7th Macau Flute Competition & Festival – Online First Round

Chiayu Kuo
Jun 12
9 min read

Updated: Jun 12

The 7th Macau International Flute Competition & Flute Festival – Online First Round

Online registration is open until 19 September 2025.

Outstanding players will be invited to the Final Round in Macau in February 2026.

We hope to see you there!

Judging Panel

Sanqing Chen Flute Soloist • Educator • Founder of Raylliant Ensemble

Sanqing Chen is a renowned Chinese flutist and music educator. Born in Guangzhou in 1964, he began studying flute at age 8 and became a soloist with the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra at just 13.

He later trained in Switzerland with legendary flutists Aurèle Nicolet and Maxence Larrieu, and won international prizes in The Hague and Geneva.

Chen has performed extensively across Europe and Asia with leading orchestras and artists, and has released numerous recordings featuring works by Bach, Vivaldi, and French composers.

From 2000 to 2008, he was principal flutist of the Beijing Symphony Orchestra and has held teaching posts at major Chinese conservatories. He co-founded the Guangzhou International Flute Competition and, in 2023, launched the Raylliant Ensemble to promote chamber music in China.

Ma Yong Flute Professor • Soloist • International Jury Member

Ma Yong is a flute professor and doctoral advisor at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. He is also guest principal flutist of the China National Symphony Orchestra.

He studied at the Central Conservatory of Music and later became the first Chinese flutist admitted to The Juilliard School, where he earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He has won top prizes in major international competitions, including the Washington and New York Flute Competitions, and gave a solo recital at Carnegie Hall.

Ma has performed with leading orchestras around the world and held masterclasses in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. He has served as a jury member for many major flute competitions, including the 3rd Nicolet International Flute Competition, the 2018 Guangzhou International Flute Competition, and the 17th Tchaikovsky International Music Competition — where he became the first Chinese flutist ever invited as a jury member.

In 2014, he was named one of China’s Top Ten Wind Instrumentalists. In 2018, he became the first Chinese flutist featured on the cover of Europe’s leading flute magazine Flöte Aktuell, highlighting his efforts in promoting flute development in China.

Zhang Xiaoping Flutist • Composer • Educator

Zhang Xiaoping is a flutist, composer, and senior educator. He is a member of the Chinese Musicians Association and Executive Director of the Asia Flute Federation (China). A graduate of Xi’an Conservatory, he has composed music for major productions such as Jinggangshan and A Dream of Dunhuang, and published many flute teaching materials.

He has judged national and international flute competitions and was invited to compose required pieces for the 2014 Nicolet and 2018 Guangzhou flute competitions. Many of his students now study and perform with top music institutions in China and abroad.

Zhu Ji Flutist • Educator

Zhu Ji is a professor of flute at Sichuan Conservatory of Music and a postgraduate supervisor. In 1999, he studied in the U.S. as a visiting scholar, receiving guidance from top flutists including Peterson, Leone Buyse, Robinson, and Jeanne Baxtresser. He later trained with flute masters Aurèle Nicolet and Peter-Lukas Graf in Europe.

He has performed in many international flute festivals and taught students who have gone on to top global music schools and won competition prizes. Zhu Ji has served as a judge in both national and international flute competitions, including the first National Golden Bell Flute Competition in 2014.

Gao Qinping Flute Professor • Educator

Gao Qinping is a professor and master's supervisor at Xi’an Conservatory of Music. A 1988 graduate, he served as principal flutist of the Shaanxi Symphony Orchestra and later as head of the woodwind department (1999–2019). He is currently President of the Flute Committee of the Shaanxi Musicians Association.

Many of his students have entered top music schools and won major flute competitions. He has performed solo and given lectures at music festivals and masterclasses across China and abroad and has served as a judge in numerous flute competitions. He is also active in cross-disciplinary music research and performance projects.

Zhu Lujun Flutist • Educator • Artistic Director

Zhu Lujun is a flutist and associate professor at Shanxi University, where he also serves as a master’s supervisor. He is Vice Chairman of the Shanxi Musicians Association and Artistic Director of the Zhiyin Wind Ensemble. He was a visiting scholar at Zurich University of the Arts in Switzerland.

