Liu and Joyce called in to the college recently to share their stories of how they became to be musicians.
Liu’s musical journey began as soon as he heard a piano being played.
Then aged 6 and living in China, he constantly pestered his parents for lessons.
There had not been any musicians in the family until then.
He studied with a series of music teachers after moving to America, and also learned to speak English.
After 16 years in the United States, he moved with his wife to New Zealand, where he is now acting head of school and head of piano studies at Te Koki New Zealand School of Music in Wellington.
Joyce began learning the piano but the cello beckoned him when he was also a 6-year-old child living in the United Kingdom.
He gained a coveted place at the prestigious Purcell School of Music aged 11, and continued his studies at the Royal College of Music.
After many years of touring the world as a sought-after musician, Joyce is now principal cello with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
The virtuosic duo shared their vast range of musical knowledge, including genres, composition and Bach’s immense impact on all types of music, leaving the pupils inspired to investigate these subjects further.
The musicians also toured MAC’s new arts facility.
Earlier last week, the Wanaka Concert Society and Chamber Music NZ hosted Liu and Joyce in concert at the Lake Wanaka Centre.
School children can attend Wanaka Concert Society events free of charge, to broaden their horizons and become more familiar with both old and new music.
Story and photo supplied by Lyn Milne, Magic Carpet Trust.
