ABOUT

Hayes Liu is an imaginative percussionist and composer. Constant innovation and designing interesting stage effects are his mottos and he works hard for this. Currently studying at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) in the UK under Simone Rebello, Le Yu, Paul Turner, Liz Gilliver, Emil Kuyumcuyan and Kai Strobel

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During his studies at RNCM, Hayes participated in many symphony orchestra performances and served as the principal percussionist and timpanist for many times. He also collaborated with the principal percussionist and timpanist of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition, Hayes also performed with internationally renowned percussionists Kai Strobel, Emil Kuyumcuyan and Le Yu many times, and conducted master classes in China to promote percussion.

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Rich performance experience and a lot of practice have made Hayes grow rapidly. In 2024, he won the RNCM concerto competition and the Chris Rowland Chamber Esenmble. At the end of the same year, he won the Garner Howard Award given by RNCM.

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​Hayes started his musical education with the drum kit in 2001 and in 2004 he commenced his studies with Professor Wang Hongtao.  Hayes's musical skills were quickly recognised and he was recipient of many national wards.  In 2006 Hayes won Second prize in the National Champion Drum Kit competition He also won First Prize in the Electric Drum Kit competition, the first ever held in China. Later that year Hayes toured Japan giving concerts which were met with much critical acclaim.​

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In 2009 Hayes won the National Drum Kit competition and the Electronic Drum Kit championship (awards he was to win again in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013). The following year he became an honorary member of Hebei province Percussion Association and was invited to attend Hebei Province Spring Festival Gala.

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In 2009, Hayes won the Talent Discovery Award from Zildjian Brand.  He performed with his teacher, Professor Wang Hongtao in many concerts throughout China in different bands and ensembles.  He also participated in the Chinese music competition variety show "I am a Singer" where he worked with many famous singers. In 2013, Zhao became a drum kit teacher and the following year led several young drummers to the National Competition, helping one drummer to win the championship.

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From the initial journey of drums to the five-year percussion journey of RNCM, Hayes' percussion career will enter a new stage again. In 2025, he will return to China to collaborate with many musicians and release an album. At the same time, he will once again carry out percussion promotion activities and train more percussionists.