| Biography | Daniel Shao born in 1995 in London is a half-Chinese Flute player currently studying with Katherine Bicknell at the Purcell School of Music and Royal College of Music Junior Department. He started his musical studies at age 7 on the Piano, and began to study Flute at age 9 with Deanne Payne. When he was 12 he began lessons with the Flautist Susan Milan. He has played concertos with orchestra several times including with the Amadeus Orchestra at Kings Place in June 2012. Also an enthusiastic pianist, he won the Prize for the Best Second Study Piano Assessment at the Purcell School, and studies with Lidia Amorelli.
Daniel is Co-Principal Flute of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, Principal flute of the Purcell School Symphony Orchestra, the Royal College of Music Junior Department Symphony Orchestra was Principal Flute of the London Schools Symphony Orchestra, enjoying playing regularly at the UK's top venues.
Daniel has played solo on Chinese Television several times, including a concert filmed in August 2012 for the Chinese Olympic team at the Waldorf Hilton Hotel. He also played as a soloist on Trafalgar Square for the Mayor of London's St. George's Day celebrations 2012. In September 2012 he played a solo recital at the Wigmore Hall through the Purcell School, premiering a new work for solo flute by Philip Dutton. He is also performing as a soloist at New York's Carnegie Hall (Weill Recital Hall) in October 2012.
As a Chamber Musician Daniel tries to play in as many combinations as possible, and has performed with his Wind Quintet from Purcell at Wigmore Hall and Live on Radio 3's 'In Tune'.
Recent competition successes include 1st Prize at the British Flute Society Competition 'School Performer' 2012, 1st Prize in the Alexander & Buono International Flute Competition, The Duke of Edinburgh Prize in Eastbourne Young Soloist Competition, Winner of the Louis Watt Memorial Competition and Runner-up in the Peter Morrisson Concerto Competition at RCM. Daniel has also won 1st prizes in the Concerto Classes of in Sutton, Reigate and Redhill, North London and Kingston Music Festivals over the last 3 years. |