The Youth Concerto Competition concert is a highlight of the year’s season for the Preston Symphony Orchestra. Six finalists are chosen from two rounds of auditions, following which they rehearse their chosen work with the conductor and orchestra in preparation for the competition concert. Concerts generally feature a range of instruments and works from different periods. Applications for the competition open in April and the concert program is announced in June. The concert in 2025 will be conducted by Carlos del Cueto.
The Contestants & Music
Six finalists for the 2025 Youth Concerto Competition were selected at auditions held at Bernie’s Musicland in Ringwood in late May. Many thanks to all those who participated in the auditions, as well as those who entered the competition.
The following young musicians will play at the competition concert on Sunday 14 September (names in alphabetical order).
Raistlin Chan violin
Concerto No. 3 in B minor Op. 61, Camille Saint-Saëns, 3rd movement
Yuelin Cui violin
Symphonie Espagnole, Eduoard Lalo, 1st movement.
Tyler Li piano
Piano Concerto No.2, Rachmaninoff, 1st movement
Gabriel Liu cello
Cello Concerto no. 1 in E minor, Edward Elgar, 4th movement.
Lieun Park cello
Cello concerto Op. 129, Robert Schumann 1st and 2nd movements
Jayden Wayne piano
Piano Concerto No.13 in C major, K.415, Mozart, 1st movement
Carlos del Cueto
Preston Symphony Orchestra is delighted to welcome guest conductor Carlos del Cueto for this concert, the 36th Youth Concerto Competition.
Carlos is now based in Melbourne; he began his music education in his native Mexico, and studied in the US and Britain. He has been Junior Fellow in Conducting at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, as well as a BBC Performing Arts Fellow. He has conducted orchestras such as The Hallé, the Manchester Camerata, and the Britten Sinfonia, and was also principal conductor of the Cambridge University Symphony Orchestra.
As well as working with the symphonic repertoire, much of Carlos’s work has been with opera, ranging from Monteverdi to modern works, including several world premieres. He was recently chorus master for Victorian Opera’s production of Eucalyptus, and will return with the company next year to conduct The Lyrebird’s Voice.
Carlos is the music director of The Tudor Choristers, holds a PhD in Music from the University of Cambridge, and facilitates programs with Leading Teams Australia, a national leadership and culture organisation that works in the corporate, education, and sports sectors.
Raistlin Chan
Melbourne violinist Raistlin Chan was awarded the AMEB Licentiate Diploma (LMusA) with distinction in 2022 and is currently studying under the guidance of Sophie Rowell. Raistlin has won numerous competition awards, including first prize in the Austral Salon Outstanding Soloist, Bach International Competition, Boroondara Eisteddfod and MSV String Solo Competitions. He was awarded the Dr Bill Williams OBE Memorial prize in the National Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition’s Open Instrumental section in 2022.
As an experienced chamber musician, Raistlin has worked in several ensembles, winning first prizes in several chamber music competitions and being selected as a finalist in the national Musica Viva Strike A Chord Competition. Raistlin was a recipient of the Simon Hisheh, Robert Stolz Viennese Music Society and Music Matinee scholarships at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary College. Raistlin is also a scholarship recipient in music composition and currently studies with Stefan Cassomenos.
Yuelin Cui
Yuelin Cui is a violinist who began her musical journey at the age of seven as a birthday gift. Since then, she has developed into a passionate performer and musician. In 2022, Yuelin completed AMUS with distinction, an achievement she was immensely proud of.
Yuelin is a frequent competitor in eisteddfods around Melbourne, winning and placing in several. She was recently honored with an invitation to perform at the Ringwood Eisteddfod Showcase as a result of placing in her section.
Yuelin is a student at Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak, where she actively contributes to the school’s music department. She plays in both the school’s symphony orchestra and string orchestra, and is also a member of one of Loreto’s string quartets. Through these ensembles, she continues to refine her ensemble skills and deepen her love for classical music. This year, she is taking VCE Music Repertoire Performance as her Unit 3 and 4 subjects, which she hopes to receive a high result in.
In the future, Yuelin wishes to further her music studies after school, and continue playing the violin regardless of her career.
Tyler Li
Tyler Li is a Year 11 student at Camberwell Grammar School. He began learning piano at the age of seven and currently studies under Mikhail Solovei. Tyler achieved the Associate of Trinity College London (ATCL) in 2021 and the Licentiate in Music, Australia (LMusA) in 2023.
He regularly participates in music festivals and competitions, where he has won numerous prizes for both solo and ensemble performances. He particularly enjoys performing compositions from the Romantic and late-Romantic periods, especially those by Rachmaninoff, Liszt, and Chopin.
