Haydn Staples & Auckland Philharmonia Piano Scholarship Programme
The Haydn Staples & Auckland Philharmonia Piano Scholarship Programme is awarded to three Piano Scholars each year for showing outstanding potential and commitment to excelling both nationally and internationally as a pianist. Since 2018 we have supported 17 students and provided 26 scholarships.
The Scholarship Programme is administered by the Auckland Philharmonia, in conjunction with the University of Auckland’s School of Music, and made possible by the generous support of Haydn Staples. The Programme supports the Scholars for the duration of their studies by providing them with opportunities to develop a wide-ranging portfolio of skills that complement their advanced solo studies. These include:
A scholarship of $2,000 per year towards the cost of music studies
Six extra piano lessons with highly respected New Zealand piano teachers
The opportunity to participate in masterclass with an international artist performing with the Auckland Philharmonia
One performance as part of a piano trio ensemble with Auckland Philharmonia musicians in recital
One solo performance in recital
One solo performance in concert with the Auckland Philharmonia
Tickets to all Auckland Philharmonia piano concerto concerts each season
Employability skills mentoring and professional development
Participation in alumni activities once scholar has completed programme.
Associate Professor Rae de Lisle and Senior Lecturer Stephen de Pledge at the School of Music say:
“We are delighted at the prospect of this new programme for advanced piano students. It aims to provide students with a wide-ranging portfolio of skills to complement their advanced solo studies, and will prove beneficial in numerous ways. This new programme offers opportunities in chamber music, collaborative playing, orchestral piano and communication skills, in addition to a performance-based solo piano focus. These experiences and training opportunities are invaluable for student pianists, and will give them vastly improved options for career paths in many diverse areas of music. As educators our task is to give students the widest range of skills for the marketplace, and the varied skill-set and quality-driven focus of this programme will be highly valued.
This is a unique programme, and is specifically aimed towards greater employability of students at the end of their study. A wealth of performance experience in all areas is offered, alongside training and mentoring from internationally recognised teachers and collaborating musicians. The chosen piano scholars will be those who have outstanding potential and who are committed to excelling both nationally and internationally. The School of Music at the University of Auckland is delighted to partner in this unique initiative with the Auckland Philharmonia, and is grateful for the very generous support of Haydn Staples.”
The Haydn Staples & Auckland Philharmonia Piano Programme is part of Learn & Participate.
Piano Events
Our Students
Class of 2026
Hana Tani (2026)
Hana Tani is a third-year student at the University of Auckland, pursuing a degree in classical performance on piano under the tutelage of Stephen De Pledge.
Her musical journey began at the age of six, and over the years, she has earned first place recognition in various competitions such as the North Shore, South and West Auckland Performing Arts Competitions as well as in the Institute of Registered Music Teachers (IRMTNZ) competition where she won the Margaret Doone Memorial Piano Sonata Scholarship and the D’D O’Connor Scholarship. Hana has also been a recipient of various University of Auckland Music Scholarships which supports her pursuit of excellence in music.
A particularly memorable highlight was performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Auckland Philharmonia in the Auckland Town Hall as one of the finalists in the School of Music Concerto competition. Beyond the concert stage, Hana finds great joy in sharing music within the community. She has presented many solo recitals at retirement villages across Auckland, valuing the meaningful connections formed through live performance. Hana is committed to continuing her growth as an artist and performer, eager to explore new opportunities in the world of music.
Dylan Tang (2025-2026)
Dylan Tang is a 20-year-old pianist in the final year of his Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Auckland, where he studies under Rae de Lisle and Stephen de Pledge. He began playing the piano at the age of six and has since won several competitions across New Zealand, including the North Shore Performing Arts Competitions (NSPACS), the Lewis Eady competitions, and the Institute of Registered Music Teachers (IRMT) competitions. In 2023, he was awarded both the Mary Nathan Memorial Scholarship and the Margaret Doone Memorial Scholarship. Dylan was also selected as a semifinalist in the prestigious Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition in 2024.
Dylan has performed in numerous recitals throughout Auckland and has participated in masterclasses with distinguished pianists including Benjamin Grosvenor and Michael Houstoun. He is passionate about exploring a wide range of repertoire and is committed to developing a refined pianistic playing. As both a soloist and collaborative musician, he strives to communicate deeply with audiences and continues to pursue opportunities for artistic growth and performance.
Matthew Seinafo (2026)
From Christchurch, Matthew began learning piano with Marnie Barrell in 2017 and by 2022 achieved his ATCL diploma with Distinction. In 2024, he began a Bachelor of Music at the University of Auckland, studying with Stephen De Pledge, Rae de Lisle and the late Katherine Austin; mentors he is incredibly grateful to learn from.
In 2025, Matthew was selected as an emerging artist for the At The World's Edge Chamber Music Festival, held in October. From that festival, he was awarded the 2026 Pettman Royal Overseas League Scholarship, enabling an extensive European performance and professional development tour. Matthew is also fortunate enough to be a 2026 scholar of the Auckland Philharmonia through the Haydn Staples Auckland Philharmonia Piano Scholarship.
Matthew won joint first place in the University of Auckland Concerto Competition, earning the opportunity to perform a concerto with the Auckland Philharmonia. He has participated in masterclasses with distinguished artists including Paul Lewis, Inon Barnatan, as well as leading New Zealand musicians.
A passionate chamber musician, Matthew has performed in numerous ensembles ranging from duos to piano quintets. During his high school years, he reached the regional finals of the NZCT Chamber Music Contest three times, performing piano quintets by Schumann, Brahms, and Elgar.
During his time at the University of Auckland, Matthew has frequently performed in a cello and piano duo, presenting works by Beethoven, Franck, Schubert, Shostakovich, and Britten. Matthew also plays viola and enjoys performing with the University of Auckland Orchestra.
