2026 Baroque Competition

Australia’s best young performers.

A performance competition showcasing the country’s best young musicians exploring Baroque brilliance. Formerly known as Melbourne Recital Centre’s Bach Competition, this event’s expansion to encompass repertoire from the entire Baroque period lets young artists explore the works of hundreds of composers.

Come and listen to an array of budding young performers battle it out on stage and enjoy an afternoon of Baroque genius.

The 2026 Baroque Competition is generously supported by Mrs Margaret Ross AM and Dr Ian Ross, and Martine Letts.

This event is presented by Melbourne Recital Centre in association with Competitions Media Partner 3MBS Melbourne.

Tickets

Tickets to the Baroque Competition are free, however booking is required.

Finalists

Maggie Wang (VIC)⁠ cello
Derek Wei (VIC)⁠ double bass
Ein Na (QLD)⁠ violin
Natasha Paran (SA)⁠ violin
Amy Liao (VIC)⁠ piano
Sharon Zhao (NSW)⁠ violin
Joshua Shin (NSW)⁠ oboe
Lieun Park (VIC)⁠ cello
Amber Hu (VIC)⁠ violin

Judges

Josephine Vains
A cellist, chamber musician and educator active across modern and historical fields, Josephine has performed around Australia and internationally as a soloist and member of Firebird Trio, Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, Accademia Arcadia, and Australian Romantic and Classical Orchestra.

Donald Nicolson
Listed among Australia’s best classical performers by the ABC, New Zealand-born harpsichordist, organist, pianist, composer and arranger, Dr Donald Nicolson is a prominent figure in performance and research of the music of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Europe, and in high demand as a keyboardist, composer, and arranger.

Ruth Wilkinson
A recorder, viol and violone player whose musical expertise and passions are based on the performance of music from the 12th to the 18th centuries, Ruth Wilkinson is a member of many of Australia’s leading early music ensembles including La Romanesca, Capella Corelli and Consort Eclectus.