Li Xie (piano)
Born in Shanghai in 1987, Li Xie began studying piano at the age of four. In 2005, she pursued her studies abroad being accepted to Mozarteum University in Salzburg, Austria. She graduated with Highest Distinction (cum laude) receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Solo Pianist under Professor Peter Lang. She then continued under Professor Jacques Rouvier, receiving a Master of Arts once again with Highest Distinction. Given her cum laude achievements, she was selected for the highest degree program of Postgraduate in Solo Pianist, completing this degree and her studies at Mozarteum in 2013. During her postgraduate studies, she began participating as a piano accompanist and playing chamber music. In 2014, she moved to Paris to begin her studies in Piano Accompaniment at the Conservatory of Paris (CRR de Paris) under Professor Arian Jacob and Professor Jean-Marie Cottet. She received in 2016 the highest degree in piano accompaniment: Concertiste – Accompagnement au Piano. In 2016, Li Xie began her professional career in piano teaching and accompaniment at the Conservatory of Paris (17ème Arrondissement). And in 2021, Li Xie joined the Musica Mundi School as an accompanist. Li Xie has demonstrated her excellence as both a concert pianist and in playing chamber music. She won the second prize at the Mozart Prize Competition (Salzburg), and attained the semi-final in the Richard Vines International Piano Competition (Lleida).
Kumi Matsuo (piano)
Kumi Matsuo is a versatile solo pianist, chamber musician and accompanist. She has won numerous competitions including First Prize in the 6th Isidor Bajic Memorial Piano Competition in Serbia and First Prize in the 5th Louisiana International Piano Competition, USA. She is now on the staff at RCM, working as Duo Coach to the String Faculty, as well as accompanying other instruments.
Kumi studied at the Toho Gakuen College of Music, Tokyo, and then at the Royal College of Music (RCM), London studying with John Blakely and Ashley Wass and completed her studies there with Artist Diploma and Master of Music in Performance with Distinction. She has also finished the Anthony Saltmarsh Junior Fellow in Accompaniment. Her study was generously supported by Charles Napper Award, the Russell Gander Award and the Rohm Music Foundation.
During her study at RCM, Kumi won RCM concerto competition twice and performed Ravel's Piano Concerto for Left Hand in Cadogan Hall with RCM Sinfonietta conducted by Peter Stark and Prokofiev's 3rd Piano Concerto with RCM Symphony Orchestra under Martin André in the Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall, RCM. She also played Schnittke's Concerto Grosso No.1 with RCM Chamber Orchestra under Vladimir Jurowski at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.
As soloist and chamber musician Kumi has played extensively in the UK and abroad, performing at venues including Wigmore Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Windsor Castle, Elgar Room (Royal Albert Hall), Carnegie Hall Weill Recital Hall, Royal Baths Park (Poland), Dubai Opera (Studio), Tokyo Opera City Hall, Tokyo Bunka Kaikan and Kioi Hall.
Kumi enjoys collaborating with other instrumetalists and performing in recitals across the UK. She has been an official accompanist for the Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition since 2022.