Shayan Meghdadi is 17 years old and in Grade 11 French Immersion at W.J. Mouat Secondary School. He started studying piano in Abbotsford when he was 4 years old. He participated in 2 BCRMTA “Scholarship of Music” competitions, receiving Silver on his first attempt and Gold on his second. Currently, Shayan has been playing piano for the Sr. Jazz Band at his school for the past three years. He played three movements from “The Carnival of the Animals” by Camille Saint-Saëns for the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra in 2024.
He participated in a masterclass by Dr. Jarred Dunn. He placed second at his school’s talent show in Grade 9 and will compete again on May 14th. Shayan completed his Harmony 9 and Harmony & Counterpoint 10 in 2025.
Kathleen de Vries, 13, started her musical journey at age six. Having entered several Chilliwack Music and Dance Festival competitions over the past four years, starting at RCM Level 3, she has gone on this year to win the Upper Intermediate Piano Champion trophy, Joseph Bayer Baroque Trophy and Ethel Stevenson Memorial Trophy in 2026 competing at level Nine at the Chilliwack Music and Dance Festival. She is chosen to represent Chilliwack in the BC Performing Arts Festival this June. In 2025, Kathleen performed in the Rising Piano Stars Concert with the Valley Symphony Orchestra.
Kathleen loves her school studies and in her spare time enjoys reading, writing and cooking with her mother. She is also a member of her school jazz band where she loves discovering new forms of music, other than classical, as a fun outlet and collaborating with other musicians.
Kathleen intends to complete her RCM studies and go on to ARCT hoping to make music her life’s work.
Chamaine, born in Vancouver, began studying piano at the age of seven. She has since distinguished herself in numerous competitions and festivals, earning multiple medals, trophies, and scholarships at local music festivals.
She was awarded runner-up at the 2025 PABC Provincial Festival and has been nominated again to compete at the 2026 Provincials in Prince George. Chamaine is a two-time scholarship winner at the Gala Competition of the Pacific International Youth Music Festival, as well as a two-time first place winner in her age group at the Crescendo International Competition and a gold medal winner at the 2025 Steinway Junior Competition.
In addition to her competition success, she has earned gold medals from RCM and Conservatory Canada at every level from Grade 2 through 9. As a performer, she has performed at Carnegie Hall and the Chan Centre of UBC. She is also an experienced accompanist and has performed at senior homes.
Queendy Ip started learning piano at the age of five and has completed the Yamaha Music Education Program. In all six years, she received the Yamaha Grade Examination Scholarships. Along with this, she has also completed the Yamaha Piano Grade 6 Exam. When Queendy finished her RCM Level 9 exam, she received the BCRMTA Richmond Branch Highest Mark Award.
In 2022, Queendy participated in the YAMAHA Junior Original Concert with her first piano composition. In order to practice her harmony skills, Queendy often composes original songs with her sister. At her secondary school, Queendy plays flute in the school band and piano in the school jazz band.
Queendy considers the BCRMTA Junior Piano Competition a chance to enhance her musical experience. She is honoured to represent the Richmond Branch in this competition.
Fifteen-year-old Trea began her musical journey at the age of 2 in Singapore. Since moving to Canada at the age of 3 she has been shaped by many musical experiences. She was privileged to perform at an RCM tribute to the compositions of Stephen Chatman during the 2019 graduation ceremonies at the Chan Center. Later she was honoured with the Regional Gold Medal for earning the highest exam mark for both Level 4 and Level 9. Along the way, she has received awards and scholarships at local festivals, including recognition for her compositions. Trea not only loves performing and composing but also improvising and creating variations on other pieces. Outside of music, she loves reading, listening to music and drawing. Her artwork has received national awards in Canada, and a 2nd place in China. She also figure skates, where she finds beautiful classical music to inspire her performances.
Melody Zhu is a talented 11-year-old pianist who began her musical journey at the age of four. Recognized early on for her exceptional musicality, Melody has since built an impressive competitive record. In 2021, at just six years old, she was awarded the Kiwanis Music Festival Medal for Best Baroque Performance (Grades 1-6). The following year, she earned the prestigious RCM Level 6 Gold Medal. Most recently, in 2025, she secured Second Place in the 10-year-old category at the Canadian Music Competition (CMC).
A frequent winner of the Pacific Youth International Music Competition and the SPG Music Festival, Melody is often praised by adjudicators for her delicate touch and profound musical expression. Beyond her solo work, she is a passionate chamber musician; her ensemble recently took First Place at the 2026 Kiwanis Music Festival. Deeply committed to her community, Melody frequently performs at senior homes and serves as a keyboardist for her school and church, sharing her love of music with those around her.