Tal Amoore’s journey as a violist commenced unusually late at the age of 15 under the guidance of Dr John Thompson, then with Gillian Ansell of the NZ String Quartet. Tal has graced stages across New Zealand, performing with many regional orchestras as well as festivals such as Cuba Dupa, the Fringe Festival, and Classical on Cuba.

As a Rostered Artist of the Afflatus Ensemble, Tal has demonstrated his versatility as both a soloist and principal violist. He founded the Eden Quartet and has participated in the NZSQ’s Adam Summer School numerous times, and recently embarked on a recording project with a small ensemble of string players alongside London-based Arjuna Oakes and his band.

Tal has been honoured to be an APO Young Achiever and a Dame Malvina Major Ensemble Rostered Artist. He was also an At the World’s Edge Emerging Artist in 2022 and is looking forward to returning again in 2024.

Semi-Final Round 1

Schubert                      Sonata in A Minor, D. 821 (Arpeggione)
                                       Allegro Moderato

Rebecca Clarke          Morpheus

 

Semi-Final Round 2

Caroline Shaw            In Manus Tuas

Martin Lodge              Pacific Rock

Schumann                   Märchenbilder, op. 113, Lebhaft

 

Final Round

Eric Coates                  First Meeting (Souvenir)

Telemann                     Fantasia No. 7 for Violin, (arr. for Viola)
                                        Dolce, Allegro, Largo, Presto

Büsser                          Appassionato, op. 34           

                                         

                                         

Amy is a year 12 student at Saint Kentigern College, where she holds the position of College Arts Prefect. She previously studied violin with Stephen Larsen and is now learning under the guidance of Mark Bennett.

As concertmaster in the Saint Kentigern College Symphony Orchestra, Amy’s passion for orchestral music extends to her involvement with the NZ Secondary Schools Symphony Orchestra (NZSSSO) and the 2024 NZSO Young Artist Showcase. She has won numerous awards with her chamber group at the NZCT Chamber Music Contest, including National Finalist 2022 and 2024, and Auckland District Best Group Overall this year. Additionally, she won the Young Performer of The Year Award at North Shore Performing Arts Society (NSPAS) and was nominated to compete at the Performing Arts Competitions Association (PACANZ) in 2023.

Amy has also had the honour of playing in events such as the Ning Feng Masterclass and the Auckland String Sessions hosted by the Michael Hill International Violin Competition.

 

Semi-Final Round 1

Bach                                         Sonata No. 1 in G Minor, BWV 1001
                                                  Adagio

Poulenc                                    Violin Sonata in D Minor, FP119
                                                   Presto tragico

Gillian Whitehead                  Beloved

 

Semi-Final Round 2

Beethoven                           Sonata No. 1 in D Major, op. 12, no. 1
Allegro con brio

Ravel                                     Sonata No. 2 in G Major
                                               Allegretto

Ysaÿe                                     Sonata No. 2 for Solo Violin in A Minor, op. 27
                                                Obsession (Prélude)

 Final Round

Bach                                         Sonata No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1005
                                                  Largo

Louise Webster                       V is for… Velleity and Vecordious

Sarasate                                    Spanish Dances, op. 21, no. 1
                                                    Malaguena

Ravel                                         Sonata No. 2 in G Major
                                                   Blues

Hayden is a year 9 student at Auckland Grammar School. He began violin studies with Dr Elena Abramova, and learns from Stephen Larsen and Professor Robin Wilson.

Hayden won first prize in the Golden Classical Music Competition in 2019, which led to a performance at Carnegie Hall. He has since been awarded Distinction in Strings for three consecutive years from the APPA/Ara Lodge Music Competition, and attended King’s School on a John Henley Music Scholarship.

Hayden received chamber and orchestral music coaching from Mark Bennett, Pettman National Junior Academy, Auckland String Quartet Summer School, APO Big Play In, Melbourne Youth Orchestra Summer School, and Manukau Symphony Orchestra.

Hayden’s piano trio has earned Highly Commended and Regional Finalist awards from NZCT Chamber Contest in 2021 and 2023. He enjoyed touring as a member of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra National Youth Orchestra in 2022, and was selected as Associate Concertmaster in 2023.

Hayden participated in Piccolo Violino Competition in Italy and performed as soloist with Devonport Chamber Orchestra and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in 2024.

