Unleashing Musical Potential
Rising Stars in Chamber Music: An Interview with Polly Lee and Elise Tian
Polly Lee and Elise Tian, Stellar Music Scholars at Rangi Ruru Girls’ School in Christchurch, are making waves in the New Zealand classical music scene. Both students are Pettman Music Students studying piano under Michael Endres, although Elise’s primary instrument is the cello. Together with violinist Chloe Jiang, they form the Shostos Ensemble, which recently impressed audiences with their performance of Shostakovich’s Piano Trio No. 1 in C minor at the NZCT Chamber Music Contest National Finals in Wellington. In this interview, Polly and Elise share insights into their musical journeys, the joys of chamber music, and their upcoming performances.
Can you start by introducing yourselves and your musical backgrounds?
Polly: I’m a Year 12 Stellar Music Scholar at Rangi Ruru Girls’ School. My main instrument is piano, but I also play the violin. I started learning both piano and violin when I was five years old, and I’ve been studying piano with Michael Endres for a few years now.
Elise: I’m in Year 11, also a Stellar Music Scholar at Rangi Ruru. While my main instrument is cello, I also play piano and study under Michael Endres through the Pettman Academy. I’ve been learning both cello and piano since I was five. My cello teachers are Galyna Zelinska and Rolf Gjelsten.
What inspired you to start learning music?
Polly: We always had a piano in the house, and my dad used to play it. I would sit there trying to make sounds on it, and my parents noticed that I had a natural interest. They encouraged me to start lessons, first on the piano, and then a few months later, I began learning the violin too.
Elise: My older sister played both piano and violin, and watching her really sparked my interest in music. My family chose the cello for me because we always imagined playing music together on different instruments when we grew up!
You recently performed Shostakovich’s Piano Trio No. 1 in the Chamber Music NZ Southern Final. What drew you to this piece for the competition?
Polly & Elise: The decision to perform Shostakovich’s Piano Trio No. 1 in C minor came after discussions with our Director of Music, Janet Kingsbury. We had known about the piece for a while, and it felt like a perfect fit for us. The trio is full of contrasting characters – there are moments of intensity, lyrical beauty, and sudden changes in mood. These qualities make it incredibly exciting to perform and effective in a competition setting. It showcases each instrument, and it really challenges us as performers.
“Learning a new chamber piece is always a challenge. You have to master your individual parts first, but that’s only the beginning. The real work comes in when you start fitting your part into the ensemble, understanding how each part interacts with the others to shape the overall sound.”
– Polly & Elise
How did you prepare for the competition, and what was the process of bringing the trio to life?
Polly & Elise: Learning a new chamber piece is always a challenge. You have to master your individual parts first, but that’s only the beginning. The real work comes in when you start fitting your part into the ensemble, understanding how each part interacts with the others to shape the overall sound. We rehearsed consistently, and with the guidance of Mrs. Kingsbury and other coaches, we gradually developed our interpretation. Eventually, it all came together, and we could bring the trio to life in our own way.
What was the experience like performing in the contest?
Polly & Elise: Performing at the contest was a lot of fun. We really enjoy playing chamber music, and the contest gave us a chance to dive into a new piece with our friends. We also see it as a great opportunity for growth – it pushes us to improve as musicians. Working together under Mrs. Kingsbury’s guidance was particularly rewarding, and each rehearsal revealed new layers of the music.
Have you participated in any other competitions or given major performances? Are there any upcoming performances you’re excited about?
Elise: I’ve been part of the Adam Summer School for the last two years. I played Brahms’s Piano Quintet in F minor and Schumann’s Piano Quartet in E-flat major this past summer. I’ve also performed Brahms’s Trio No. 1 in B major and Faure’s Piano Quartet in C minor, among others. Coming up, I’ll be playing with violist Bryony Gibson-Cornish, performing the Rebecca Clarke Duo for Viola and Cello. I’ll also perform with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Christchurch Symphony Orchestra later this year.
Polly: I also attended the Adam Summer School this year and performed Smetana’s Piano Trio No. 1 in G minor. I’ve played other chamber works like Brahms’s Trio No. 1 in B major and Schumann’s Piano Quintet in E-flat major. I have a lunchtime concert coming up at the Great Hall, and I’ll also be performing Schumann’s Piano Quartet with Bryony Gibson-Cornish soon.
Beyond Shostakovich, what other composers or music genres do you enjoy?
Polly & Elise: We both love the classics – Bach, Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Brahms, Schumann, and Schubert are some of our favourites to play and listen to.
How do you balance your musical pursuits with school and other hobbies?
Polly: Sleep, eating, spending time with family and friends, and snowboarding are my go-to activities when I’m not practicing.
Elise: I enjoy reading novels, spending time with my family and dog, and like Polly, I also love snowboarding in the winter.
What are your plans for the next year, and do you have any long-term goals for your musical careers?
Elise: In November I’ll be performing with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (first and second movements of Elgar’s Cello Concerto) and Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (fourth movement of Elgar’s Cellos Concerto), and also playing as an orchestral player in the CSO. Beyond that, I will also play Rebecca Clarke’s Duo for Viola and Cello with violist (and former Pettman Scholar) Bryony Gibson-Cornish.
How do you maintain a strong connection and communication as part of the Shostos Ensemble? What advice would you give to other young musicians on working effectively as a team?
Polly & Elise: The three of us have been close friends for as long as we can remember, which really helps when it comes to staying connected as an ensemble. The most important thing is knowing each other well enough musically to trust each other. It’s about being able to take risks in performance and knowing that the other players will respond to whatever you do, whether it’s the next phrase or even just the next note.
What have been the most rewarding and challenging aspects of your musical journeys so far?
Polly & Elise: The most rewarding part has been knowing that our music can move people and make an impact. Competitions and exams are fulfilling, but there’s nothing like the feeling of connecting with an audience and knowing you’ve touched them with your performance.
How has being part of the Pettman Academy influenced your musical development?
Polly & Elise: The Pettman Academy has provided us with opportunities such as regular performances and masterclasses, which have really helped our development as musicians.