Australia, time constraints and financial considerations made it impossible for them to participate. Although this brought a sense of disappointment, the change in plans led to unexpected opportunities. 

Through their participation in the Strike A Chord Workshop and Championship in Australia, the trio experienced new artistic growth. Under the guidance of Mr. Yoyo Su, they developed a deeper sensitivity to musical detail and interpretation. His mentorship encouraged them to refine phrasing, tone color, and expressive nuance, allowing them to approach their repertoire with greater maturity and insight. 

 

Do Re Mi will perform:

  • George Enescu: Romanian Rhapsody
  • Ralph Vaughan William: English Folk Song Suite 1&3
    • 1. Seventeen Come Sunday
    • 2. Folk Songs from Somerset     

Ben Fu

Piano

20-year-old Ben Fu is a 3rd year student at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, studying piano with Glenn Riddle. He has won both Preston Symphony Concerto Competition and the Boroondara Concerto Competition and made his concerto debut in 2022 performing Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No 3 with the Preston Symphony Orchestra. Other awards include winning the Ballarat Celebrating Chopin Competition, the PolMusicA National Music Competition. Ben is a keen chamber music player, and recitalist. In 2023, Ben was invited to perform in the ‘Showcase series’ in Sydney International Piano Competition, performing Ravel’s Scarbo from Gaspard de la Nuit. In 2024 Ben was invited to perform Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No 2 in C minor with both the Whitehorse Orchestra and the Maroondah Symphony Orchestra. 

 

Ben will perform:

- Franz Liszt - Mazeppa from Transcendental Etudes, S.139 No.4 (8’20) 

- Joseph Haydn - 1st movement of Sonata in B flat Major, XVI41 (4’00)