Singapore cellist Junyan Natasha Liu started learning the cello and piano at the age of eight. Making rapid progress, she was admitted into Osaka College of Music as an exchange student when she was fifteen years old. In 2003, she was awarded a first class honours degree in music at NAFA Singapore and was offered a scholarship to further her Master's degree at the prestigious Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (UK).
During her course of study, she participated in many competitions and won several prizes including the Cavatina Chamber Prize consecutively for two years running and the Cardiff Violin Prize. Junyan was also a finalist of the Concerto Competition in 2004. Besides being a prominent principal cellist and performer with the college orchestra and ensembles, Junyan is also engaged as a soloist and chamber musician to many countries throughout Asia and Europe.
Junyan has extensive performance credentials in UK. She gave a cello recital at the Wales Millennium Centre, a first of its kind at that venue. She also gave a concert at St. Marks Cathedral, Venice, and was invited to play at St Catherine's Dock, London, in celebration of the Singapore Season (2005) for which former Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr. Goh Chok Tong was the distinguished guest-of-honor. Her popularity increased after an appearance on ITV performing with McFly at the Royal Variety Show (2005). An audition for the Thy Chamber Music Festival led to a successful tour in Denmark and broadcasts on Danish Radio 4. Thereafter, she was featured in numerous albums and involved in recordings for films and recently the BBC Electric Proms.
Numerous new compositions have also been dedicated to her, one of which has led to a recording of 'On the way' for cello, piano and mezzo-soprano by American composer Victoria Bond, with 1997 BBC Singer of the World winner Guang Yang. Junyan was selected as a placement cellist for BBC NOW, and participated in numerous masterclasses and music festivals across the world. Junyan completed a Master of Music degree, with distinction in performance, in September 2005. She is the cellist with her chamber ensemble In Transit which seeks and performs especially composed new works. She also gives frequent recitals with pianist Andrew Wilson-Dickson in UK. Currently, she is working with Singapore harpist Katryna Tan
on concerts and recording projects.
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