Dream come true for young pianist

Joshua is the first Malaysian to win the Steinway South-East Asia Pacific Regional Finals.

SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD pianist Joshua Lau Jin Quan made the country proud by being the first Malaysian to win the 5th Steinway South-East Asia Pacific Regional Finals.

Joshua, who grew up in Penang, will represent South-East Asia Pacific at the International Steinway Festival in Hamburg, Germany next year.

His performance and those of the eight other pianists around the world were broadcast on the Steinway Malaysia Facebook page on July 18.

Joshua said he had dreamed for some time to perform at the festival.

“Joining the Steinway youth piano competition was something I had wanted to do for a while.

“It was also very fun and exciting to represent Malaysia to compete against others all over Asia Pacific.

“I’m fortunate and grateful that the judges enjoyed my music and I hope that everyone will too.

“Thank you to all for the support and I will continue to practise and work hard,” he said in a recent press statement.

Joshua started his musical journey at the age of six.

Besides piano, he also plays the violin and flute.

His works include ‘Suite for Piano op.2’ which was first performed in 2018 at a concert to raise funds for paediatric cancer patients at Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital in Penang.

His other piece ‘Fantasia Facile op.3’ was performed at AIMS Young Musician of the Year event in 2019.

In 2019, his original piece ‘Journey Through the Rain op.4’ was published in ‘Inspirations - Winners’ Musical Moments for Pianists’, a book showcasing works of 10 chosen young composers.

He was also declared a Malaysian Steinway Young Rising Star.

The same year, Joshua, who was then 15 years old, obtained his Licentiate of Trinity College London with distinction.

In 2020, he won the grand prize for the 5th Steinway Malaysia Youth Piano Competition.

This January, he began his International Baccalaureate studies at the School of the Arts Singapore and was also accepted into the Young Artist Programme at Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music in Singapore.