Matthew Cheung, 16, began learning piano at age 10 and has studied with accomplished teachers, including Ms. Lixia Li, Dr. Salina K.Y. Cheng, and his current instructor, Mr. David Vandereyk.
His achievements include several accolades from the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM). He earned the regional Gold Medal for the highest marks in Grade 9 RCM piano examination. In 2022, Matthew achieved his ARCT in Piano Performance with First Class Honors with Distinction. By January 2024, he completed his LRCM in Piano Performance, earning First Class Honors with Distinction again and another Gold Medal.
Matthew has been an active participant in numerous local music festivals. At the Vancouver Kiwanis Music Festival 2023 and 2024, he earned various awards across categories, spanning from the Baroque to Modern eras, in both solo and chamber performances. He won First Places in Level 12 as well as Senior Division Scholarships in the 2023 BCRMTA Canada Music Week Festival and the 2024 Student Performers’ Guild Competition. At the 2023 Coquitlam District Music Festival, he secured the CDMF Scholarship and a nomination to PABC Senior Piano Category. Matthew also earned the Gold Medal in Division IV (ages 14-28) at the 2023 Steinway Piano Competition and the Silver Medal in the Young Artists category (ages 13-17) at the 2023 Vancouver International Music Competition.
On a broader stage, Matthew’s success at the 2023 Performing Arts BC Provincial Festival (PABC) earned him First Place in the Senior Piano Category and a nomination to represent British Columbia at the Canada West Performing Arts Festival. In the following year, he won First Place at the Provincial Excellence Class at the 2024 PABC Provincial Festival and placed First in the 2024 Canada West Performing Arts Festival.
Beyond music, Matthew is passionate about science and enjoys cooking, reading, gardening and playing badminton in his free time.