Join Siyu in her journey at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama

Hello! I'm Siyu Sun, and I am beyond excited to begin my Artist Master of Performance programme at the Guildhall School in September 16th, 2019. It is a huge honour to be accepted into one of world's leading conservatoires, and it will be a huge professional development opportunity for me. But living costs and international fees are high, and I need your help getting there.

I have chosen to study at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, as I strongly believe that piano professor Ronan O’Hora, will help me develop into what I aspire: a complete, individual artist, who is an all-round musician and compelling speaker, as well as a wonderful performer. While Auckland provides numerous performance opportunities, I have already performed as soloist with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, and Wellington Chamber Orchestra, and won major national competitions. I am excited to get international recognition and connections through studying in the UK, participate in more international competitions in Europe, and ultimately launch my career in music.

This fund will greatly contribute towards my priority Tier 4 student visa to enter the UK, and the annual cost of health insurance while I'm over there, which is quite expensive. I've been wanting to complete my postgraduate studies in London for some time now, so I am ecstatic to finally make it!

It would be very exciting if you joined me on this journey! I am very grateful for the support I've had so far, and thank you so much if you are able to help me on the givealittle page. More updates to come!

- Siyu Sun :)

Website: https://www.siyusunpiano.com/

-

About Siyu:

Twenty-two year old Siyu Sun began piano studies at the age of four, and is currently completing her Master of Music with Associate Professor Rae de Lisle at The University of Auckland.

Siyu has appeared as soloist with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and Wellington Chamber Orchestra. Siyu was the fourth prize winner of the 2017 Lev Vlassenko International Piano Competition in Brisbane, where she won the Chuang Foundation Award for Best New Zealand Pianist as well as the Graeme Russell Virtuoso Prize. She was awarded first prize in the National Concerto 50th Anniversary Competition performing Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and second prize in the Wallace National Piano Competition.

Siyu was awarded the Anne Bellam Scholarship, Kathleen Marydon Travelling Scholarship, Jack McGill Music Scholarship, Patricia Pratt Scholarship, Kiwi Music Scholarship and Alice Cole Piano Scholarship. She received the 2018 Blues Award for Most Meritorious Performance in the Arts and Culture, and the 2018 Haydn Staples APO Piano Scholarship. Siyu is looking forward to furthering her studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in September this year on a scholarship.

Also a passionate chamber musician, Siyu’s piano quartet was the first prize winner of the Auckland Chamber Music Society Prize, and a finalist in the Pettmann/Royal Over-Seas League Chamber Music Scholarship last year. Siyu has performed in the NZSO National Youth Orchestra on both French horn and orchestral piano.

-

Read on: Siyu's journey as a Haydn Staples APO Piano Scholar

I was one of the 2018 Haydn Staples APO Piano Scholars, and I am very grateful for the very generous support of Haydn Staples. Through the Haydn Staples APO Piano Scholarship Programme, I received comprehensive training from The School of Music and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, which equipped me with the performing experience and communication skills I needed in preparation towards my performance auditions at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in December 2018. This scholarship has really helped towards my performance auditions at the music conservatoires in London, and I am honoured to have been accepted into Guildhall School.

The Haydn Staples APO Piano Scholarship has been a valuable and enriching experience and I’ve been able to observe the orchestra’s work ethic and professionalism, and apply this to my own development as a professional musician. I have thoroughly enjoyed performance opportunities with the APO in the Auckland Town Hall, performing chamber music with fantastic APO musicians, and participating in the enriching APO orchestral mentoring programme with Sarah Watkins. I will treasure the lifelong connections I've made with Haydn Staples and the APO through this scholarship.

-

The Costs

Artist Master of Music in Piano Performance at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama- 2 year full-time programme.

International Fees: $44,500 NZD per year, (covered by a financial scholarship from Guildhall + Patriccia Pratt Music Scholarship + Kiwi Music Scholarship).

Rent: $27,618.64 NZD (Weekly rent + registration fee at Goodenough College, London. )

Maintenance costs: $11,825.20 NZD (Food + travel + music + mobile phone contract + extra lessons + photocopying scores)

Extra travel costs: $3,472 NZD (Tier 4 Student Visa + Priority Visa fee + Immigration Health Surcharge fee + international NZ-UK travel)

GOAL: $79,696.52 NZD (Year 1), $76116.52 (Year 2)

-

Action Plan

Applying for Scholarships (ongoing)

Siyu has been applying for various scholarships throughout the year. This list continually growing and ongoing.

Writing to trusts/foundations for grants (ongoing)

There are numerous funds with allocated funds that accept applications on an ongoing basis, or are known for supporting the arts. Siyu is constantly writing letters and keeping an eye out. Please let Siyu know if you know of any that she should contact.

Fundraising Concert, 30th of June.