 

Semi-Final Round 1

Grieg                                 Violin and Piano Sonata No. 3 in C Minor, op. 45
                                            Allegro molto ed appassionato

Gareth Farr                      Wakatipu

Sarasate                            Introduction and Tarantella, op. 43

 

Semi-Final Round 2

Beethoven                        Violin and Piano Sonata No.1 in D Major, op. 12, no. 1
                                            Allegro Con Brio

Szymanowski                   Mythes, op. 30
                                            La fontaine d’Aréthuse

Ysaÿe                                 Sonata for Solo Violin No. 4 in E Minor, op. 27
                                            Lento Maestoso
                                            

 

Final Round

Bach                                    Violin Partita No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1006
                                              Preludio

Michael C.W. Bell             Ode to a Western Shore (premiere)

Saint-Saëns                        Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, op. 28

Damon began playing the cello shortly before his fourth birthday and is currently studying a conjoint BMus/BSc (psychology) degree at The University of Auckland under James Tennant for his cello studies.

In 2021, Damon achieved both the NZQA Top Scholar award for the highest NCEA Scholarship Music score in the country and offer of a prestigious Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship from Waikato University. In 2023, he performed as one of the Emerging Artists in Cental Otago’s At the World’s Edge music festival.

Much in demand as both a soloist and ensemble musician, Damon is the Principal Cello of the Auckland Youth Orchestra (winning the AYO Concerto Competition in 2021), and Principal Cello of the University of Auckland Symphony Orchestra. He also performs as a drummer for the popular heavy metal band Cyanide Altar and is a percussionist for Waitakere Brass. He plays a fine Carboni cello on generous loan to him through the Hill Family Foundation’s Instrument Bank.

 

Semi-Final Round 1

Bach                                                       Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1009
                                                                Prelude

Martin Lodge                                       Epitaph, in Memoriam Douglas Lilburn

Prokofiev                                               Cello Sonata in C Major, op. 119
                                                                 Andante Grave

 

Semi-Final Round 2

Beethoven                                             Cello Sonata No. 3 in A Major, op. 69
                                                                Allegro ma non tanto

Martinů                                                 Cello Sonata No. 2, H. 286
                                                                 Allegro

Mark Summer                                    Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming

Final Round

Bach                                                       Cello Suite No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1008
                                                                Prelude
                                                                Gigue

Schumann                                            Fantasiestücke, op. 73 (Lebhaft, leicht)

Psathas                                                   Halo for Cello and Piano
Angelus

Boudewijn Keenan is an Honours level university student studying cello under the tutelage of James Tennant at the University of Auckland. This is his first year studying in Auckland, after completing his undergraduate degree in music at the University of Otago with Dr Heleen du Plessis, majoring in cello performance.

Boudewijn is involved in numerous musical projects of different natures, which encompass orchestral, chamber and solo playing. Highlights over the years have included playing in the National Youth Orchestra for four years, including as principal cellist, forming the Passione Quartet this year and winning the Dunedin Concerto Competition in 2023, performing Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations with full orchestra in the Dunedin Town Hall.

 

Semi-Final Round 1

Schubert                                                Sonata in A Minor, D. 821 (Arpeggione)
                                                                Allegro Moderato

Bloch                                                      From Jewish Life:  Prayer

Cassado                                                  Solo Suite for Cello
                                                                 Intermezzo e Danza Finale

Semi-Final Round 2

Schumann                                            Adagio and Allegro, op. 70

Gareth Farr                                           Shadow of the Hawk

 

Final Round

Bach                                                         Suite No. 5 in C Minor, BWV 1011
                                                                  Prelude

de Falla                                                    Suite Populaire Espagnole
                                                                  El paño moruno; Nana; Canción; Asturiana 

Ginastera                                               Cello Sonata, op. 49
                                                                 Allegro con fuoco

Ingrid is a versatile chamber musician and soloist, currently in her final year of study at Christchurch Girls’ High School.

At the age of 15, Ingrid was selected as a soloist for the NZSO Young Soloists Showcase, leading to a performance as a soloist with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra conducted by James Judd. In 2021, she was invited as a guest soloist for a concert tour with the Baroque Music Community and Educational Trust of New Zealand, performing Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Cellos with Tomas Hurnik. In the previous year, she was a semi-finalist in the Performing Arts Competitions Association (PACANZ) National Young Performers’ Award Competition.

