Described for her ‘impassioned virtuosity’ and ‘glowing, soulful melodies’ (NZ Herald), Auckland-born pianist (b.2005) Madeleine Xiao is a trailblazing young force in the New Zealand classical music scene. A top-prize winner in every major national competition across solo, concerto and chamber music, she has established an extraordinary record of achievement, with performances spanning New Zealand, Australia, the UK, Europe and Asia.

Madeleine began university at just 16, and in her first year at the University of Auckland became the youngest-ever winner of the University’s Concerto Competition in 2022. In 2024, she was named National Young Performer of the Year, winning both the First Prize and Audience Prize, and was awarded Best New Zealand Pianist at the Lev Vlassenko International Piano Competition in Australia. A recipient of the 2024 Pettman Royal Overseas League Scholarship, she undertook a career development tour throughout the UK and Europe. Madeleine has appeared as a soloist with orchestras including the Auckland Philharmonia, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Youth Orchestra, Bach Musica and TIMM Orchestra in Italy.

Chamber music lies at the heart of Madeleine’s musical identity. A founding member of Kaha Trio, one of New Zealand’s leading young ensembles, she later formed Trio Chroma alongside members of the Auckland Philharmonia. She is a two-time consecutive winner of the University of Auckland ACMS Chamber Music Competition, in association with Chamber Music New Zealand, and has collaborated with internationally acclaimed musicians such as Ben Goldscheider, Julian Bliss, Zlatomir Fung, Benjamin Baker, Morgan Pearse and Bryony Gibson-Cornish to name a few. Madeleine has been invited to perform as a guest pianist with NZTrio, and was invited twice at the At the World’s Edge Festival as both an Emerging Artist and Fellow.

In 2026, Madeleine was selected as the inaugural Piano Fellow of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition, undertaking a range of developmental opportunities and working closely with internationally acclaimed artists and jury members, including violinist James Ehnes. She is also a passionate advocate for New Zealand music, having performed, recorded and premiered more than 20 works by New Zealand composers, often working closely with the composers.

A Haydn Staples Auckland Philharmonia Piano Scholar from 2023–2025, Madeleine has maintained a close association with the orchestra through performance, chamber music and artistic development. She completed her Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours at the University of Auckland, studying with Rae de Lisle, Bryan Sayer, Katherine Austin and Sarah Watkins.

Now based in London, Madeleine is undertaking a Masters in Piano Performance at the Royal Academy of Music as a scholarship recipient, studying with Tessa Nicholson.