Mike Gao

From the Keys to the Code: Mike’s Musical Story

Mike’s musical journey began at the age of seven. What started as a childhood hobby quickly turned into a record-breaking adventure across Ontario’s biggest stages.

A Consistent Champion

For Mike, practice always paid off. Starting in 2016, he became a familiar face at the Peel Music Festival, where he achieved something incredible: he took home first place every single year he entered.

His talent didn’t stop there. He swept up top prizes at festivals in Burlington and North York, eventually becoming a provincial finalist for the OMFA.

Reaching the Gold Standard

Mike has always aimed for perfection. In 2017, he sat for his Level 10 RCM piano exam and earned a staggering score of 98%. That mark wasn’t just a personal best—it was the highest score in all of Ontario for the entire year, earning him a prestigious gold medal.

The accolades kept coming:

  • 2018: He earned three gold medals at the ARCT level.

  • 2019: He completed his ARCT exam with a brilliant score of 95%.

  • 2020: He took his talent to the global stage, becoming an International Gold Medalist in the American Protégé International Music Talent Competition.

The Next Movement

Today, Mike applies that same focus and precision to a new challenge. He is currently pursuing a Double Degree in Computer Science and Business, studying at both the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University.

His dedication to excellence followed him to university, where he was awarded the President’s Gold Scholarship at Laurier for his outstanding academic entrance average. Whether he is at the piano or mastering complex code, Mike continues to hit all the right notes.

Mike Gao

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