Alysa Liao
Description
In 2025, Alysa received 1st Prize (111 Duo) and 2nd Prize (111 Quintet) in the Open Category at the World Harmonica Festival in Germany, along with 3rd Prize in the Solo Chromatic Youth Category. She became the first performer in festival history to earn top-two placements with two different chamber ensembles while also receiving recognition in the youth division.
Born in Taiwan in 2010, Alysa began playing the harmonica at the age of seven and later studied chromatic harmonica with Chao-Teng Chang, building a strong technical and musical foundation.
Alysa founded the 111 Trio in 2022, collaborating with piano and cello to explore new sonic possibilities in chamber music. In 2025, under the invitation of Rang Li, the trio expanded into the 111 Quintet and gave a collaborative performance at the World Harmonica Festival.
In 2025, she was awarded the Taiwan Excellence Young Musician Award and invited to perform.
Alysa has a background in both piano and vocal training, and in 2025 she was admitted to the High School Arts Talent Program (Music Division) with vocal performance as her major.
Alysa continues to advance her technical artistry under the guidance of Chao-Teng Chang, and pursues in-depth studies in musical interpretation and stage performance with Korean musician Park Jongseong—a distinguished performer, conductor, and composer. She has also been inspired by Taiwanese bandoneon master Wu Yung-lung in her interpretation of tango repertoire.
Artist's Words
“My first handcrafted harmonica was the Laelaps 48 Stellar. Whether in solo performance, chamber music with cello and piano, or collaborations with orchestra, this 12-hole instrument consistently delivers the sound quality I seek as a lead performer. Its clarity and projection in the upper register are particularly impressive and have often received enthusiastic praise from orchestra musicians.
“I later began using the Laelaps 64x Stellar (16-hole, double reed plates) and became deeply fond of its warm and richly layered tone. During the 2025 World Harmonica Festival, the 64x Stellar accompanied me throughout all competitions and performances, proving to be a remarkably reliable partner on stage.
“I am sincerely grateful to the Laelaps makers for understanding my artistic needs and tonal preferences, and for recommending the instruments that suit me best. Their craftsmanship empowers me to realise the sound I imagine across different musical settings and ensemble combinations.”