Charlotte Miles wins the 2026 ABC Young Performers Awards – Cellist Charlotte Miles has won the 2026 ABC Young Performers Awards. The Grand Final took place at the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday night. First, each finalist performed a concerto live in the Concert Hall alongside the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Then ABC Classic revealed the winner.
Viewers who missed the night can watch it on television this week. The Grand Final premieres on ABC TV and ABC iview at 8.50pm AEDT on Thursday, 5 November.
Charlotte Miles takes out the ABC Young Performers Awards
The 24-year-old cellist, originally from Victoria, performed her rendition of Elgar’s Cello Concerto with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Notably, the win is the latest accolade in a career that has already seen Miles collect more than 100 music awards.
Miles has been studying in the Kronberg Academy’s professional program in Germany, and returned to Australia to compete in the Grand Final.
Prize money and an ABC Classic album
Miles takes home a $40,000 cash prize, as well as the opportunity to record a solo studio album under the ABC Classic label.
Meanwhile, Beatrice Colombis finished runner-up and receives $15,000. Dillon Chan placed third and secures $5000. The Triffitt Bequest, courtesy of Symphony Services Australia, and the ABC support all cash prizes.
A nine-month journey to the Grand Final
The Grand Final was the culmination of a nine-month journey for the young musicians. They first applied for the Awards in February and advanced through a competitive selection process, from the semi-finals to the Grand Final.
The judges assessed finalists on technical precision, artistry, authenticity and storytelling. In particular, harpist and arts leader Marshall McGuire led a panel of some of Australia’s most respected classical musicians.
Australia’s longest-running classical music competition
Beginning in 1944, the ABC Young Performers Awards is Australia’s longest-running and most prestigious competition for emerging classical musicians. Over the years, it has helped launch the careers of many artists, including pianist Simon Tedeschi and The Piano’s Andrea Lam.
How to watch the ABC Young Performers Awards Grand Final
ABC Classic broadcast the 2026 awards live. Megan Burslem, Jeremy Fernandez, Genevieve Lang, Russell Torrance and Vanessa Hughes presented the coverage, which is streaming now on the ABC listen app.
Finally, the television premiere of the Grand Final airs at 8.50pm AEDT on Thursday, 5 November on ABC TV and ABC iview.
For more TV Central ABC news, head here. To watch the Grand Final, visit ABC iview.