Zhu has performed widely in China and abroad, led many music festivals and large-scale concerts, and served as a judge for major competitions including the Beijing Nicolet and Guangzhou International Flute Competitions. He has published academic work, trained award-winning students, and actively promotes wind music education across China.

Elzbieta Wolenska Flutist • Educator • Guest Artist

Elzbieta Wolenska is a Polish flutist and professor, currently teaching at Zhaoqing University in China. She holds a doctorate and habilitation from the Karol Lipinski Academy of Music in Wrocław and also earned a Diplôme Supérieur de Concertiste in Paris under Pierre-Yves Artaud. She has served as President of the Polish Flute Association since 2010.

An active performer, she plays solo, chamber, and orchestral music across Europe and Asia. Her repertoire spans classical, jazz, and contemporary works, including pieces for piccolo, alto, and bass flute. She has released two albums and often collaborates with young composers

Qu Dawei Composer • Pianist • Conductor

Qu Dawei is a member of the Chinese Musicians Association’s Piano Society and serves as a composer-in-residence for the China Oriental Performing Arts Group. He graduated from both the Central Conservatory of Music (composition) and the China Conservatory of Music (conducting), and won the top award at the 2018 Osaka International Music Competition.

He is the music director for the music-dance theatre production “A Night at the Museum” by Tan Yuanyuan & Friends. Qu regularly performs and premieres his works internationally—in venues like Suntory Hall in Japan, Lincoln Center in New York, and the Municipal Hall in Greece. He also orchestrates and plays piano in major concerts, such as arranging Chinese folk-infused pieces for large ensembles.

Zhang YuanRui Flutist • Performer • PhD Researcher

Zhang YuanRui is a professional flutist currently studying for her PhD at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. She is also a freelance flute teacher at Tongji University and a member of China’s national expert panel for art exams.

She was principal flutist of the Shanghai Opera House Symphony Orchestra (2014–2024) and has worked with orchestras in Guangzhou, Macau, Shenzhen, Qingdao, Suzhou, Zhejiang, and Hebei. She graduated from Zurich University of the Arts with a Master’s in Orchestra Performance and a Soloist Diploma.

Zhang has performed widely across opera, ballet, symphony, and chamber music. Highlights include solo performances at the Shanghai Concert Hall, tours with the German Radio Symphony Orchestra, and productions with the Royal Opera House, Komische Oper Berlin, and the National Ballet of the USA.

She has recorded for advanced flute etude books, released two albums, and served as a judge in major youth competitions. In 2021, she founded the Opal Flute Ensemble, presenting Chinese chamber works at the Shanghai Concert Hall.

Let me know if you want to cut it even more for a one-paragraph bio or translate into Chinese or another language.

Gao Yuan Flutist • Educator • Performer

Gao Yuan is a young flutist based in Germany and currently teaches flute at Xi’an Conservatory of Music. She won the Silver Prize at the 9th China Golden Bell Flute Competition in 2014.

Gao studied at the University of Music Würzburg and the Mannheim University of Music and Performing Arts in Germany. She has twice been selected for the Kobe International Flute Competition in Japan, achieving excellent results both times.

Chen Tong Flutist • Baroque Specialist • performer

Chen Tong is a Baroque flutist and modern flute performer with the Pearl River Film Orchestra. She studied at the China Conservatory of Music and later earned a Master’s degree in Zurich. She then specialised in Baroque flute in Germany under renowned teachers and received the highest performance diploma from Stuttgart University of Music.

She has performed at major festivals across Europe and China, including Freiburg, Ruhr, Bruges, and the Beijing International Music Festival. Her collaborations with Folkwang Barock Ensemble have earned critical acclaim. Since 2021, she has served as guest instructor in Baroque Performance Practice at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.

Zhu YuJian Flutist • Educator • Performer

Zhu YuJian is a flutist and professor at the Rome International Academy of Music and the Sichuan Conservatory of Music. He holds three Master’s degrees in flute performance from music schools in China, Switzerland, and Norway, as well as diplomas in Baroque flute and chamber music from Italy.

He is Vice President and Secretary-General of the Sichuan Flute Association and a committee member of the German Music Council. Zhu founded the CIAO International Classical Music Festival and has studied with leading flutists in Europe, including Mario Ancillotti and Andrea Oliva.

