Sam Gunawan

Samuel’s musical journey began at the age of seven in 2012 when he started learning the piano. In 2022, he earned his Associate in Music Australia (AmusA) diploma, solidifying his deep passion for classical music and a wide range of other genres. He further honed his skills in 2023 by undertaking VCE Music Repertoire Performance, achieving the remarkable distinction of full marks on his performance exam. With A+ grades in both the performance and written exams, he ranked in the top 5% of students statewide. Additionally, he was selected to perform in the prestigious VCE Top Class Music 2024 at the Melbourne Recital Centre, an honor reserved for only a small fraction of talented musicians.

In addition to refining his piano skills, Samuel has developed a love for arranging music, particularly Japanese pop, which captivates him with its vibrant yet bittersweet essence. With over five years of experience, he has participated in numerous collaborations within the anime piano community, including the Animenz Piano Concerto—a project featuring over 65 pianists that has garnered 40,000 views on YouTube. Samuel also runs his own YouTube channel, v.Y Piano Covers, where he shares his arrangements and performances with a global audience. His passion for music has ignited a desire to teach, as he strives to inspire his students to reach their full potential and share in the joy of music.