Rob Hao

Rob Hao is an Australian pianist and composer originally born in Auckland, New Zealand and raised in Sydney. He began studying piano with Ransford Elsley and gave his first concerto performance at age 16, playing Prokofiev’s Third Piano Concerto. Rob moved to London to study at the Royal College of Music, where he double majors in piano and composition, winning top prizes and engaging deeply with both traditional and contemporary repertoires. His musicianship has been described as ranging from ‘absolute stillness’ to ‘stirring and impetuous,’ and his performances have taken him around Australia, the UK, and Europe, including debuts at iconic venues like the Sydney Opera House and the Melbourne Recital Centre.

As a composer, Rob draws inspiration from a wide variety of musical sources—from sea shanties to Arnold Schoenberg—and has been recognized with commissions and awards such as the High Barnet Chamber Music Festival’s Call for Scores. He is noted for his interest in 20th and 21st-century music and collaborative projects, having premiered over thirty works recently. His repertoire spans from Baroque to cutting-edge contemporary composers, reflecting his broad musical interests and versatility. Rob continues to live and work in London, with a debut solo piano LP slated for release in 2025 and ongoing projects including a contemporary completion of a Schubert piano sonata and new orchestral works.