At 20, William Kao is a jazz trombonist and pianist who has been awarded a full tuition scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music, valued at over $400,000 NZD. He holds a Bachelor of Music from Ara and attended the Berklee College of Music five-week summer programme on a full scholarship, and has performed at venues including Smalls Jazz Club in New York. This Grant supports his living costs across the four-year Manhattan programme. William aims to perform with leading jazz musicians internationally while nurturing the NZ jazz community.