It was close to the end of high school when Po Goh realised that most things in life are dull when compared to making music. This unshakeable yearning compelled him to pursue music study at both Monash University and the University of Melbourne, where he received guidance from an array of tutors, including Dr Kristian Chong, Dr Aura Go, and Dr Kenji Fujimura. Po is currently in his third year at ANAM under the tutelage of Timothy Young, and was awarded the Gwen Nisbet Encouragement Award in 2024.
At Monash University, Po received the Anna Chmiel Memorial Prize and Joan Earle Prize in two consecutive years and found what would be his third concerto opportunity with the Monash Academy Orchestra under the baton of Jessica Cottis. Po received first place in season one of 3MBS The Talent in 2019, which led to numerous performance opportunities around Melbourne.
An obsession for theatre brought him to the role of Musical Director for small theatre productions around Melbourne, most recently collaborating on a production of A Year with Frog and Toad with Beaumaris Theatre. In 2022, Po joined the Australian Contemporary Opera Company as a Young Artist Repetiteur, where he worked as both keyboardist in performances and repetiteur through the rehearsal process. Not limited to the pit, however, he also found himself on stage originating the role of ex-virtuoso concert pianist Xiao-Jun in La Mama Mobile's chamber opera The Gang of Five, written by Noel Fidge.
Outside the practice room, Po can be seen indoor bouldering, at the gym, learning languages, or taking a 20-minute detour for a certain cup of coffee.
FROM: Melbourne, VIC. Lands of the Woiwurrung people.
Po is sponsored by the Tallis Foundation and further supported by ANAM Syndicate donors Gina Fox, Max Garrard, Robyn Harris, Janet Limb AO, Kim Low.
Photo by Pia Johnson