Born in Auckland, Tony began piano studies at the age of 5, and commenced lessons on violin, trumpet, and french horn shortly after. At the age of 21, his debut solo piano album "Homecoming" has recently been conceived and released with Rattle Records. As a Young Artist, he has concertised at the Wakatipu and Akaroa Music Festivals in New Zealand, as well as at prominent venues in Switzerland, Spain and Canada where he also studied at Summer programmes with distinguished musical artists.

Tony has been pursuing and undergraduate degree at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York with Prof. Alan Chow, and is a recipient of the Martha Stone Scholorship. He was the winner of the 2019 Wallace National Piano compeition, and has since appeared as a concerto soloist with the Bach Music Orchestra and Nelso Symphony.

12 Winners

In collaboration with Auckland Live, we're proud to annouce 12 young people (aged 16-25) will receive a grant to create their own all-ages music gic in the Auckland region. Due to the great applications received, this is two more than we had planned on awarding! 

Each grant is for $500 cash, plus in-kind technical support from Auckland Live (valued at $2,500 per grant). The total grant fund is $5,000 (Plus $25,000 in-kind technical support from Auckland Live)

Auckland-born classical musician Tony Yan Tong Chen is the most recent winner of the New Zealand National Piano Competition, and is preparing for the launch of his first piano solo album. Taking a gap year (due to covid) from his studies at the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, he has concertised throughout New Zealand, most notably as a Young Artist of the Wakatipu and Akaroa Music Festivals, and concerto soloist with the Bach Musica and Nelson Symphony orchestras.

He has also studied with distinguished artists throughout Europe, and concertised at prominent venues in Switzerland, Spain, and Canada. His comprehensive skill set also includes formal training and performing experience on the violin, trumpet, french horn, and harpsichord.

Tony organised three performances for TrioZeus in July 21.

 With her signature style of acoustic and synth-pop mixed with resolute rock, soft, humming vocals and a towering, operatic voice, Venice has recently captured the attention of Lady Gaga and P!nk's sound and recording wizards.  “At 18 years old, Venice has a maturity and work ethic that draws parallels to many of the world’s top artists I have worked with over the last 20 years,” says Ratu Gordon, who has served as a head sound engineer for Lady Gaga’s Enigma Concerts. Her voice is a revelation, immensely powerful. This compelling combination makes her a force to be reckoned with. Venice recently headlined a sold out concert at Auckland's Civic Theatre.  Enticing the audience to come into her world of creativity, emotion and melody, this is a young woman who embraces life and passion in an infectious way.

VENICE "Queen of the Night"
7:30pm, Thu 10 February, 2022
The Tuning Fork, Auckland
Get Tickets 

Odds & Ends are frothing to bring you their latest single “Something Else” and an oversized release party at the Tuning Fork! The new single is a genre blender and balances on a tightrope between indie-rock and alternative pop. This is our most “kiwi-sounding” song yet and we mixed and mastered this one completely remotely and completely DIY.

Their last single Picture reached some new milestones for the band, but unfortunately, its all-ages release show was cancelled due to another Covid lockdown. It did create an opportunity for the band to remotely finish their latest single, Something Else, and plan their biggest show yet. Odds & Ends will hit the stage at the iconic Tuning Fork in Tāmaki Makaurau to celebrate the release of their new single, an all-ages show with support from more locals Flaxxies, Borderline, and Coast Arcade.

April 23 2022
7.30pm
The Tuning Fork
Get tickets here

Rising 24 year old Auckland Artist Sam V is spearheading the new generation of R&B in NZ. A noted singer/songwriter, performer, choirmaster and director, Sam V has been working diligently to create platforms engraved within the kaupapa of elevating fellow young & ascending talent. 

One of those platforms is Auckland based collective, Young & $lept On (Y$O). Started in 2019 by Sam V and producer, EDY - the duo noticed a lack of live performance opportunities for growing artists. Not to be discouraged, they started hosting their own shows at various K Road venues, gradually rising from smaller venues (such as the Wine Cellar) to the esteemed Tuning Fork, which Y$O has sold out twice. 

Having hosted 10 shows in Auckland over the last 2 years, Y$O has fast built a reputation for showcasing and promoting some of the best talent NZ has to offer including Aidan Fine, JARNA, Kaysh, Rei, Mikey Mayz, bKIDD, Church & AP, Cee Blu, Disciple Pati & The Westernguide. 

On Saturday April 9th in tandem with Auckland City of Music (ACOM) and AucklandLive, Sam V is excited to announce Y$O’s first ever Southside Showcase, taking place at the Mangere Arts Centre featuring a host of rising and established talent such as Disciple Pati, Sonatane Kaufusi, JARNA, William Fepuleai, D Money the Don and Y$O.

Y$O Presents: Y$O Southside Showcase
Saturday April 9th
Mangere Arts Centre
Get Tickets here