Leo Nguyen is a Melbourne-based classical pianist, who quit a commerce degree to study music and Japanese. He always hopes to bring a unique and exhilarating performance to his listeners. He plays a wide range of repertoire, enjoying works by lesser-known composers, while at heart remaining a romantic – with a not-so-secret penchant for Chopin.
After completing a Bachelor of Arts/Music at Monash University, Leo completed an Honours year in Music at the University of Melbourne. Throughout his tertiary studies, Leo has studied with renowned pianists, including Tamara Smolyar, Hoang Pham, Jerry Wong and Len Vorster.
Leo has performed on 3MBS’ The Talent, as well as winning Monash University’s Anna Chmiel Memorial Prize. He also gained third prize in the Enkor International Music Competition, and placed as a finalist in USCI Piano Festival and Competition.
This year, Leo continues his musical education in his second year at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM), under the tutelage of Timothy Young. When he isn’t practising in the early hours of the morning, he is exercising his competitive side on PC strategy games.
FROM: Melbourne, VIC. Lands of the Kulin Nation.
Leo’s training at ANAM is supported by ANAM Syndicate donors Sieglind D'Arcy, Elizabeth Nye, Marie Rowland, Janet Limb AO, Pamela Whiting, Patsy Montgomery
Photo by Pia Johnson.