Violinist Weiwei Bao & Pianist Stephy Cai
After our special composer episode last week, The Talent returns to regular programming featuring violinist Weiwei Bao & pianist Stephy Cai. Presenter Kyla Matsuura-Miller and season mentor Kevin Tamanini are joined by guest mentor John Noble. Read on to find out more about them!
Weiwei Bao
Violin
Weiwei is a 14-year-old music scholar at Caulfield Grammar School. She has been studying the violin since the age of 5 and is now under the tutelage of Sophie Rowell. A keen performer and competitor, Weiwei has received awards at several eisteddfods, including 1st place in the Monash Youth Music Festival’s 18 & Under section in 2025. She participated in the AYO Symphonists earlier this year and the Melbourne Conservatorium Chamber Music Academy program.
Stephy Cai
Piano
Stephy Cai, 12, is a Music Scholarship recipient at Ivanhoe Girls Grammar School and studies piano with Richard Liu. She has achieved multiple First Place awards at Ringwood, Monash Youth and Boroondara Eisteddfods. In 2025, she successfully completed the AMEB AMusA examination with Distinction, earning recognition for her outstanding performance.
John Noble
Guest Mentor
John Noble is a violinist, educator and passionate advocate for young musicians. He performs with Orchestra Victoria, working alongside Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet and Victorian Opera, and has been a foundation tutor with Orchestra Victoria’s mOVe education programs since 2003.
In 2011, John founded Itet—John Noble’s Quartet Program, providing young string players, particularly in regional and rural communities, with access to professional mentorship, inspiring repertoire and performance opportunities. What began with two quartets has grown into a network of professionally mentored ensembles across Victoria, with Flinders Quartet as Artistic Patrons.
John is also a sought-after teacher and mentor, preparing musicians for scholarships, tertiary study and professional auditions. Outside music, he is an artist, marathon runner and 3rd Dan Black Belt in Karate.