As of April 2023

Celebrated for his ‘intimate dialogue between him…and the audience’ (Barrie Examiner), Chris Au is a 1^st Prizewinner of the 2020 Sound Espressivo Global Competition (specializing in the Music Ambassador Category), Prizewinner of the 2020 Texas State International Piano Concerto Competition, Semi-Finalist of the 2020 Maestro Art Taiwan International Piano Competition, and Prizewinner of the 2016 Shean Piano Competition. Recently, he performed and competed in Rexxam Hall as part of the 2023 Takamatsu International Piano Competition.

2023 highlights will include a Fellowship and Artistic Residence at the Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance under the guidance of Steven Isserlis and Jane Coop. He will also be performing the premiere movement of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 with the Central Texas Philharmonic as part of the Texas State International Piano Festival 2023 in June. He is also looking forward to his Summer Residence at the Orford Academy.

Chris Au was born in Hong Kong and raised in Sydney, Australia. He began serious studies at the age of 14 upon his acceptance in the studio of renowned Australian pedagogue Margaret Hair. He has since received the top prizes at the Sydney and Parramatta Eisteddfods. Unfortunately, his progress was significantly hindered for a few years when he was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of 16. Under the care of Dr. Jeffrey Chaitow, he continues to take a weekly biologic injection that keeps his condition under control.

His first musical experience overseas brought him to Germany, where he won the Audience 1^st Prize at the 2010 Klaviersommer Bad Bertrich whilst under the tutelage of Professor John Perry. Inspired by this experience, Chris began to pursue a career in music. Chris began his Undergraduate studies at The Colburn School with Ory Shihor, and continued them John Perry and David Louie at the Glenn Gould School of Music of the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto. There, he also attained his Artist Diploma. During that time, he was generously sponsored by the Full-Tuition Joan and Jerry Lozinski Scholarship, and has performed in Koerner Hall.

In May of 2020, Chris completed his Masters of Music Degree with Jean Saulnier and Jeanne Amiele at the University of Montreal. He also pursued his D.E.P.A. at the University of Montreal with Jean Saulnier and Charles Richard-Hamelin, in 2021.

He has won scholarships to many international summer festivals including the Banff Centre, the Orford Academy, the John Perry Academy, the Gijon International Piano Festival, the International Holland Music Sessions, and the Kawai Sydney International Piano Festival. He has had the great opportunity to work in masterclasses with legendary artists such as Menahem Pressler, Leon Fleisher, Richard Goode, Krzysztof Jablonski, Daniel Shapiro, Anton Nel, Andre Leplante, Marc Durand, Marietta Orlov, and Robert McDonald.

His inspired performances have secured multiple re-engagements particularly at the Barrie Concert Association, where he is a regular guest artist of the Midday with Shigeru Concert Series, as well as their Pianofest. He is also a regular guest artist at both Concerts@100 of Toronto, performing with the likes of Timothy Chooi as well as members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

Chris also works at Virtual Concert Halls as Live Broadcast Host, Social Media Manager, and Jury member.