The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) presented special prizes for the 43rd Macao Young Musicians Competition during an awards ceremony held recently, according to a statement by the bureau on Friday.
The ceremony on February 26 took place at the Cultural Affairs Bureau Building in Praça do Tap Siac, where 13-year-old Ieong U Fan received the “Cultural Affairs Bureau Prize”, while 11-year-old Ngai Ieok Ham was awarded the “Best Performance in Intermediate Category” prize, the statement said.
The awards were presented by IC Vice President Cheang Kai Meng and IC Department of Performing Arts Development Chief Kuok Mio U, the statement noted. Both winners expressed gratitude to their teachers and parents for their guidance and support, saying their preparation and dedication helped them achieve the awards.
Ieong began learning piano at the age of five under the guidance of mentors Odilia Ip and I-Ian Long, the statement said, adding that he later obtained the LRSM (Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music) diploma in music performance from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM).
In recent years, Ieong has achieved notable results in several piano competitions, including the third prize in the “Chinese Composition Junior Category” at the 18th Shanghai International Youth Piano Competition National Final, the statement said, highlighting that in the latest Macao Young Musicians Competition, he won first prize in the Chinese Composers Piano Work (Advanced) Category and the Piano Four-hands (Advanced) Category, as well as third prize in the Piano Concerto Category.
According to the statement, last year’s competition attracted more than 600 participants, and featured 26 competitions across 15 categories and awarded a total of 375 prizes.
The statement noted that the Macao Young Musicians Competition aims to promote the development of classical music in Macau by providing young musicians with performance opportunities and encouraging them to pursue professional music careers.
This handout photo provided by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) on Friday shows 13-year-old Ieong U Fan (left) holding the “Cultural Affairs Bureau Prize” together with the bureau’s Vice President Cheang Kai Meng at the IC headquarters in Praça do Tap Siac.
