Concert 3. ESTIVO TRIO

Concert #3 ESTIVO TRIO 'a powerhouse of musical artistry'

Ying Ho piano. Jonathan Bérkes cello, Fox Chan violin

July 6th Sunday 2pm

Adult $40, Pensioner Concession $30, Children FREE

Venue:

Ross Memorial Uniting Church

Corner of Binalong and Derby Streets

Murrumburrah

NSW 2587

“A powerhouse of musical artistry”, The Estivo Trio has enchanted audiences worldwide since its formation in 2014. They have become known for their electrifying synergy and nuanced interpretations, this dynamic trio blends technical brilliance with heartfelt expression.

Pianist Ying Ho, dazzles with her virtuosic skill and emotional depth, having performed extensively across Asia, Europe, and Australia. Beyond the stage, she inspires the next generation of musicians as a faculty member at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Cellist Rachel Siu: Described as “fearless” by Yo-Yo Ma, Australian cellist Rachel Siu is a rising international star. From Carnegie Hall to the Musikverein, she dazzles audiences worldwide. A Juilliard graduate, chamber musician, and passionate educator, Rachel blends virtuosity and heart—on stage, in the classroom, and even while rock climbing or crafting resin art.

Violinist Fox Chan, captivates with his vibrant style and versatility. A sought-after performer, he seamlessly transitions between solo and ensemble roles, while championing music education and outreach projects.

Together, the Estivo Trio creates unforgettable performances, combining tradition with a contemporary flair. Their appearances at prestigious festivals and concert series showcase a repertoire that bridges the classics and cutting-edge compositions, making them a standout in the world of chamber music.

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The Estivo Trio is rapidly earning a reputation as one of Australia’s premier piano trios, celebrated for their exceptional musicianship, captivating stage presence, and international flair. Based in Sydney, the ensemble brings together three stellar artists—violinist Fox Chan, cellist Rachel Siu, and pianist Ying Ho—each with a rich tapestry of global performance experience and musical excellence.

The trio was formed through the inaugural Estivo Summer Chamber Music Festival, an initiative of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, held in Verona, Italy. Their European debut at the historic Sala Maffeina, Teatro Filarmonico in Verona, was met with glowing acclaim. This success was followed by critically lauded performances in San Fermo (Verona) and at the Vigeland Museum in Oslo, Norway.

In 2015, the Estivo Trio was the only Australian piano trio selected to compete in the prestigious 7th Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition—one of just eight piano trios chosen worldwide. That same year, the ensemble launched their first Asia Tour, captivating audiences with concerts, masterclasses, and workshops across China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Their concert at Shenzhen Concert Hall drew a sold-out audience of over 1,500 and was broadcast on Shenzhen Television News.

Estivo Trio continues to impress audiences across Australia, performing for Musica Viva Countrywide, the Pearl Beach Festival, Coffs Harbour Music Society, and the Orange Conservatorium of Music. They have also featured in the Spotlight Series at the Melbourne Recital Centre and the Chamber Works series at the Sydney Conservatorium.

This February, the trio takes centre stage with the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra to perform Beethoven’s monumental Triple Concerto at the Season Opening Concert at The Concourse, Chatswood—an event set to be a thrilling highlight of the concert season.

Known for their dynamic interplay, expressive power, and commitment to chamber music at the highest level, the Estivo Trio brings a uniquely Australian voice to the international chamber music scene.

Violinist Fox Chan is a vibrant force in the classical music world, known for his dazzling performances and deep musicality. He began his musical journey at age four, studying piano and violin with his mother, Professor Luni Chen. He went on to earn both his Bachelor and Master degrees under Professor Peter Shixiang Zhang and Associate Professor Alice Waten at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he received the school’s top scholarship award.

Fox’s career has taken him across the globe as a prize-winning soloist and passionate chamber musician. His accolades include 1st Prize at the Guangdong National Violin Competition (China, 2001) and the prestigious “Best International String Player” award at the Gisborne International Music Competition (New Zealand, 2010). As founder and violinist of the internationally celebrated Estivo Trio, Fox has performed to acclaim across Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy, Portugal, Norway, Poland, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, and Macau.

A seasoned soloist, he has appeared with leading orchestras including the Hunan, Zhejiang, and Xi’an Conservatorium Symphony Orchestras in China, the Schnittke and St Petersburg Chamber Orchestras in Russia, and Mexico’s Orquesta Sinfonía de Michoacán. He was invited to record Bach’s Sonatas for Violin and Piano and The Musical Offering for IPCJSB, the official label of the J.S. Bach International Piano Competition in Germany.

Fox is also a highly respected educator. He teaches at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and has led the Arco Music Academy since 2012. His students have gone on to win top prizes at national and international competitions. A sought-after mentor, he regularly gives masterclasses across the US, Europe, Russia, China, and Australia, and served as a jury member for the 2018 International Violin Competition in Guimarães, Portugal.

