F. Chopin : Ballade No. 3 in A flat Major, Op 47. Megan Phuan Zhiyan, piano

The artist:
Megan Phuan Zhiyan is a 13-year-old pianist whose passion for music has led her to remarkable milestones at a young age. In 2025, she was named one of the winners of the MSO Concerto Competition 2025, earning the honor to perform as a soloist with the Manila Symphony Orchestra, the country’s oldest and most prestigious orchestra. This moment marked the fulfillment of her dream to play with a full orchestra, a defining step in her musical journey.

Born in Singapore and now based in the Philippines, Megan began piano lessons at four and currently studies under Sir Anthony Say. Her love for music has taken her to stages across Asia, Europe, and North America, including Carnegie Hall in New York, the Mozarteum in Salzburg, and Brno’s Besední dům. At seven, she made her concerto debut at the Adam Gyorgy Castle Academy in Hungary, performing Bach’s Concerto in F minor, BWV 1056.

Megan has earned top prizes in international competitions, including the AMADEUS International Mozart Competition (First Prize and Special Jury Prize), Grand Prize Virtuoso (London and Salzburg), American Protégé (New York), Asia Arts Festival, and the Chopin Hong Kong Youth Piano Competition. In 2025, she won First Prizes at the Vietnam International Piano Competition and the 7th Steinway Youth Piano Competition – Philippines, and participated in the Maestro International Festival in Taiwan.

Her recent performances include the Goldenberg Mansion Student’s Recital and the Beethoven Series, where she performed Beethoven’s Sonata Op. 13 “Pathétique.” Beyond competitions, Megan finds joy in performing for a purpose. She has participated in outreach and charity initiatives such as ChildAid Singapore, Steinway Rising Stars, Bach in the Subways, and concerts at Alexandra Hospital.

For Megan, music is about connection, storytelling, and bringing joy. Her first solo recital, “PRISM”, celebrates the many colors of music through works by Mozart, Chopin, and Kapustin.