Vivian Kao

Vivian Kao is a 16-year-old pianist from Cupertino, California. Vivian was recently named a 2024 National YoungArts Winner in Classical Music. Vivian was named the first place state winner of the 2024 CAPMT Contemporary Competition and the recipient of the Andrys Basten award.

Vivian is a prizewinner of MTNA California, MTAC Solo, CAPMT Honors, ENKOR International, Marilyn Mindell, American Fine Arts Festival, Burlingame Music Competition, & the United States Open Music Competition. She has been invited to perform at Carnegie Hall, the Van Cliburn Concert Hall, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and the Robert Schumann Museum in Germany. Vivian has performed at the PianoTexas International Festival, the Southeastern Piano Festival, and the American Liszt Society Festival. Vivian studies with Sasha Starcevich and Armen Babakhanian. She has been fortunate to have received masterclasses from professors Tamás Ungár, Steven Spooner, Igor Resnianski, Veda Kaplinsky, & Gabriel Kwok.

Additionally, Vivian also enjoys playing the cello. She is a section leader in her school's orchestra and has performed in the California All-State High School Orchestra and the California Youth Symphony. Vivian has severe to profound hearing loss and wears hearing aids, but that won’t stop her from learning music.