Supported by David & Sally Graham

Elise Tian performs in Emerging Artists.

Elise Tian is a year 11 music scholar at Rangi Ruru Girls’ School and started learning both cello and piano at the age of 5. Elise learns cello under the tutelage of Galyna Zelinska and Rolf Gjelsten, with additional guidance from Zoe Knighton starting this year. Elise also learns piano under the tutelage of Michael Endres. 

Making her debut as a soloist with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra at the age of 9 and performing as a soloist with them again at the age of 13. Throughout these years, Elise has also enjoyed holding recitals and lunchtime concerts. Other than solo repertoire, Elise also enjoys playing chamber music. Her chamber music journey began in 2021, where Elise and fellow Rangi Ruru music students entered the NZCT Chamber Music Contest. Ever since, they have been selected as a National Finalist for four consecutive years - before winning it in 2024 with Shostos. Additionally, her piano trio, Senza Espressione, won first prize in the American Virtuoso International Music Competition, earning them an opportunity to perform in Carnegie Hall. Elise is also an alumna of the Adams Summer School, which she attended in both 2023 and 2024.

In 2023, Elise was fortunate enough to be selected for the Allegro Vivo Masterclass under Professor Wenn-Sin Yang in Austria. Following this, Elise travelled to Italy to take part in the Cello Classicals Summer Course, where she was taught by Professors Raphael Wallfisch, Roel Dieltiens, and Sebastian Comberti.