Thirteen-year-old piano student Zachary Li, of Nicholls, recently named winner of the ACT Young Virtuoso Award, will head to the National Fine Music Network Young Virtuoso Award Finals at the Joseph Post Auditorium, Sydney Conservatorium, on November 23.

Hosted by ArtSound FM, the Canberra leg of the awards were open to instrumentalists under 25 or vocalists under 30 and were judged by composers Sally Greenaway and Marian Budos.

Zachary, who also took out five first prizes at the Australian National Eisteddfod this year, won recording time at ArtSound’s studios as well as fares and accommodation to attend the National Awards.

He now studies with Canberra’s Stephanie Neeman, but embarked on his piano studies at the tender age of four and distinguished himself as a prodigy by passing the ABRSM Grade 8 piano examination at the age of seven.

He has also won recognition in the Henle International Piano Competition, Shoalhaven Eisteddfod and Cowra Eisteddfod. He won the Ann Thompson Memorial scholarship in 2023.

His coming performances will include a charity concert to support the Canberra Hospital Foundation and he plans to offer pro bono piano lessons to disadvantaged children.