Darren Gao was born in July 2008 in Manhattan, New York and is a high school junior in Long Island, New York. He began learning piano at the age of 5 and is a current student of Mr. Qi Zhang at Musart Music School in Syosset, New York. Darren won First-Place and Second-Place in Crescendo International Piano Competitions in 2024 and 2025, performing at Carnegie Hall in Manhattan, New York. He is also a Second-Place and Third-Place Winner in Charleston International Piano Compositions in 2025.
Watch Darren Gao perform Rondo Op. 51 No. 1 by Ludwig Van Beethoven for the 2025 International Piano Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.
Watch Darren Gao perform Polonaises, Op.40 in A Major by Fryderyk Chopin on the piano for the 2025 Winter Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.
Watch Darren Gao perform Nocturne Op. 48 No. 1 by Frederic Chopin on the piano for the 2025 Virtuoso Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.
Watch Darren Gao perform Sonata for Trumpet & Piano by Paul Hindemith on the trumpet for the 2025 Romantic Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.
Watch Darren Gao perform Liszt Paraphrase on Verdi’s Rigoletto by Liszt Paraphrase for the 2026 International Piano Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.