Rising Stars 2026: Christine Jeon and Matthew Seinafo Cello and Piano

The series concludes on a high note, featuring two rising stars whose careers are rapidly gaining momentum. Cellist Christine Jeon and pianist Matthew Seinafo were both awarded the 2026 Pettman Royal Overseas League Scholarships, supporting an extensive European tour for performances and professional development. It’s remarkable to think Christine first appeared in the Rising Stars Recital Series as recently as 2020.
Christine is currently a Stage III Bachelor of Music student at the University of Auckland, studying under James Tennant. In 2020, she passed her LTCL cello recital examination and began performing as a soloist in the Rising Stars Recital Series at Christchurch Town Hall’s Ron Ball Studio and the Great Hall.
That same year, she was named District Winner, Regional Winner, and National Finalist in the NZCT Chamber Music Contest. In 2021, her piano trio Vich Perfect won the Judith Clark Memorial National First Place Award.
Christine continued her success in 2022 as a National Finalist in the National String Competition, where she received Third Prize and the People’s Choice Award, before going on to win First Prize at the Melbourne International String Festival Competition.
In 2023, she was awarded Second Prize at the American Virtuoso International Music Competition and made her orchestral debut with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, performing Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85 by Edward Elgar. That same year, she also won First Prize at the National Young Performer Awards.
Christine performs on the Hewitt cello, generously loaned by the Michael Hill Foundation for Art and Music. She was selected as an Emerging Artist for the World’s Edge Festival in both 2024 and 2025, and following the festival, was awarded the 2026 Pettman Royal Overseas League Scholarship.
From Christchurch, Matthew began learning piano with Marnie Barrell in 2017, achieving his ATCL diploma with Distinction by 2022. In 2024, he began his Bachelor of Music at the University of Auckland, studying with Stephen De Pledge, Rae de Lisle, and the late Katherine Austin.
In 2025, Matthew was selected as an Emerging Artist for the At the World’s Edge Chamber Music Festival. From this, he was also awarded the 2026 Pettman Royal Overseas League Scholarship, supporting his upcoming European tour. He is additionally a 2026 scholar of the Auckland Philharmonia through the Haydn Staples Piano Scholarship.
Matthew won joint first place in the University of Auckland Concerto Competition, earning the opportunity to perform with the Auckland Philharmonia. He has also participated in masterclasses with internationally renowned artists including Paul Lewis and Inon Barnatan.
A passionate chamber musician, Matthew has performed in a wide range of ensembles, from duos to piano quintets. During his high school years, he reached the regional finals of the NZCT Chamber Music Contest three times, performing works by Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms, and Edward Elgar.
📆 Tue 24 Nov
⏰ 1.10pm - 1.50pm
🎟️ $5-$15 (+bf per ticket)
📍 Great Hall, The Arts Centre, Christchurch
This event is part of the Rising Stars 2026 programme. A Tuesday lunchtimes concert series that focuses on encouraging, nurturing and providing a performance platform for emerging young musicians.