MICHAEL DE HUY
Pianist • Conductor • Composer
Michael de Huy is an eclectic musician that has been described to posses an exciting virtuosity, thoughtful interpretive proficiency, and a captivating musicality in his performances. Over his career, he has studied with prominent pedagogues including Konstantin Scherbakov, Claudio Martinez Mehner, Eldar Nebolsin, Marta Zabaleta, Jacques Rouvier, Lev Natochenny, and Pavel Nersessian. He has likewise performed in cities around Europe and the United States in addition to his Australian Concertising.
Notable performances include his solo debut at the Sydney Opera House as guest artist for Daniel Verstappen, concerto appearances with the Sydney Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra and the Hanoi Philharmonic Orchestra, and original multi-media recital programs such as his 2022 ‘Airs and Surfaces’ created entirely of original improvisation forms. Michael also regularly solo tours around regional NSW.
Michael completed his Bachelor of Music in Performance (Piano) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music under Natalia Ricci, graduating with First Class Honours, a Dean’s List of Excellence Award and the coveted Henderson Postgraduate Travellers Scholarship for further studies in Europe. Currently based in Barcelona, Michael recently completed his Master's degree on full scholarship at the Conservatory of Liceu, where he studied piano under Alex Alguacil and graduated with the highest honours including a perfect score in his final recital. Currently, he is undertaking conducting studies with Salvador Brotons at the Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya (ESMUC).
A prize-winning artist, Michael’s accolades include his recent Second Prize at the 2026 Alain Marinaro International Piano Competition in Collioure, First Prize at the 2024 Sydney Eisteddfod Concerto Competition, First Prize at the 2023 VIPA International Piano Competition, and First Prize in the 2023 SCM Piano Concerto Competition. He was a finalist at the 2024 Australian National Piano Award and a recipient of a 2023 Theme & Variations Foundation National Piano Award.
Likewise, his artistic development has been supported by major awards, including five consecutive years of the Henderson Travellers Scholarships, the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Mendelssohn Scholarship, St Andrew’s College Major Music Scholarships and grants, as well as professional development grants from Create NSW. Awards he has been granted for his academic work include several University of Sydney Merit Prizes, a University Dean’s List of Excellence in Academic Performance Award and the Frank Albert Prize for top marks in the first Year bachelor’s cohort.
Alongside the piano, Michael leads a diverse career frequenting regular concert improvising and conducting work. He made his conducting debut at the Sydney Opera House in 2025, conducting the Australian Vietnamese Youth Orchestra for the 50th anniversary of Vietnamese Settlement in Australia, and has since conducted performances in Barcelona. He has attended conducting masterclasses in Portugal and Australia, and has assisted Fabian Russell. He has also been invited on several occasions solely to improvise in concert.
In addition to his performances, Michael has released two albums of recorded original solo piano works, Reminiscing, Reminisced (2020) and Fae (2021), both released on all major platforms. He also co-arranged selections from De Falla’s El Amor Brujo for two pianos with Natalia Ricci, which premiered in Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney, in 2022. In 2026 he premiered his work ‘Dialogue for Marimba and Piano’ in regional concerts in Australia.
Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Michael’s first teacher was Anatoly Documentov, who was then followed by Glenn Riddle whilst he attended the Victorian College of the Arts. There, he was awarded the Margaret Schofield Award for Excellence in Classical Performance and the Ian Harrison Composition Award for triumphs in both disciplines within his cohort in his final year.