Ms Rachel Siu
 

 

Acclaimed by world famous musician Yo-Yo Ma in an interview with South China Morning Post, Rachel Siu, an Australian cellist, has been leaving an indelible mark on the global music scene. Commencing her musical journey at the age of five under the guidance of Renat Yusupov, Rachel recently achieved her Master of Music degree at The Juilliard School, where she was honored as a Kovner Fellow and received the William Schuman Commencement Prize. She had previously earned her Bachelor of Music degree from Juilliard in 2019, studying under the tutelage of Joel Krosnick, with earlier mentors including Peter Rejto and Susan Blake.

 

Having made her solo debut at the age of seven at the Sydney Town Hall, Rachel has since graced stages across Europe, Asia, America, and Australia. She has collaborated with various orchestras, including the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, the Juilliard Orchestra, and LGT Young Soloists, working alongside esteemed conductors like Thomas Adès and Long Yu. Rachel has performed in prestigious venues such as Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, Alice Tully Hall, Xinghai Concert Hall, Royal Albert Hall, and the Musikverein.

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In a notable achievement, Rachel clinched the Gold Medal prize at the VIII David Popper International Cello Competition in Varpalota, Hungary. At the age of 11, she became the youngest winner in the 33-year history of the National Youth Concerto Competition in Australia. Subsequently, Rachel claimed victory at The Juilliard School Concerto Competition in 2017 and the IX Carlos Prieto International Cello Competition in Morelia, Mexico, in 2019. 

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Apart from her impressive career as a performer, Rachel is also a passionate educator. She imparts her knowledge of cello and music theory to students at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, including its Rising Stars program, where she holds a faculty position. Having completed her teacher training program at The School for Strings in New York, Rachel holds a Suzuki teaching certificate.

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A dedicated chamber musician, Rachel frequently performs with her piano trio, and she is currently a member of Australia's renowned Streeton Trio. She has shared the stage with prominent musicians such as Paul Neubauer, Glenn Dicterow, and Karen Dreyfus, while receiving guidance from eminent artists like Emanuel Ax, Pamela Frank, Hsin-Yun Huang, Yo-Yo Ma, and Laurie Smukler. A member of LGT Young Soloists, she has received prestigious awards, including the Australian Music Foundation Nora Goodridge Young Artist Award and the American Australian Association Dame Joan Sutherland Award.