In 2017, Fox founded the Fox International Music Association to inspire young musicians and cultivate a love of classical music. He was appointed guest professor at the Cleveland Institute of Music International Academy in 2018, the same year he was nominated Australian Citizen of the Year for his contribution to the arts. In 2019, he launched the Sydney International Music Festival, and in 2020, received the Australia Day Arts and Cultural Award.

Fox performs on a rare 1886 Eugenio Degani violin, bringing its voice to life with elegance, passion, and precision.

Rachel Siu

Described as “fearless” by Yo-Yo Ma in an interview with the South China Morning Post, Australian cellist Rachel Siu is captivating audiences around the globe with her expressive artistry, virtuosic technique, and magnetic stage presence. Born into a creative family, Rachel began learning the cello at age five and made her solo debut just two years later at Sydney Town Hall. Her journey from prodigy to professional has taken her across four continents, establishing her as one of Australia’s most exciting classical artists.

Rachel completed both her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees at The Juilliard School in New York, where she was awarded the coveted Kovner Fellowship and received the William Schuman Commencement Prize. While there, she studied with legendary cellist Joel Krosnick and performed with the Juilliard Orchestra after winning the school’s Concerto Competition. She has also been a prizewinner in prestigious international competitions including the David Popper International Cello Competition in Hungary, the Carlos Prieto Competition in Mexico, and the Musica Viva Chamber Music Competition in Australia.

She has appeared as a soloist with orchestras including the Guangzhou Symphony, LGT Young Soloists, and Juilliard Orchestra, performing under the batons of conductors such as Thomas Adès and Long Yu. Her concert venues read like a who’s who of the classical world: Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, Alice Tully Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, and Vienna’s famed Musikverein. In 2019, she was invited to perform at the Vienna Philharmonic Ball with the Scandinavian Cello School — an unforgettable moment in her career.

A passionate chamber musician, Rachel is currently a member of Australia’s internationally acclaimed Streeton Trio. She has collaborated with top artists including Glenn Dicterow, Karen Dreyfus, and Paul Neubauer, and received mentorship from greats such as Emanuel Ax, Yo-Yo Ma, Pamela Frank, and Steven Isserlis.

In addition to performing, Rachel is a devoted educator. She has taught cello and music theory privately and in schools, including the Sydney Conservatorium High School. She is now on faculty at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music at the University of Sydney, and holds a Suzuki teaching certificate from The School for Strings in New York.

Away from the cello, Rachel finds joy in rock climbing, reading, baking, and creating handmade resin pieces for friends and family — reflecting her boundless creativity both on and off the stage.

Ying Ho is an electrifying pianist whose artistry has captivated audiences across Australia, Europe, Israel, China, the UK, and the United States. Renowned for her sensitivity and brilliance both as a soloist and collaborative musician, Ying’s performances resonate in prestigious venues such as the Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Recital Centre, City Recital Hall, National Gallery of Australia, and Woolmers Estate at MONA.

A recipient of the highly coveted Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music International Scholarship, Ying studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London, the Universität der Künste in Berlin, and the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Her stellar academic career was marked by numerous accolades, including the Else Cross (Brahms) Prize, the Maud Hornby Prize, First Prize at the Kawai Australasian Youth Concerto Competition, and the Sydney Conservatorium Concerto Competition.

As a chamber musician and collaborative pianist, Ying is in constant demand. She has appeared with leading Australian and international artists and toured nationally with British-Norwegian violinist Charlie Siem. She is a regular performer in Musica Viva’s Sydney Morning Masters series, the Virtuosi Tasmania series, and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra’s Chamber Music series. Her collaborations include performances with the Sydney Symphony Fellows and work with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra under Simone Young.

Internationally, Ying has performed at prestigious festivals including Prussia Cove International Musicians Seminar (UK), the Lausanne Académie de Musique (Switzerland), Estivo Chamber Music Festival (Italy), and Mimir Chamber Music Festival (USA). In 2008, she joined the faculty of the Edward Said Conservatory of Music in Jerusalem, where she gave concerts across Israel and the Palestinian Territories and conducted the Conservatory Orchestra in Bach’s Keyboard Concerto.

A passionate educator as well as performer, Ying is currently Head of Keyboard at MLC School, Burwood, and also serves on the staff at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Her artistic and pedagogical contributions continue to inspire a new generation of musicians, while her performances remain a highlight of Australia’s classical music landscape.

With a signature blend of elegance, intellect, and expressive depth, Ying Ho brings every performance to life—whether commanding the stage as a soloist, shaping sound in chamber works, or guiding young pianists toward their own musical brilliance.