Japan · July 2025
Grand Prize
Hsieh Ruo-Ying
Taiwan
1st Prize
Bianca Chik
Hong Kong
3rd Prize
LEE YAN KIT
Hong Kong
Awards · 賞金
Real cash prizes, presented on stage
Beyond the honour of the stage, finalists compete for prize money handed over as a giant cheque at the ceremony, titles in their own age group, and keepsakes that mark the moment.
Cash prizes · 賞金
GASCA Grand Prize
¥45,000
Highest score of the entire competition.
GASCA First Prize
¥30,000
Second highest score of the entire competition.
GASCA Second Prize
¥15,000
Third highest score of the entire competition.
Prize details · 獎項詳情
Preliminary round awards
Honour Award for Advancement
80 points or above
Entrants who qualify for the final receive a certificate and a standard medal.
Merit Award
79 points or below
Entrants who do not qualify for the final also receive a certificate and a standard medal.
Music Education Cash Award — Gold
HK$500
Awarded to teachers who refer ten or more students.
Music Education Cash Award — Silver
HK$250
Awarded to teachers who refer five or more students.
Winners receive a free e-certificate printed with the entrant's name, available for immediate download by logging into the account on the results announcement date. The entry fee includes the standard medal; winners do not need to apply for it. Standard medals will be sent to the registered address within two months. Please note that recipients must pay the SF Express delivery fee on receipt.
Final cash prizes
Prize money is converted to Japanese Yen and handed out in cash at the award ceremony in Japan.
HK$2,300
Overall Grand Champion — 1 winner
HK$1,600
Overall 1st Runner-up — 1 winner
HK$780
Overall 2nd Runner-up — 1 winner
Awards · 獎項
Complete list of awards
- GASCA Grand Champion Cash Prize
- GASCA Grand First Cash Prize
- GASCA Grand Second Cash Prize
- Champion, First runner-up and Second runner-up (one in each age category)
- Distinction Award
- Outstanding Award
- Participation Award
- International Music Instructor Award
- Instructor Award for Active Participation
Tailor-made medals · 定制獎牌
A different medal design every year
Every GASCA competition receives its own tailor-made medal design. Each year’s medal is created specially for that edition, so finalists and winners take home a keepsake that is unique to their moment on stage.
Previous cash prize winners
From the stage to real cash prizes
Beyond the chance to perform on a professional stage, these top finalists earned their ranking, gained recognition, and took home prize money in hand — a reward that turns years of practice into a moment they will never forget.
Cash prizes
Tokyo prize winners
The Grand Champion and runners-up celebrate together after the ceremony.
¥45,000
Grand Champion
The Grand Champion celebrates with the trophy, pennant and giant prize cheque.
¥30,000
Grand 1st Runner-up
A proud family moment after the live prize presentation.
¥15,000
Grand 2nd Runner-up
A previous winner receives the cash prize, trophy and certificate.
¥45,000
Grand Champion interview
A Grand Champion reflects on the experience immediately after receiving the award.
¥30,000
Grand 1st Runner-up interview
A first runner-up shares the moment with the event interviewer.
¥15,000
Grand 2nd Runner-up interview
A second runner-up speaks about the competition after the prize presentation.
¥45,000 · ¥30,000 · ¥15,000
Tokyo finalists
Three previous Tokyo finalists display their trophies and cash-prize cheques.
International achievement · 受賞者
Previous cash prize winners
Eighteen prize winners representing Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Malaysia, Macao and Thailand.
JapanTaiwanHong KongPhilippinesMalaysiaMacaoThailand
Japan · October 2025
Grand Champion
Shunsuke Yoshikawa
Japan
Grand 1st Runner-up
Okumura Satoki
Japan
Grand 2nd Runner-up
CHIU, PEI-YU
Taiwan
Japan · December 2025
Grand Champion
CHENG YU-CHI
Taiwan
Grand 1st Runner-up
David Francis S. Modesto
Philippines
Grand 2nd Runner-up
Ivan Yam Kee Onn
Malaysia
Hokkaido · February 2026
Grand Champion
Daichi Abe
Japan
Grand 1st Runner-up
本間 清鷹
Japan
Grand 2nd Runner-up
Macross, Lam Hei Chit
Macao
Bangkok · May 2026
Grand Champion
Thaksaphan Phattanakietchai
Thailand
Grand 1st Runner-up
Darapapas Micah Tuvanimitgul
Thailand
Grand 2nd Runner-up
Thanadon Boonyanuwat
Thailand
Japan · July 2026
Grand Champion
Ruo-Ying Hsieh
Taiwan
Grand 1st Runner-up
Tse Long Fung Andrew
Hong Kong
Grand 2nd Runner-up
Liew You Kang
Malaysia
Winner interviews · 受賞者インタビュー
In their own words
Previous winners on preparing, taking the stage and what the competition meant to them. Two cash prize winners share their stories in full below, with more interviews as posters you can tap to enlarge and read.
Lee Yan Kit 李仁傑
Piano — Canzonetta
3rd Prize winner · Hong Kong · 3rd Prize · Hong Kong 🇭🇰
- Can you tell us a bit about your musical background and journey?
- I've always had an interest in music, having started piano lessons at a young age. Joining the joint school Chinese orchestra in second grade helped me find my direction. Now, in addition to piano theory and Chinese orchestra classes, I also take Chinese percussion lessons. I've always felt it's something I couldn't give up, and it's my favorite.
- Can you share your initial reaction when you found out you were selected as a finalist?
- It was definitely a surprise and a joy.
- Which piece did you play, and were there any challenges you overcame?
- Canzonetta. The biggest challenge I faced this time was time. Shortly before the finals, I was studying for an exam, and a few days after that, there was a Chinese orchestra performance. I only started practicing the song formally after the performance, leaving me with less than a month to practice. So winning this award is a real sense of accomplishment.
