Described for her “impassioned virtuosity” and “glowing, soulful melodies” (NZ Herald), Madeleine Xiao is one of New Zealand’s most exciting and sought-after young pianists. Born in Auckland in 2005, she has garnered international acclaim through top competition successes and performances on major stages around the world.

Madeleine recently completed her Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree at the University of Auckland, where she studied under the mentorship of Rae de Lisle, Katherine Austin, Bryan Sayer, and Sarah Watkins.

A top-prize winner in every major national competition across solo, concerto, and chamber music, Madeleine’s recent achievements include winning the 2024 NZ National Young Performer of the Year Award and Audience Prize, reaching the semi-finals of the Lev Vlassenko International Piano Competition, and receiving the Best New Zealand Pianist Award. She was awarded the 2024 Pettman Royal Overseas League Scholarship, enabling an extensive European performance and career-development tour.

Madeleine has appeared as soloist with numerous orchestras and is the youngest-ever winner of the University of Auckland Concerto Competition. She has also won the Auckland Youth Orchestra Piano Concerto Competition and has worked with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, TIMM Orchestra (Italy), Bach Musica Orchestra, and Auckland Philharmonia.

A passionate chamber musician, Madeleine has collaborated with internationally acclaimed artists including Ben Goldscheider, Julian Bliss, Zlatomir Fung, Benjamin Baker, and Morgan Pearse. She has been invited twice to the At the World’s Edge (AWE) Festival as both an Emerging Artist and Fellow, touring the Central Lakes region. Madeleine has been a Haydn Staples Auckland Philharmonia Piano Scholar for three consecutive years and member of the Auckland Philharmonia Aspiring Musicians Ensemble. She has won the Chamber Music New Zealand ACMS University of Auckland Chamber Music Competition twice and performs regularly across the country, where she is widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s leading young chamber musicians.