Highlights
CONGRATULATIONS!
Piano Pillars Academy students' dedication and love for music has led to many achievements over the years.
Some of the more recent achievements by students highlighted at this time include piano competition prizes, leadership roles, and coveted music scholarships to private secondary schools in New Zealand and Australia.
For the 2025 year, all intermediate and advanced Piano Pillars Academy students earned at least one award each, whether it be an exam achievement, competition prize, or a music scholarship, with some students winning multiple prizes.
Congratulations to all!
Renee Jiang
During her journey with Piano Pillars, Renee achieved many awards, including the 2024 Irene Lassen Cup for signifacant musical promise and her outstanding ABRSM Grade 8 piano performance exam (scoring a whopping 147 out of 150 marks) - this cup is awarded annually to a student in Christchurch chosen from across all instruments during the entire year from Grade 8 and Diploma level candidates.
Renee was also awarded music scholarships to a top-tier private school for years 7 and 8, as well as all of high school.
Renee is also a prizewinner of multiple piano competition awards from the Christchurch Competition Society Instrumental Music Competition and The Cathedral Grammar School, among others.
Tony Chen
During his studies at Piano Pillars, Tony was awarded music scholarships to a top-tier private school for years 7 and 8, as well as all of high school. Tony was also offered music scholarships to two other private schools.
During his journey with Piano Pillars, Tony received multiple piano competition awards from the Christchurch Competition Society Instrumental Music Competition, The Cathedral Grammar School, and the 2022 Aegio International Piano Competition at the National stage.
Tony passed ABRSM Grade 7 and Grade 8 piano performance exams both with distinction.
Chloe Sha
Chloe was awarded both a music and academic scholarship at a private school in the Gold Coast, Australia, thus receiving all tuition paid for years 7-12.
Earlier in 2025, Chloe also passed ABRSM Grade 5 piano performance exam with distinction, and ABRSM Grade 5 Theory exam with distinction.
Albert Cheng
In 2026, Albert was awarded a much coveted and competitive music scholarship at a top-tier private high schools for all years of high school. Earlier this year, Albert passed his ABRSM Grade 7 piano performance exam passed with distinction (earning 136/150).
Albert also passed ABRSM Grade 5 Theory exam with distinction, achieving a near-perfect score of 74 out of 75.
In 2025, Albert was awarded multiple music awards at his school, including Overall Music Cup.
Albert was also appointed Head of Music at his school for year 8, a role that recognizes both his musical excellence and leadership qualities.
Tristan Dunlop
Tristan was awarded a myriad of prizes at the 2025 Cashmere High School Music Competitions, including 1st Prize for Piano Performance, Best Piano or Violin Performance, Senior Arts Person of the Year, Musician of the Year, amongst others.
Tristan was a prizewinner the previous year too!
Victoria Leung
In 2025, Victoria was awarded the Soroptimist International Christchurch Music Scholarship for outstanding and exceptional musical talent. In 2026, Victoria was also awarded a competitive music scholarship at a highly sought-after high school.
Victoria also passed her ABRSM Grade 7 piano performance exam with distinction (scoring an excellent 140 out of 150 marks). Victoria also passed ABRMS Theory Grade 5 exam with distinction.
Victoria was also admitted to the Specialist Music Programme and was selected as an assembly pianist as well as an orchestra pianist at her middle school.
Victoria is a prizewinner of multiple piano competition awards from the Christchurch Competition Society Instrumental Music Competition.Ryan was awarded a music scholarship to a private school for year 7.
Ryan Wu
Ryan was a prizewinner of multiple piano competition awards from the Christchurch Competition Society Instrumental Music Competition during his studies with Piano Pillars.
In 2024, Ryan also passed
ABRSM Grade 7
piano performance exam with distinction, earning an excellent score of 140 out of 150 marks.
Gus E - ABRSM Grade 5 piano performance exam with distinction, earning an impressive 144/150.
Richard E - ABRSM Grade 4 piano performance exam with distinction, achieving a solid 142/150.
Gwendolyn Z - prizewinner at the Christchurch Competition Society Instrumental Music Competition.
Kaylee W - prizewinner at the Christchurch Competition Society Instrumental Music Competition.
Rosalind W - ABRMS Grade 3 piano performance exam with distinction.
AND MANY MORE!