- Is there anyone you would like to thank for their support and guidance?
- Thank you to my parents for their support, and to my piano teacher for your guidance.
- Can you describe a highlight from your trip to Tokyo and the competition?
- Maybe it's because I haven't flown since the pandemic, haha. The highlight and unforgettable moment of this trip was probably the process of flying until arriving, and the moment of winning the award. The sense of satisfaction filled my head.
Bianca Chik
Piano — Haydn Sonata in E-flat major
1st Prize winner · Hong Kong · 1st Prize · Hong Kong 🇭🇰
- Can you tell us a bit about your musical background and journey?
- I currently play 3 instruments: piano, violin and clarinet. I am currently playing ARSM piano, ARSM violin and grade 8 clarinet. I have learnt piano since I was 5 years old and violin since I was 4. I enjoyed playing both of them and I entered my first competition, the Hong Kong Music Festival, at 5. I was so shocked that I won 1st place against many of the other kids. After that I started to practise more and eventually reached grade 8 violin and grade 7 piano at 9. I also began to learn clarinet at that age and I found it really enjoyable.
- Can you share your initial reaction when you found out you were selected as a finalist for this competition?
- I felt delighted as it was an amazing opportunity and wanted to sign up ASAP. I knew it was going to be fun and unique so I was excited for the competition.
- Which music piece did you play in the competition? Were there any challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
- I played the Haydn Piano Sonata in E-flat major, Hob. 49, 1st movement. Before the competition I kept on forgetting some phrases of the piece or not playing the notes very clearly, and I was scared that I may mess up while memorising the piece. Before the competition, I went to a Yamaha piano store and practised on their pianos to make sure that everything went smoothly in the end.
- Can you describe a highlight or memorable moment from your trip to Tokyo and participating in the competition?
- On the day of the competition, I was in a taxi going to the venue and I was worried I was going to be late. As I checked Google Maps, it said that we were going to get to our destination 2 minutes before registration closes. Thankfully we made it just in time not to get disqualified. I remember when it was my turn to go up on stage I felt extremely nervous; I walked across the stage and bowed with a smile on my face. I put in lots of expression in my performance and hopefully spread the music to the judges and let them feel the music. In the end I was surprised and excited that I won Champion for my age group and 1st runner-up overall. I also remember going back to the hotel with my best friends Emma L and Sophia L celebrating with me through text.
Honma Kiyotaka 本間清鷹
Drums — Start of Something Beautiful by Gavin Harrison
Prize winner · Prize winner · Japan 🇯🇵
Gabriele Butkaliuk
Voice — Diva Dance from The Fifth Element
Winner · Age 12 · Winner · Lithuania 🇱🇹
La'el Ganesh Tian-En
Piano — The Phantom of the Opera
Finalist · Finalist · Malaysia 🇲🇾
Lee Cheuk Wing
Piano — Chopin Étude Op. 10 No. 9
Finalist · Hong Kong · Finalist · Hong Kong 🇭🇰
Ho Wing Yan Erica
Piano — Tegami (Yukie Nishimura)
Finalist · Finalist · Hong Kong 🇭🇰
Leia Chua Lee Er
Piano — Für Elise
Finalist · Age 10 · Finalist · Malaysia 🇲🇾
Grace Ganesh En-Qin
Piano — Clementi Sonatina Op. 36 No. 3
Finalist · Finalist · Malaysia 🇲🇾
Andrew Tyson Zhao
Piano — Kabalevsky Rondo-Toccata
2nd Runner-up · Age 10 · 2nd Runner-up · Malaysia 🇲🇾
Edward Tyson Zhao
Piano — Burgmüller Tarantella
1st Runner-up · 1st Runner-up · Malaysia 🇲🇾
Ho Young Grace Kang
Violin — 2nd movement of Symphonie Espagnole by Édouard Lalo
Finalist · Finalist · Australia 🇦🇺
Yu Chenxi Jayden
Piano — La Tarentelle
Champion · Age 6 · Champion · Hong Kong 🇭🇰
Chao De Hao 趙德皓
Piano — Luv Letter by DJ Okawari
Finalist · Finalist · Taiwan 🇹🇼
Ihui Chen
Voice — Mahler, Ich atmet' einen linden Duft
Finalist · Finalist · Taiwan 🇹🇼
Carrie Lee Jiaqin
Voice — Get Lost from Moana 2
Finalist · Finalist · Singapore 🇸🇬
Lee Sze Yuen
Violin
Finalist · Finalist · Hong Kong 🇭🇰
Wong Sheriel
Viola — Vivaldi Cello Concerto in D minor RV 406, Allegro non molto
Champion · Champion · Hong Kong 🇭🇰
Daichi Abe
Piano — Liszt, Après une lecture du Dante
Grand Prix · Grand Prix · Japan 🇯🇵
Titles in every age group
One Champion, one 1st Runner-up and one 2nd Runner-up are named in each age category, alongside Distinction, Outstanding and Participation awards.
Instructor awards
Teachers whose students win a Champion, runner-up, Distinction or Outstanding award may apply for the International Music Instructor Award, with their name on a printed certificate and trophy.
Medals and trophies
Standard medal & certificate
No application needed. Standard medals are sent to the registered address within two months and are not name-engraved. Recipients cover the SF Express delivery fee.
Tailor-made medal & crystal trophy
Upgrade: HKD 350 / USD 45
Winners may apply for a personalised medal and crystal trophy engraved with their name, including a special edition medal. Production takes two to three months and delivery is charged separately.
After the final, awards may be collected at the designated collection area; the schedule is announced by GASCA before the event.
Enter the preliminary