Laszlo mezo, cello

& Derek Chiu, piano

Born in Budapest, Hungary, Laszlo Mezo gained national recognition as one of the top musicians of his generation when he won First Prize in the “Kertész Ottó Memorial Competition” at the young age of 18. Since then, he has won numerous other competitions which have brought him international recognition including the Fourth Prize in the “Antonio Janigro Junior International Competition” in 1998, Second Prize in the “International Dávid Popper Competition for Young Cellists” in 2000, the Special Prize in the “International Dávid Popper Cello Competition” in 2004, and First Prize in the “Ima Hogg International Competition” in 2008.

Mr. Mezo has forged a career as a soloist, recitalist, master teacher, and chamber musician. He has performed extensively in Europe, Asia, and North and South America. Always eager to pass on his knowledge, Laszlo has conducted master classes in Japan, Brazil, Italy, Switzerland, Hungary, and the United States. Mr. Mezo was adjunct professor in cello at Chapman University 2012-2022 and he was Assistant Teacher at the University of Southern California between 2007 and 2008.

As a soloist, Mr. Mezo has performed with maestros Ádám Fischer, Thomas Wilkins, Grant Llewellyn, Zsolt Hamar. As a chamber musician, he has collaborated in recitals with pianists Kevin Fitz-Gerald, Steven Vanhauwaert, Gábor Farkas, Márta Gulyás, Piotr Folkert, and Balázs Szokolay, violinist Kristóf Baráti, cellist Philipp Muller, and the Bartók Quartet. He has also played under the direction of Zubin Mehta and Kent Nagano as a member of the Bayerische Staatsorchester in Munich, Germany.

Mr. Mezo holds two master's degrees from the Liszt Ferenc University of Music in Budapest and the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München. He graduated from the class of Ralph Kirshbaum at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Mr. Mezo is a member of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra. He is a sought-after soloist and an active studio musician in Hollywood. He has played in many film scores and blockbusters including Star Wars, Super Mario, Ice Age, Life of Pi, Pirates of the Caribbean, Wolverine, and The Lone Ranger.

Derek Chiu is an international concert pianist and Steinway Artist recognized for his artistry as both performer and teacher. He has studied extensively with renowned pedagogues Solomon Mikowsky, Donn-Alexandre Feder, Joel Hastings, and E. Gregory Butler.

Derek has performed widely across North America and Europe, and serves on the faculty of the Cremona International Music Academy and Festival in Italy and the Vancouver Island Music Academy in Canada. His collaborative work includes performances with distinguished artists such as the late Roberto Cani, concertmaster of the Los Angeles Opera; Hungarian cellist László Mező; violinist Saul Bitran of the Cuarteto Latinoamericano; and Simone Gramaglia, violist of the Quartetto di Cremona.

A sought-after adjudicator, clinician, and masterclass presenter, Derek is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of musicians through historically informed and artistically vibrant teaching. His students have earned top competition prizes, Gold Medals on Royal Conservatory of Music examinations, and substantial university scholarships at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

For more information, please visit: https://www.steinway.com/artists/derek-chiu