Originally a student from the Hanoi Conservatory of Music, but currently studying in Australia, Quang has helped to prove the conservatory’s reputation as a top-class training establishment.

The annual contest in Sydney is devoted to professional piano students, 18-year old or less, studying in Australian music schools.

“I was very confident when I took part in the competition this year,” said Quang, 18. “I was surprised and felt a strong emotion when I knew I got the prize, like other times. It’s difficult to express this feeling.”

Quang is a second-year student at the Australian International Conservatorium of Music. He won a full one-year scholarship to study at the conservatorium under the guidance of Professor Kyung Hee Iee.

In July, he was awarded second prize at the annual Val Tidone International Music Competition in the Italian city of Piacenza.

In January 2006, Quang won a special prize at the Frederick Chopin International Piano Competition in Japan. In June 2006, he won third prize at the Val Tidone International Music Competition for 16 to 17-year-olds.

Quang began learning the piano at the age of six. His father, Luu Quang Minh, is a teacher at the Hanoi Conservatory of Music.