Whanganui High School Performing Arts

Big Congrats to ex-student Liam Wooding!

River City Press Whanganui

Liam Wooding named as a finalist for the Australia National Piano Award

Liam Wooding was born and bred in Whanganui. His love of the piano was fostered at an early age, which grew through his learning and experiences — particularly the NZCT Chamber Music Contest, which he participated in five times.

Liam went on to study piano in Auckland and Hamilton, graduating with a Master’s degree in music. He was then accepted into the selective piano class at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) and remained there for three years. More recently, he studied in the United States as a Fulbright Scholar.

He has performed throughout New Zealand, including Whanganui many times, and now in Australia, where he works as a university lecturer.

The Australian National Piano Award is a prestigious biennial event showcasing the finest emerging classical pianists in Australia and Liam has been named as a finalist in the 2026 Festival.

Liam told the RCP that “I auditioned for the award, which is by recording — audio to ensure anonymity. According to their social media account the competition received a record number of entries. Their screening panel then chooses 12 to perform at the festival, and over the various rounds, will be reduced to six and then three in the grand finals.”

Unlike many piano competitions, finalists cannot win the Award with a single standout performance. Instead, they must perform a demanding and diverse range of solo recitals in pursuit of over $75,000 in prize money.

Music by New Zealand composers has always been present in his music making, and this interest led him to commence a doctoral degree at the University of Waikato on this topic. As a result, Liam often works with some of New Zealand’s best-known contemporary composers, such as Reuben Jellyman, Janet Jennings, and John Psathas.

“Right now I’m preparing for the competition in amongst various other gigs; my teaching at the university begins again this week and I’ve just finished playing a couple of shows with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.”

“I’m one of the eldest in the competition, so for me it’s about going there and doing my best. I suspect this will be my last competition.”

31/7/26