Formerly the Head of Piano at the University of Auckland, Rae de Lisle is one of New Zealand’s most sought-after piano teachers.

In 2011, Rae received an Excellence in Teaching Award from the University of Auckland, alongside the Marie Vandewart Memorial Award for outstanding service and commitment to fostering the love of chamber music in New Zealand. In 2015, she was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to music.

Many of Rae’s former students have become established pianists worldwide. Her teaching has supported numerous pianists who have excelled in international competitions, including first prizes at the Sydney International Piano Competition, the Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition, the Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition, the Perrenoud Foundation International Piano Competition and the Lee University International Piano Festival and Competition.

For eight years Rae studied and trained in England with renowned teachers Maria Curcio, Cyril Smith, and Brigitte Wild, before embarking on an international performance career. She has performed extensively throughout New Zealand as both a soloist and chamber musician, collaborating with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Auckland Philharmonia and many regional orchestras. Although Rae has spent the past 20 years focused primarily on teaching and research, her recordings include Morgen: Songs for Cello with cellist Andrew Joyce and Portrait with Piano, featuring the music of New Zealand composer Jenny McLeod.

Rae’s ground-breaking PhD research on the musicians’ injury focal dystonia has resulted in the development of specific instrumental retraining concepts. She has presented her findings at global conferences and was nominated for the Best Thesis Award by the Creative Arts and Industries Faculty at the University of Auckland.

In addition to her research on focal dystonia, Rae has dedicated much of her career to studying and refining piano technique. She has developed the online course Exploring Piano Technique and published Fit 4 Piano, an eBook and video resource offering exercises to develop and maintain healthy playing for pianists of all levels, from beginners to advanced. Her latest book, Fit 4 Piano Etudes, was commissioned with support from Creative New Zealand and features works by 12 prominent New Zealand composers.

For the 2024 Award, Rae adjudicated performances during the Award week. She has also served on international juries, including the Dublin International Piano Competition, the Gina Bachauer International Junior & Young Artists Piano Competition, the Singapore National Piano Competition and the Pacific Rim International Music Festival.