National Finalists Gallery

First Prize – The Robert Salzer Prize
Formed in 2022 under the guidance of Tim Li, The IncrediBows are four childhood friends whose collaboration began in their early school years. Returning finalists after success in 2024 as Take Six, the quartet received First Prize in 2025 for their cohesive ensemble playing and expressive interpretation.

Performed: Edvard Grieg – String Quartet in G minor, Op. 27 No. 1: I Un poco andante – Allegro molto ed agitato

Second Prize – The Paul Morawetz Prize
Violinist David Chon, cellist Gabriel Liu and pianist Dillon Chan were awarded Second Prize. A returning finalist ensemble, the trio continues their studies with Sulki Yu, David Berlin and Ian Munro while performing regularly across Melbourne.

Performed: Maurice Ravel – Piano Trio in A minor (1914): I Modéré

Performed: Rebecca Clarke – Piano Trio (1921): I Moderato ma appassionato

Craig Reynolds Encouragement Award
Hale Bravura, made up of scholarship holders Joshua Woods, Seth Cheah, Zachary Madan and Jordan Scott from Hale School, was recognised with the Encouragement Award. Mentored by Jack Charles and Zoë van Drunen, the quartet continues to perform widely in Perth.

Performed: Franz Schubert – String Quartet No. 14 in D minor, “Death and the Maiden”: I Allegro

Australian Music Prize
Camberwell Grammar School’s Roystead Trio — Leo Qi, Derrick Kwon and Reily Wang — were recognised for their performance of an Australian work. The trio continues to explore both classical and contemporary repertoire while studying with Mark Mogilevsky, Rachel Atkinson and Glenn Riddle.

Performed: Julian Yu – Piano Trio Op. 26a (1994): I Moderato – Allegro III Vivace

Due to licensing restrictions, contemporary compositions cannot be reproduced here in full. Please contact Musica Viva Australia directly if you wish to access the complete performance videos for educational purposes.

Firebird Trio Mentorship Prize and 3MBS Prize
Emma Li (violin), Lieun Park (cello) and Diego Yu (piano) formed through the Melbourne String Ensemble. The trio will take part in a mentorship with the Firebird Trio and feature in a live-to-air broadcast on 3MBS.

Performed: Johannes Brahms – Piano Trio in B major, Op. 8 (1889): I Allegro con brio

4MBS Prize
Quartet Alla Zingarese evolved from Canterbury College’s Trio Bellissimo, combining returning finalists with a new member for 2025. Coached by Tim Li, the quartet was awarded the 4MBS Prize for their lively interpretation of Brahms’s Rondo alla Zingarese.

Performed: Johannes Brahms – Piano Quartet in G minor, Op. 25 No. 1: IV Rondo alla Zingarese

John and Rosemary MacLeod Finalist Award
Formed at Marryatville High School, Imber Trio — Akane Mears, Chloe Chane Yin and Ying Ying Shu — represented South Australia at the 2025 National Final. The trio are members of the Adelaide Youth Orchestra and alumni of AYO and ARCO programs.

Performed: Carl Maria von Weber – Trio in G minor for Piano, Flute and Cello, Op. 63: I Allegro moderato

John and Rosemary MacLeod Finalist Award
Formed at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, Jade Chueng, Raistlin Chan and Anny Wang performed Dvořák’s finale with clarity and poise. The trio continues to study under Julie Haskell, Sophie Rowell and Josephine Vains.

Performed: Antonín Dvořák – Piano Trio in F minor, Op. 65 No. 3: IV Finale

John and Rosemary MacLeod Finalist Award
From Canberra Girls’ Grammar School, Charlotte Bryce, Ella Huang and Amelia Thompson performed for flute, clarinet and marimba. The trio’s first National Final appearance highlighted their distinctive instrumentation and collaborative approach.

Performed: Nathan Daughtrey – Burn3 (2018)

Due to licensing restrictions, contemporary compositions cannot be reproduced here in full. Please contact Musica Viva Australia directly if you wish to access the complete performance videos for educational purposes.