Zhu has won over 20 international prizes, including top awards at competitions in France, Poland, the USA, Italy, Germany, and the UK. He has performed across China, Europe, the US, and Asia, and collaborated with renowned artists worldwide.

As an educator, his students have also won major solo and chamber music prizes. He has co-authored and published flute method books and recordings, and contributes regularly to academic journals.

Gan Quan Flutist • Performer• Guest Artist

Gan Quan is a signed artist with Alpine Flutes. From 2013 to 2015, she served as guest principal flutist with the Guangdong Pearl River Symphony Orchestra. She has also been invited as a jury member, mentor, and guest performer at various national and international flute competitions and festivals.

Competition Guidelines:

No.1 –Competition Format

Participants must register online and upload their performance video.
All jury members are renowned flutists from both China and abroad.
Judges will score each video independently.
Outstanding entries from each category will be published on the organiser’s public platform for announcement.

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No.2 – Video Submission Deadline

From now to 19 September 2025

No.3 – Results Announcement Date

10 October 2025

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No.4 – Registration & Video Submission Method

To register for the 7th Macao International Flute Competition,

please scan the QR code below.

Participants must complete registration and send their performance video to the designated email address within the specified time. Late submissions will be considered a voluntary withdrawal, and no refunds will be issued.。

Video file name format:

Category (Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced / Junior Professional / Senior Professional) + Participant's Full Name + Piece Title + 7th Macao International Flute Competition – Online First Round

Email ：mcea_macao@vip.163.com

Video Requirements

The participant must state their category, full name, and the title of the piece at the beginning of the video.
Videos must be recorded in one take, with no interruptions or editing.
Professional recording equipment is recommended to ensure clear sound and image quality, as poor quality may affect final scoring.
Use a fixed camera position with no shaking. The participant’s face, full body, instrument, and surroundings must be clearly visible.
Videos must be recorded in landscape orientation and submitted in MP4 format. Failure to meet this requirement may result in disqualification.

No.5 – Age Categories & Required Repertoire

Beginner Group

For participants aged 13 or under (born after 19 September 2011)

Required piece: Gurlitt – Flute Study No. 13, Op. 131

Intermediate Group

For participants aged 14 to 17 (born between 20 September 2006 and 19 September 2011)

Required piece: Andersen – Etude No. 6, Op. 33

Advanced Group

For participants aged 18 or above (born on or before 19 September 2006)

Required piece: Oleg – Goat Dance for solo flute

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Junior Professional Group

For participants under 18 (born after 19 September 2006)

Required piece: C.P.E. Bach – Unaccompanied Sonata in A minor, 1st movement

Senior Professional Group

For participants 18 or above (born on or before 19 September 2006)

Required piece: J.S. Bach – Caprice No. 8 from 24 Caprices for Solo Flute (repeats not required)

No.6 – Awards

First Prize: 90 points or above

Second Prize: 85–89 points

Third Prize: 80–84 points

Merit Award: 75–79 points

Good Performance Award: 70–74 points

Encouragement Award: 65–69 points

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No.7 – Certificates & Honours

All participants will receive a certificate.

Those who qualify for the 7th Macao International Flute Competition Final (in person) and Flute Arts Festival may check in at the venue with their qualification certificate. The preliminary round registration fee will be refunded on site.

Registration Enquiries

Miss Wong : +86 15384342958

Miss Xuē : +853-62434649

Miss Lin :+86 13829108600（Wechat）

MCEA Wechat ：MCEA2013

EMail：mcea_macao@163.com

Important Notes

Each category has a required piece. Participants may choose only one category to enter. Any version of the piece may be used. Memorisation is not required, and all repeat signs may be skipped.

Once your registration is accepted, the fee is non-refundable and cannot be transferred to another person.

Please submit one ID photo and one performance photo, both in JPG or PNG format, with file size no larger than 5MB.

All photos and videos related to this competition will become the property of the organizer and may be used for promotion and publicity purposes.

By registering, you agree to all competition rules and must respect the judges’ decisions. If you have questions, please contact the judging panel in writing or by email after the competition.