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 Maggie Wang:

Maggie Wang is a 17-year-old cellist studying with Howard Penny from the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM). In both 2025 and 2026, she was appointed principal cellist of the Bishop Orchestra at the AYO National Music Camp, and was selected to perform with the flagship orchestra on its 2025 International Tour. She has also been a long-standing participant of the Australian Chamber Orchestra Academy and Melbourne Youth Orchestra, holding principal cello positions across multiple programs.

As a soloist, Maggie has performed Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme with the Queensland Youth Symphony with Fabian Russell, following her selection as a finalist in the John Curro National Youth Concerto Competition. She was a finalist in the Preston Symphony Orchestra Youth Concerto Competition in 2022 and 2024, and named Overall Winner in 2024. Internationally, she was invited to the Qingdao International Cello Festival, where she was recognised as one of the Best Young Artists, and in 2026 was awarded Absolute Winner of the Haydn Online International Music Competition. Upcoming engagements in 2026 include appearances as a finalist in Melbourne Recital Centre’s Baroque Competition and The Talent 3MBS. Maggie is passionate about refining her musicianship through collaboration and diverse performance opportunities.

Program:

Don Banks Three studies for Cello and Piano (1954)

Brahms Cello Sonata No. 2 in F major, Op. 99

Castelnuovo-Tedesco Figaro from Rossini’s 'The Barber of Seville'

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: Maggie Wang