Auckland, New zealand
Revisit the 2023 competition
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We enthusiastically congratulate 2017 2nd prize and chamber music prize winner Luke Hsu for his recent appointment to Trio Michelangeli.
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Beautiful music in the most beautiful place on earth!
Audiences across Aotearoa, New Zealand welcomed the return of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition over the first 10 days of June 2023.
16 outstanding young violinists, selected by audition from an initial 160 applicants, travelled to Queenstown and Auckland and were wholeheartedly embraced by local audiences who journeyed with them through the highs and lows that come with a competition of this calibre.
The Michael Hill remains a favourite on the competition circuit, not just for its prestigious prize package, esteemed judging panel and career-launching opportunities, but also for the warmth and heart that greets every competitor from the moment they touch down in Aotearoa. For the rest of their careers, these artists will be connected to this place and can count on the support of the people they have met over the course of their stay. The term whānau means ‘extended family group’ in Te Reo (the Māori language) and all of the competitors and judges now join our treasured whānau.
So much more than a violin competition, the Michael Hill enables music-making opportunities to spill out across the community leaving a lasting impact on our local music scene. The introduction of the Fellowship programme in 2023 saw six exceptionally talented Kiwi violinists become part of the Michael Hill experience, observing every stage of the competition, learning from visiting jury members and workshopping and performing with many of the competitors. Firm friendships were formed that will help guide these young Kiwi musicians as they step onto the international stage in pursuit of their own performance careers.
In other community connections the opening Queenstown sessions saw engagements with local schools, retirement villages and even a performance at the popular LUMA light festival. The final leg of the competition in Auckland stepped things up several notches with the inaugural Auckland String Sessions. Music lovers young and old could connect with our judging panel of world-renowned soloists for workshops, masterclasses and to exchange ideas and learnings with our own industry leaders such as the New Zealand String Quartet. 60 violinists from pre-school to university age embraced the Auckland String Sessions programme, welcoming the chance to immerse themselves in music-making with our international guests.
Latest News - Keeping up with the play!
2025 Whakatipu Music Festival Introducing our Young Artists: Violists Tal Amoore and Yuxin Chen. In the lead up to our 2025 Whakatipu Music Festival we will be introducing you to each of our selected young and emerging artists who will take the stage alongside five internationally renowned classical musicians this Easter. About Tal: Born in…
The 2024 National String Competition reached a thrilling conclusion on 16 December, after three days of exceptional performances by New Zealand’s finest emerging string musicians. The competition, presented by the Hill Family Foundation for Arts and Music, was held alongside the Lewis Eady National Piano Competition, showcasing the incredible diversity of musical talent in New Zealand. First Prize went to…
The Grand Final of the 2024 Lewis Eady National Piano Competition took place on December 16, in tandem with the National String Competition, showcasing the exceptional talents of some of New Zealand’s finest emerging musicians. The prize-winners captivated the audience with their skill and artistry and were celebrated for their extraordinary dedication, with monetary awards along…
21 November 2024 After a lively recording session in Hamilton, I was off to Sydney! Having never been to Australia, I was excited to explore the city. We arrived at our hotel around 9:30 pm, right in the heart of Darling Square, where the streets were buzzing with life. I quickly dropped my luggage in…
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Meet our two violists from the 2025 Whakatipu Music Festival - Tal Amoore and Yuxin Chen.
Tal Amoore is a violist born in Sydney. Now based in Aotearoa, Tal is completing his Bachelor of Music at Te Kōkī NZSM. He has performed with NZSO, NZ Opera, RNZB, and is a founding member of Antipodes Quartet - an ensemble in partnership with Chamber Music NZ, the NZ String Quartet and Adam Chamber Music Festival.
Yuxin Chen was born in China and began playing viola at age eight. Yuxin received a full scholarship from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2018 and completed her Masters in 2024 in Amsterdam. She has performed in a variety of ensembles for both chamber and orchestral music.
Read more about our artists at Keep Up With the Play link in bio.
Mar 20
CALLING ALL SINGERS! Sing your heart out for the 2025 Whakatipu Music Festival! 🎼
Artistic Director of Choirs Aotearoa – Dr. Karen Grylls is bringing the beauty of choral tradition to Queenstown this April for the Whakatipu Music Festival. Undergo coaching and guidance in a choral setting from Karen Grylls and Elise Bradley leading up to a mass choir performance on Easter Monday 21 April.
