17-year-old Malaysian wins Steinway Youth Piano Competition

17-year-old Joshua Lau from Malaysia has won the 5th Steinway Youth Piano Competition Regional Finals South-East Asia Pacific 2021.

Joshua from Penang is the first Malaysian to win the grand prize. He will be representing South-East Asia Pacific at the bi-annual International Steinway Festival next year in Hamburg, Germany.

The second and third prizes went to Yunsun Shin of South Korea Kuo Ting-An of Taiwan, respectively.

Due to the pandemic and restrictions that are in place across the world, the regional finals for the first time had all contestants from the eight countries submit video recording of their performance.

The full video performances of Joshua and seven other international contestants will be broadcast on Steinway Malaysia Facebook Premier Live on 18th July 2021 at 3pm. 

“I’m very fortunate and also grateful that the judges have enjoyed my music, and I hope everyone will enjoy too,” said Joshua who started his musical journey at age of six.

Joshua said he had always wanted to compete in the Steinway Youth Piano Competition Asia Pacific. It meant a lot to him being able to represent Malaysia on the big stage.

“It was fun and exciting to represent Malaysia to compete against others from all over Asia Pacific.  

“I would like to thank my teachers and mentors from both Malaysia and Singapore for all their support and advice that has brought me to where I am. I will continue to practise and work hard,” Joshua added.

Joshua’s works include “Suite for Piano op.2”, which was first performed in 2018 at a charity concert to raise funds for paediatric cancer patients at Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital in Penang. His other piece, “Fantasia Facile op.3” was performed at AIMS Young Musician of the Year in 2019 under ensemble category.

In 2019, Joshua’s original compositions, “Journey Through the Rain op.4”, was published in “Inspirations- Winners’ Musical Moments for Pianists”, a book that showcased the works of ten chosen young composers.

Joshua won the grand prize for the 5th Steinway Malaysia Youth Piano Competition in 2020.

In January this year, Joshua began his International Baccalaureate (IB) studies at the School of the Arts Singapore and was also accepted into the Young Artist Programme at Young Siew Toh Conservatory of Music in Singapore.

Besides piano, Joshua also plays the violin and flute. During his free time, he enjoys coding on computer and revels in musical composition.

Bentley Music hosted the Malaysia Steinway national finals – the 5th Steinway Malaysia Youth Piano Competition 2020.

Established since 1975, Bentley Music is reputable for being the “Music and Sound Specialists” for world renowned musical instruments and sound reinforcement brand names in Malaysia. 

In 2005 it was given the exclusive dealership for Steinway & Sons pianos in Malaysia.