At school, Tyler actively contributes to the music program, frequently performing in concerts, participating in the school choir, and collaborating in ensembles such as trios and quartets. He performs regularly with these ensembles at events including school competitions, school soirees, and recitals.
Tyler is passionate about sharing his love of music and continues to seek performance opportunities to connect with audiences. Outside of music, he enjoys going to the gym and playing volleyball.
Gabriel Liu
Gabriel Liu is a 14-year-old cellist and pianist from Camberwell Grammar School in Melbourne, Australia. He began learning the cello at the age of seven and a half, and currently studies with David Berlin, Principal Cellist of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and Rachel Atkinson, Head of the Music Academy at Camberwell Grammar. Gabriel has participated in masterclasses with internationally renowned cellists including Li-Wei Qin, Howard Penny, Tim Smedley, Ben Davies, Nick Trygstad, and Eduardo Vassallo.
A full music scholarship recipient at Camberwell Grammar, Gabriel is an active member of the CGS Music Academy and regularly performs with a range of chamber ensembles. His achievements include First Prize in the MSV 15 Years and Under String Section, First Prize in the Ringwood Eisteddfod Open Section, and overall winner of the Ringwood Eisteddfod Grand Final. He has also received numerous awards at local eisteddfods. In 2024, Gabriel was a top-three finalist in Season 1 of 3MBS’s The Talent. As a member of the Kingussie Trio — with David Chon and Dillon Chan — he was a national finalist in Musica Viva’s Strike A Chord competition, winning the 3MBS Prize and contributing an article to AUSTA magazine. That same year, the trio won the Boroondara Eisteddfod Chamber Music Competition and placed second in the MSV Chamber Music Competition.
Gabriel was awarded his LMusA Diploma in cello with distinction and was invited to the 2025 AMEB Conferring of Diplomas ceremony. He has been a member of the Melbourne Youth Orchestra’s flagship symphonic orchestra since the age of 11, and has also performed with the Melbourne Conservatorium Chamber Music Academy, including at Government House. He frequently appears in gala events, charity concerts, and MSV showcases.
Lieun Park
Lieun, a 16-year-old cellist from Melbourne, began learning the cello at the age of seven and currently studies under the guidance of her teacher and mentor, David Berlin. She is a highly motivated young musician with a deep passion for both solo and ensemble performance. Lieun has been recognised as a finalist in the Melbourne Recital Centre Bach Competition in 2020 and 2023, and the Baroque Competition in both 2024 and 2025, receiving Encouragement Awards in 2020 and 2024. In 2022, she won first place in the Polish Music Competition (PolMusicA), and in 2023 was a finalist in the Preston Youth Concerto Competition. Most recently, she was named the winner of the 2024 3MBS Young Performer Award and went on to proudly represent Victoria at the National Young Virtuoso Award in Sydney.
Lieun’s love for collaboration and orchestral playing continues to grow. She has participated in numerous Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO) programs, and in 2024 she toured Germany with the Melbourne String Ensemble as the principal cellist. She is incredibly honoured to be joining the AYO’s 2025 European Tour, building on her dream of working alongside outstanding musicians in chamber music and orchestral settings.
Jayden Wayne
11-year-old pianist and harpist Jayden Wayne is a Year 6 student at Scotch College, Melbourne. Jayden began piano studies at age five with Ms Naomi Tang, achieving his AMusA diploma by Year 4. He now refines his artistry under the guidance of renowned pedagogue Mr Glenn Riddle, while also studying harp with Mr Yee Chern Chu for over three years. Jayden is highly accomplished on both piano and harp, and has earned nearly 50 First-Place awards in eisteddfods across Australia and international competitions in the past 3 years. Recent successes include First Prizes at 2025 Vietnam International Piano Competition & Festival, 2025 Musical Society of Victoria’s prestigious Des Stephenson Award. In 2024 Jayden made his concerto debut performing Kabalevsky’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with Scotch College Symphony Orchestra. Jayden is currently preparing for his LMusA examination in piano and ARSM in harp.
Beyond solo performance, Jayden is a passionate ensemble musician, participating in his school’s orchestra, chamber groups and choir. He also enjoys composition and arranging, often inspired by video games soundtracks. Jayden is not only a passionate musician but also an avid reader and sports enthusiast. He loves swimming, running, table tennis and chess. He has actively participated in many fencing competitions, showcasing his dedication and competitive spirit. His love for sports complements his creative pursuits, making him a well-rounded individual who thrives both on and off the stage.