The Piano is a new and uplifting six-part series unearthing everyday pianists from all over Australia through the celebration of the street piano. The series gives regular Australians the opportunity of a lifetime when they are invited to play at busy locations around the country. What the pianists don’t know is that they are being observed by two renowned expert musicians, multi-award winning and musical powerhouse Harry Connick Jr, and one of Australia’s greatest classical concert pianists, Andrea Lam. The pair are hidden away watching every note played and together they will choose a pianist from each location to mentor and play at a special end-of-series concert on one of Australia’s most revered stages, Sydney’s City Recital Hall.
Hosted by Amanda Keller, The Piano’s secret mission is to find and meet incredible community pianists who don’t aspire to stardom but simply have a passion for playing piano. Some of the most amazing performances have been filmed and gone viral, watched by millions online. But who are these people playing the world’s favourite instrument?
One instrument. A universal language and the power of music to connect us all. This Arts series uses the piano as a unique device to tell the stories of ordinary Australians, with an extraordinary musical gift.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Commissioned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. A Eureka production for the ABC. Major production investment from the ABC. Executive Producers: Bethan Briegel-Jones, Gemma Murphy, Josie Mason Campbell. ABC Commissioning Editor: Julie Hanna. ABC Head of Documentary and Specialist: Susie Jones.
So this is the mysterious piano show that had been filmed in Melbourne and Sydney in the past two months, culminating with a special performance at Sydney’s City Recital Hall on October 23.
The UK version (which featured Chinese classical legend Lang Lang in the mentor role) unearthed a genuine viral star in Lucy Illingworth.
If this version can find someone talented with a backstory like Lucy’s, there’s no limits as to how this could turn out.
One of ABC’s biggest new shows for 2025 is The Piano hosted by Amanda Keller, in which cameras capture everyday Australians tinkling the ivories in public stations -all without knowing they are being watched by celebrity judges, with a concert at Sydney Recital Hall at the end.
“We’re thrilled that we were offered this format,” she declares. “We think it’s right in the sweet spot of public broadcasting. It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase the diversity of Australians on screen and their connection to music .The emotion that comes from this show is incredible. I think there’ll be tears every episode. Participants show up to play on a street piano and have no idea that they’re being watched by none other than Harry Connick Jr and Andrea Lam, who we’re really thrilled to have on board this show. It’s showing how music can enrich lives and give so much joy to people in their ordinary lives. You’re hearing about their backgrounds and what music has done for them, supporting them through really tough times, or bringing families together, groups of people together in a community – it’s just joyful and beautiful.”
Collins says the range of participants is a big part of the show’s attraction.
“You see the younger children who are just learning the joy of the piano. But then you’re seeing an elder Australian who is in his 80s, who lost his wife recently, and reminisces on the piano ….playing sort of held them together as a couple,” she explains.
“There’s four women called The Evergreens sitting at the piano at any one time, and they’ve learned their particular pieces to an arrangement and that’s part of their coming together as older women.
“You see the joy on people’s faces, as they’re walking through the train station. They hear this music, and they just stop, and they’re captivated.”
The Classic 100 gala will screen in tandem with The Piano.
Celebrate the power of The Piano this May on the ABC
To celebrate World Piano Day, the ABC is pleased to announce the highly anticipated new series, The Piano will premiere Sunday 4 May at 7.30pm on ABC TV, with all episodes available to watch same day on ABC iview**.**
Hosted by Amanda Keller, the heartwarming six-part arts series will explore how the piano has the power to transform the lives of everyday Australians, creating refuge, joy and friendship via the touch of a key.
Invited to perform at unique locations around the country, this series offers Australians the chance to showcase their piano playing talents. These pianists will turn public spaces into hubs of musical brilliance, captivating shoppers, commuters, and passersby as they pause in awe of the performances.
But all is not what it seems. What the pianists don’t know, is that they are being observed by two renowned expert musicians, multi-award-winning musical powerhouse Harry Connick, Jr. and one of Australia’s greatest classical concert pianists, Andrea Lam .
Hidden away during each performance and watching every note played, they’ve been tasked with choosing a pianist from each location to mentor. They will then prepare them for a life changing performance at one of Australia’s most revered stages, the Sydney City Recital Hall.
Performing Bach to Beethoven, INXS hits to Taylor Swift’s ‘Love Story’, these extraordinary pianists from all walks of life will take audiences on an unforgettable piano playing journey.
Set to share their passion for the piano, these everyday Aussies will also share deeply personal stories about their favourite instrument and how it has shaped their lives.
Always free, always entertaining, discover a range of arts and music programming on ABC iview now.
Want to harness the power of The Piano in your community? The ABC, Piano Plus and The Piano are celebrating the power of music and connection, delivering donated pop-up pianos to up to 20 towns across Australia. Nominate where you’d like to see a piano in your town here.
