Fingertip Magic and Symphonic Resonance: An Interview with 10-Year-Old Piano Rising Star Millicent Gao

In this spirit, we turn our attention to ten-year-old piano rising star Millicent Gao. In the world of classical music, there are always shining young faces that catch everyone's eye, and Millicent is definitely one of them. Since starting piano at age five, she has racked up an impressive list of honors: from the Artciál International Piano Competition and the Dan Zhaoyi Piano Teaching Exhibition Invitational Tournament, to back-to-back strong finishes at the San Francisco International Piano Competition (taking Second Place in 2025 and First Place in 2026). In December 2025, she also achieved Distinction in her ABRSM Grade 8 examination with a score of 146/150.

Recently, Millicent hit a major milestone—performing as the sole piano soloist alongside the New York International Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of conductor Scott Gentile, at the 2026 New York Big Apple Music Festival - NextGen Crossover Music Concert, held at the DiMenna Center for Classical Music. Before that, she also performed at Vienna’s historic Ehrbar Saal with the Hungarian Savaria Symphony Orchestra.

Introducing herself, Millicent shares, "Hi everyone, my name is Millicent Gao. I am 10 years old, and I play the piano." Having started entering competitions at age five and scoring high on her ABRSM Grade 8, she balances her busy practice schedule with a vibrant array of hobbies. Reflecting on how she manages it all, she notes, "Piano isn't just practice for me; it's a way to express my feelings. Aside from playing piano, I totally love figure skating, ballet, art, animation, math, and writing. I feel like these interests are all connected—for example, ballet and skating give my body a better sense of rhythm, while math and writing help me figure out complex sheet music structures faster."

At the 2026 New York Big Apple Music Festival - NextGen Crossover Music Concert, Millicent took center stage performing the Haydn Piano Concerto No. 11 in D major, Hob. XVIII:11, 1st Movement. Describing the preparation, she shares, "Even though we had less than two months to get ready, every rehearsal felt super exciting!" Marking her second time working with a full symphony orchestra following her performance with the Hungarian Savaria Symphony Orchestra in Vienna, she reflects on the unique experience: "The biggest difference is that it feels like chatting with a huge group of uncles, aunties, and older brothers and sisters! When you play alone, you call all the shots, but with an orchestra, I have to keep my ears wide open to everyone's breathing and watch the conductor's cues. It's super teamwork and so thrilling."

During rehearsals, conductor Scott Gentile provided constant encouragement. Millicent recalls with a smile, "Uncle Scott was super gentle and encouraging. The funniest part was when he explained one of the sections by comparing it to Haydn's version of 'James Bond'! Once he said that, it clicked instantly, and I could totally feel that cool, slightly mysterious vibe."

The performance itself brought an unforgettable surprise: "Right after the performance finished, all the musicians in the orchestra started stomping their feet hard on the floor to applaud for me! That thunderous foot-stamping tradition in classical music felt so shocking and so warm. When I walked off stage, I got to shake hands firmly with conductor Scott and the concertmaster. As soon as it was over, the very first person I wanted to share the excitement with was my teacher, Ms. Jingyang Dong!"

Looking at how this collaboration has shaped her artistry, Millicent explains, "Totally! Before, when I played solos, I only focused on pressing the keys, but now when I play, lots of different instrument sounds pop into my head. I imagine what a chord would sound like if a cello or flute played it instead. This symphonized thinking makes my piano playing feel way more layered and three-dimensional." When asked to describe the collaboration in one word, she answers, "My word is 'Enthusiastic.' Because whether it was the music itself, the support from the orchestra, or the audience's reaction, everything felt so full of passion and energy."

Having participated in masterclasses with artists like Orli Shaham, Olga Kern, Lisa Yui, and Michael Lewin, and finishing a two-week intensive at Ocean Music Academy this August, Millicent looks forward to her next musical horizons. "Those learning experiences really opened my eyes and taught me so much. If I get the chance to play with an orchestra again in the future, I would love to tackle the Mozart Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K.467, 1st Movement. That piece sounds both pure and grand, and I'm super excited to try mastering it!"

Ten-year-old Millicent Gao is like a little star full of energy. With her brilliant competition achievements, solid technical foundation, and endless curiosity and spark for music, she continues to bring wonderful melodies to her inspiring musical journey. Millicent currently studies piano at Starworks Music Studios in White Plains.