In a remarkable display of cross-disciplinary brilliance, 15-year-old Chinese artist Hannah Rao has quickly become a rising star on the international arts scene. Over the summer, she impressed audiences at Italy’s prestigious Narnia Festival, one of Europe’s respected classical music gatherings. Her performance as a pianist—paired with her digital artwork used in stage design—solidified her reputation as one of the exciting young talents of her generation.

This milestone comes just before Hannah embarks on her next exciting chapter: attending Idyllwild Arts Academy, a highly regarded U.S. boarding high school for the arts (ranked #1 on Niche), where she will major in Visual Arts with a scholarship recognizing both her academic and creative accomplishments.

A Rising Voice in Teen Contemporary Art

Hannah, originally from Guangzhou, China, has been turning heads not only with her technical abilities but also with her unique emotional expressiveness. Her artwork explores the intersection of dreams, memory, and identity—skillfully blending visual storytelling with deep emotional themes.

Earlier in the 2024–2025 season, she was awarded a Silver Key in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, considered one of the most prestigious youth arts competitions in the U.S. Her awarded piece—an emotionally-charged dreamscape rendered in a mixed media format—was noted for its poetic symbolism, subtle color palette, and introspective tone.

This national recognition highlighted her ability to convey complex ideas through a visual medium, further distinguishing her among a competitive pool of emerging young artists.

International Stage: Narnia Festival 2025

Hannah’s summer was marked by a noteworthy debut on the global stage. She was invited to perform as a pianist at the Narnia Festival in Narni, Italy, a prestigious event that has received nine commendations from the Italian government for its artistic contribution to classical music and cultural diplomacy.

At just 15, Hannah was among the young Chinese pianists invited to perform at the festival, joining a select group of musicians from around the world under the artistic direction of the acclaimed Italian concert pianist Cristiana Pegoraro.

Esteemed Faculty and Mentors at Narnia Festival

• Cristiana Pegoraro – Festival Director; International Concert Pianist
• Lorenzo Porzio – Italian Government Medal of Honor Recipient
• Wei-en Hsu – Opera Conducting Professor, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
• Alessandro Luciano – Wexford Opera Festival Vocal Coach
• Viola Hsu – Oriolo Romano Music Academy Professor
• Leonardo Crescimbeni – Member, Santa Cecilia Orchestra
• Wesley Lam – Executive Director, HK Professional Vocalists Association
• Lucia Bianchi – Assistant Vocal Director for HKPVA’s Italy Tour
• Laura Balla – Former Member, Vienna State Opera

Signature Performances

Hannah performed in two memorable events:

• July 12 at Teatro Manini, Narni – a historic Italian theater, where she contributed to a special performance of Gianni Schicchi and operatic excerpts.

• July 16 at Chiesa di San Francesco, a centuries-old cathedral where she participated in a collaborative recital blending sacred space with artistic expression.

Art + Music: Total Stage Immersion

In addition to her piano performance, Hannah also served as the visual designer for the stage’s projection art—a rare opportunity for any performer, let alone a teenager. Inspired by the theme of a “European Madonna,” she designed a hauntingly beautiful black-and-white digital composition featuring angelic wings, floating ribbons, and surreal clouds.

This artwork added emotional texture to the music and received positive feedback from both audience members and faculty.

“Hannah is a remarkably talented young artist. Her ability to express significant emotion through both music and art is rare at her age. I look forward to seeing her continue to shine on future international stages,” said Professor Wesley Lam, a leading figure in the Asian vocal arts scene.

A New Chapter: Idyllwild Arts Academy

Now, back in preparation for the fall semester, Hannah is readying herself to join the prestigious artistic community at Idyllwild Arts Academy in California. As a recipient of both an academic offer and a merit-based scholarship, she stands out as a multidisciplinary talent—one who brings together the rigors of classical music with the imagination of contemporary visual storytelling.

At Idyllwild Arts, she will be mentored by world-class faculty while working alongside other emerging creatives in the school’s Visual Arts Department. While her major focus will be on painting, digital media, and experimental techniques, Hannah plans to continue her piano training as a creative extension of her artistic language.

Looking Forward: An Artist of the Future

Hannah’s story demonstrates the power of cross-disciplinary expression in 21st-century art. In an era when the boundaries between mediums are constantly shifting, her ability to integrate music, visual design, and performance positions her as a talented artist of the future.

From Guangzhou to Italy, and now to the mountains of Southern California, Hannah Rao’s journey reflects the spirit of a new generation—bold, curious, and unafraid to cross boundaries in search of beauty and truth.

Stay tuned as she advances her education and artistic evolution at Idyllwild Arts Academy this fall, preparing for a future where imagination knows no limits.