PRODUCTION CREDIT: Commissioned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. A Eureka production for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Major production investment from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Executive Producers: Bethan Briegel-Jones, Gemma Murphy, Josie Mason Campbell. ABC Commissioning Editor: Julie Hanna. ABC Head
Documentary and Specialist: Susie Jones. ABC Head of Arts, Music and Events: Kath Earle.
What is Pop-Up Pianos?
To celebrate the year of the Piano and the new ABC series The Piano, the ABC and Piano Plus Australia will be delivering up to 20 pre-loved pianos donated by organisations and ordinary people to a town near you.
We’re calling on people to nominate public places in their local area they believe should have a piano, in the hope of bringing people together through the power of music and making this much-loved instrument accessible to more people.
When do nominations open?
March 29, 2025 – so yes, you can nominate now!
When do nominations close?
Nominations close on the 20th of April. Our selection panel will then review all submissions and choose the winning towns which will be announced at the Classic 100 in Concert on the 21st of June, and you don’t want to miss it.
Our journey begins at Sydney’s Central Station where we meet some extraordinary Australians with a beautiful piano talent.
Host Amanda Keller welcomes amateur pianists from all walks of life take to the keys, not for fame but for the joy of playing.
Unbeknown to our pianists, watching on from a secret storeroom nearby are two renowned expert musicians, Harry Connick, Jr. and Andrea Lam, who have been tasked with inviting one pianist form each location to curate a very special end of the series concert at the City Recital Hall.
Spoilt for choice, from 5-year-old Maya to 103-year-old Bill and everyone in between, who will make it to the City Recital Hall stage?
At Southern Cross Station, Amanda Keller asks everyday pianists to play our public piano while two piano gurus, Harry Connick Jr and Andrea Lam secretly watch on to select one person to perform at a very special concert.
We meet professional super-car driver, Thomas who uses the piano to wind down after a big race; as well as 80-year-old Heather who plays music to combat her recent Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
Drag queen, Jacqui Randa is ‘Simply The Best’ when she takes on a Tina Turner classic; while 11-year-old mini-maestro, Jing brings down the house with his jaw-dropping mix of classical and contemporary piano.
As critically acclaimed musicians Harry Connick, Jr. and Andrea Lam watch on in secret, some of Australia’s most diverse everyday pianists share their passion for the piano at Melbourne’s Preston Markets.
The pianists sharing their extraordinary gifts include Michelle, one of the world’s only deaf and blind pianists, who performs a song she wrote for her dearly departed guide dog Alan, twelve-year-old classical connoisseur Stefania who has a dream to be a cardiologist, and choir conductor Kym, who finally found the strength to be herself and harnessed her love of the piano to guide her through her transition.
Joyous First Nations pianist Josiah delights Harry with his love of gospel country music, while Martin shares his story of grief and healing after losing his sister to cancer.
Everyday pianists descend on the buzzing Sydney Metro station, and their talent, passion and purpose will stop the station in its tracks.
We meet Chris, a mullet-rocking grave digger from Gympie who declares “music is the one thing that will keep you alive” as he plays a fearsome version of ‘House of The Rising Sun’ and Fiona, a 63-year-old amateur dramatics fanatic who creates a spontaneous station singalong with her rousing rendition of Irving Berlin’s “There’s No Business Like Show Business”.
Eighteen-year-old John, who struggled with bullying at school has embraced confidence through music and young mother-of-two Sarah, has found solace after the loss of her husband through the healing power of her piano.
With one concert spot remaining, our everyday pianists are playing for the shoppers in the heart of Sydney’s China Town.
We meet Vincenzo. A man caring for his soul mate, Elaine. As well as serving her breakfast in bed, this devoted husband spends his days playing piano at the bottom of the staircase for his wife who can no longer make it down to sit beside him. A lifelong love story with music at its core. Vincenzo arrives with a heartbreaking update on Elaine’s health.
Proud indigenous woman, Dyagula brings her grandmother Pamela along to meet Amanda. Singing a contemporary song in the ancient Wiradjuri language, she brings the shopping centre to a standstill.
Our very special concert is here. Mentored by Harry Connick, Jr. and Andrea Lam, each of our fabulous five were selected because they represent the sheer power of the piano. DJ was on the path to becoming a concert pianist, but suffered a stroke and miraculously retaught himself to play the piano, with just his left hand.
Grace had the piano and songwriting as a beacon of hope during her recovery from an eating disorder.
John found refuge from his unhappy school life with the piano, while 12-year-old Stefania hasn’t quite decided what she wants to be when she grows up… either a cardiologist or a classical pianist!
Vincenzo finds comfort in the piano after Elaine, his wife of 50-years recently passed away.
