The ABC Young Performers Awards is Australia's most prestigious and longest-running classical music competition, which has for decades provided a national platform for emerging artists to launch their professional careers. In 2026, in celebration of ABC Classic's 50th anniversary, the competition has returned with a renewed commitment to fostering the next generation of exceptional young artists.

The twelve semi finalists have just been announced and ABC Classic invites you to be a part of the audience in their ABC Young Performers Awards journey. To learn about each semi finalist, head to the ABC Young Performers Awards website.

About Dillon Chan:

13-year-old Melbourne-born pianist Dillon Chan studies under Ian Munro and receives chamber music coaching from Caroline Almonte at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. A Year 9 music scholar at Camberwell Grammar School, his trio, Kingussie, won the 3MBS Radio Award for Best Ensembles in Victoria (2024) and second place (2025) “Strike a Chord” National Chamber Music Competition.

Dillon was the overall winner of 2022 Steinway Youth Piano Competition Australia, and winner of 2024 Hephzibah Menuhin Memorial Awards, Musical Society of Victoria. Dillon won 1st Prize at 29th International Fryderyk Chopin Competition for Children and Youth (Poland). He was the youngest finalist at 19th Ettlingen International Competition (Germany), receiving 4th Prize with Special Commendation for Young Talent. In 2025, he won 1st Prize at 4th Jeune Chopin Competition (Switzerland) judged by a jury chaired by Martha Argerich. Following this, Dillon was sponsored to perform two recitals: in Lausanne alongside Argerich, and at Chopin’s birthplace in Żelazowa Wola. Dillon has worked with conductors Muhai Tang as a solo pianist, and Graham Abbot as an organist. He has also held multiple solo recitals, at Melbourne’s landmark building, St Paul’s Cathedral, and at Steinway Galleries Australia in Melbourne. A Young Ambassador of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation, Dillon performed for Lang Lang following his recent recital in Melbourne.

Program:

Carl Vine Five Bagatelles

Mozart Sonata K576 in D major

Chopin Variations on "Là ci darem la mano", Op. 2

Balakirev Islamey: Oriental Fantasy, Op. 18

Please be advised that this performance forms part of the Semi-finals for the ABC Young Performers Awards 2026.

The performance will be recorded and filmed, and attended by a live adjudication panel.

Guests are kindly requested to arrive at least 10 minutes before the event start time as lockouts may apply for late arrivals.

Contact the host of ABC Classic Presents: Dillon Chan

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