ABC Classic announces 12 semifinalists for the 2026 ABC Young Performers Awards
After weeks of deliberation, ABC Classic has announced the 12 semifinalists who will participate in the live performance round of the ABC Young Performers Awards in August.
The prestigious competition launched the careers of some of the most successful Australian musicians, including composer and violist Brett Dean, percussionist Claire Edwardes, violinist Emily Sun and most recently flutist Eliza Shephard.
The competition is open to solo instrumentalists aged 31 and under.
The youngest semi-finalist of 2026 is only 13 years old.
Each applicant submitted a 40-minute performance video for the judging panel, featuring at least one piece of music by an Australian composer.
The semi-finalists play a variety of instruments, including classical guitarist Connor Whyte. (Provided)
“We were impressed with the overall level of skill, talent, musicality and commitment of all applicants and the energy they brought to this important competition,” says Marshall McGuire, chair of the judging panel.
“The contestants featured on the panel were bold and creative and had a wide range of repertoire that allowed them to present a full color palette. [musical] styles.”
The 12 semi-finalists represent a wide range of instruments including piano, violin, cello, flute, saxophone, guitar and percussion and come from NSW, Victoria, ACT and Tasmania.
Each will perform a live public solo recital in Sydney or Melbourne in August.
What does competing mean for musicians?
For many of the contestants, the ABC Young Artists Awards offer a rare national platform where musicians compete for a variety of reasons.
Performance is more about connection than competition, says 13-year-old pianist Dillon Chan.
“After some performances, people came up to me and said they were really impressed, and a few even came to hear me play again,” he says.
For saxophonist Alice Morgan from Sydney, it’s a chance to showcase both her instrument and the Australian music she champions.
Saxophonist Alice Morgan is one of 12 semifinalists who will present a recital in the live performance round of the competition. (Provided)
Morgan has collaborated with composers including Andrew Howes and Holly Harrison, who wrote music “with me in mind as the artist”.
ACT’s classical guitarist Connor Whyte hopes to record his debut album, while Beatrice Colombis and cellist Charlotte Miles are already pursuing international careers in Australia and Europe.
Only three finalists will have the chance to compete for prize money and appear as soloists with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in a televised performance at the Sydney Opera House in November.
Semi-finalists at the 2026 ABC Young Artists Awards
- Alice Morgan (saxophone, NSW)
- Beatrice Colombis (violin, NSW)
- Buddy Lovett (percussion, VIC)
- Charlotte Miles (cello, VIC)
- Connor Whyte (classical guitar, ACT)
- Dillon Chan (piano, VIC)
- Dindin Jingyi Wang (violin, VIC)
- Joshua Han (piano, NSW)
- Lily Bryant (flute, NSW)
- Maggie Wang (cello, VIC)
- Sheng-Yuan Lynch (piano, TAS)
- Tom Lowe (saxophone, VIC)
You can find more information about each semi-finalist on the ABC Classic website.
Watch the ABC Young Artists Awards semi-finals
Solo recitals in August are open to the public, so you can directly support the ABC Young Artists Awards semi-finalists.
- Tuesday 11 August in Sydney (Eugene Goossens Hall)
- Wednesday 12 August in Melbourne (Iwaki Auditorium)
- Thursday 13 August in Melbourne (Iwaki Auditorium)
Recitals will be given every day at 12.00, 14.00, 16.00 and 18.00.
Tickets are $10 per recital through the ABC Classic website.
If you cannot attend in person, recitals will be broadcast on ABC Classic later in the year.
The Grand Final performance will take place at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall on 3 November, with each of the three grand finalists performing a concerto with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. The concert will also be broadcast on ABC TV and ABC Classic.
