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Ethan Chiao is an 18-year-old cellist currently studying a Bachelor of Music Performance (BMus) at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music with, and graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS) in 2024. Ethan has been pursuing music for 11 years, previously studying with Josephine Vains and Edith Slazmann, taking masterclasses with Ramon Jaffe, and currently studying with Richard Narroway. As a chamber musician, Ethan has worked alongside members of the Kronos Quartet, Houston Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, as well as Sophie Rowell, Glen Riddle, Konstantin Shamray and Curt Thompson.
Ethan has participated and placed in multiple international competitions such as Valsesia Musica, receiving top prize in both the Solo and Chamber Music category, awarding him a recital at the prestigious Carnegie Hall. He also received top prize in the Boroondara Eisteddfod in the open-age and under-18 bracket, as well placing as a finalist in the Melbourne Recital Centre (MRC) Baroque Competition and the 2024 Preston Youth Concerto Competition. Ethan’s Piano trio and string sextet the Aneres Piano Trio and Sturt Street Six, has won numerous chamber music awards such as the Music Society of Victoria’s (MSV) Chamber Competition as well as finalist for the 2024 Strike-A-Chord held at the MRC.
In his time at VCASS, he has presented multiple recitals with the 3MBS Radio solo and with his piano trio, string quartet, and string sextet. In 2024, Ethan participated in the pilot program in collaboration with the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM), performing Mendelssohn's String Octet. Ethan also enjoys playing in larger ensembles, leading the section with VCASS Orchestra and appearing with the Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO).
Recently, Ethan has participated in numerous Australian Youth Orchestra programs including the Flagship Orchestra in 2025, touring around Europe and Australia, performing in halls such as Musicverein and Concertgebouw. At the University of Melbourne, Ethan has participated and led the University’s symphony orchestra, performing in Hamer Hall. Ethan has also successfully auditioned for the 2025 MIMIR and 2026 chamber music festival with his string quartet.