Featured songs include The Hallelujah Chorus, O Fortuna, and Ode to Joy. Supported by members of the National Youth Choir, you will perform alongside a live orchestra at the Queenstown Memorial Centre.
The commitment to participate is:
- Tuesday 15 April & Thursday 17 April 7:00 – 9:30pm rehearsal at Te Atamira, Frankton
- Easter Monday 21 April 11:30am – 1:00pm dress rehearsal, and concert beginning at 2:00pm at Queenstown Memorial Centre
There is a participation fee of $25. Music provided. Every performer will receive a complimentary ticket to the event and 50% off all other festival tickets!
For the uber keen – Dr Grylls is also presenting a workshop on ‘Singing in an Ensemble’ Wednesday 16 April 5:30 – 7:00pm at Te Atamira, Frankton. Cost for attendance is $10 each and registrations for attendance are needed.
To register for Rejoice! Community Choir and other workshops or festival information, visit the links in our bio.
Mar 4
Tāhuna/Queenstown’s Whakatipu Music Festival returns this Easter! 🎻
Weaving together New Zealand’s outstanding emerging artists, international luminaries, local performers, with grassroots music initiatives, an exhilarating weekend is ahead.
TICKETS ARE ON ON SALE NOW from eventfinda.
For full programme and information about the artists, head to our website via the link in bio.
Mar 2
We would like to thank our sponsors Craigs Investment Partners for their ongoing support of the Hill Family Foundation for Arts and Music and the opportunities that this provides to emerging and early career musicians.
This support helped to make possible the 2024 National String Competition.
👏 CONGRATULATIONS once again to First Prize Winner Hayden Chiu!
Image credit Phil Brooks
Dec 18
2024 NATIONAL STRING COMPETITION WINNERS 🏆
Congratulations to violinist HAYDEN CHIU – First Prize winner of the 2024 National String Competition!
Hayden wins $5000, generously donated by the Becroft Foundation, along with a recital at Lewis Eady Steinway Showroom and a performance opportunity with the Auckland Philharmonia.
Our other prize winner are:
Sarah Lee
2nd Prize | $3000
Ryan Yeh
3rd Prize | $1000
Donated by Trinity College London.
Hyun Jae Lee
Best Performance of a Classical Sonata | $1,000
Donated by the Auckland Branch of Institute of Registered Music Teachers.
Hayden Chiu
Best Performance of a New Zealand Work | $500
Donated by SOUNZ
The results of the Lewis Eady National Piano Competition are:
Alex Bai
WINNER - 1st Prize | $5,000
Donated by Murray Jacobs
+ Recital at Lewis Eady Steinway Showroom
+ Performance opportunity with the Auckland Philharmonia
Henry Meng
2nd Prize | $3,000
Donated by Sally Evennett in memory of her late husband Derek Evennett
Madeleine Xiao
3rd Prize | $1,000
Donated by Trinity College London
Madeleine Xiao
Best Performance of a Classical Sonata | $1000
Donated by Auckland Branch of Institute of Registered Music Teachers
Lifeng (Steven) Song
Best Performance of a New Zealand Work | $500
Donated by SOUNZ
Dec 16
Congratulations to all of our National String Competition semi-finalists who gave stunning performances over the past two days.
The three players who have been chosen to compete in tomorrow’s Grand Final at the Westlake Girls College Event Centre are (in performance order):
Ryan Yeh, cello, age 13
Sarah Lee, violin, age 20
Hayden Chiu, violin, age 14
They will be joined but the three grand finalists of the Lewis Eady National Piano Competition (also in performance order):
Alex Bai
Henry Meng
Madeleine Xiao
Good luck to six Grand Finalists!
They are vying for a prize purse worth $20,000 and performance opportunities with Lewis Eady and the Auckland Philharmonia.
Secure your tickets via the link in our bio.
Dec 15
Day two of the National String Competition semi-finals is underway with so many spectacular performances by our competitors and their wonderful collaborative pianists so far.
Check back at 7:30pm when we will announce the competitors for tomorrow’s Grand Final at Westlake Girls College Event Centre.
Tickets available at via the link in our bio.
Dec 14
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