 

Semi-Final Round 1

Beethoven                                            Sonata No. 5 in D Major, op. 102, no. 2
Allegro con brio

Chopin                                                  Polonaise brilliante in C Major, op. 3

Cassadó                                                 Requiebros

 

Semi-Final Round 2

Hindemith                                             Cello Sonata, op. 25, no. 3
                                                                 Lebhaft, Sehr Markiert
                                                                 Mäßig  Schnell, Gemächlich
                                                                 Mäßig  Schnell

Martin Lodge                                       Epitaph, in Memoriam Douglas Lilburn

Popper                                                    Hungarian Rhapsody in D Major, op. 68

 

Final Round

Bach                                                         Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007
Prelude

Debussy                                                  Beau soir

de Falla                                                    Suite Populaire Espagnole
                                                                  El Paño Moruno; Nana; Canción; Polo; Jota

 

de Falla                                                    Ritual Fire Dance

Sarah is currently in the second year of her Bachelor of Music degree at The University of Auckland, studying with Stephen Larsen. Her passion for music has led to various achievements, including a Gold award at the NZCT Chamber Music Competition in 2021, second place at the Performing Arts Competitions Association (PACANZ) National Competition in 2022 and receiving the Chiron Lewis Eady Foundation Scholarship the same year.

She also performed as a first violinist in the NZSO National Youth Orchestra in 2022 and has been selected as an Emerging Artist for the 2024 At the World’s Edge music festival in Central Otago.  Sarah plays on violin on loan to her through the Hill Family Foundation’s Instrument Bank.

 

Semi-Final Round 1

Bach                                                Sonata No.1 in G Minor for Solo Violin, BWV 1001
                                                         Adagio
                                                         Fugue

Saint-Saëns                                   Havanaise, op. 83

Semi-Final Round 2

Beethoven                                       Violin Sonata No. 7 in C Minor, op. 30, no. 2
                                                          Allegro con brio

Gareth Farr                                      Wakatipu

Shostakovich                                   Four Preludes for Violin and Piano, op. 34

Final Round

Schumann                                        Violin Sonata No. 1 in A Minor, op. 105
                                                            Mit leidenschaftlichem Ausdruck

Boulanger                                         Nocturne and Cortège

Tchaikovsky                                      Valse-Scherzo, op. 34

Hyun Jae started playing the cello at the age of seven and is currently studying under James Tennant.

 Since beginning his cello journey, he has received numerous awards through competitions in New Zealand and overseas. Notably, he was awarded the Most Promising Player at both the Te Awamutu Competition in 2016 and the 12th Akaroa International Music Festival. Hyun Jae has won prizes from the Padova International Cello Competition, the Valsecia Music Competition and the Prague International Music Competition. His dedication to music continues to grow and he aspires to further his music studies.

 

Semi-Final Round 1

Bach                                                 Cello Suite No. 6 in D Major, BWV1012
                                                          Prelude

Rachmaninoff                                Vocalise, op. 34, no. 14

Ginastera                                        Pampeana No. 2, Rhapsody for Cello and Piano, op. 21

 

Semi-Final Round 2

Beethoven                                       Sonata No. 4 in C Major, op. 102
                                                          Andante – Allegro vivace

Faure                                                Trois Mélodies in C Minor, op. 7
                                                           Après un rêve

Lyell Cresswell                                Atta
                                                           Mormorante
Pellucido
Con Fuoco

Final Round

Schubert                                          Sonata in A Minor, D. 821 (Arpeggione)
Allegro Moderato

Prokofiev                                         Sonata in C Major, op.119
                                                           Moderato; Andante dolce; Moderato primo

Cassadó                                            Danse du diable vert

Kimberley is currently under the tutelage of James Tennant, studying a Bachelor of Music majoring in Cello Performance and a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Finance and Commercial Law at the University of Auckland.

In 2019 and 2020, she received First Prize in the Golden Classical International Music Awards Competition, the Brussels Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition, and First Equal in the Pacific International Music Competition. Kimberley has also performed in renowned venues – namely Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House – and was invited to perform at the Centre for Fine Arts in Brussels.

Most recently, she won Third Place and the Audience’s Choice Award at the 2022 National Young Performer Awards.

 

Semi-Final Round 1

Beethoven                                            Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 4 in C Major, op. 102, no. 1
                                                                Andante – Allegro Vivace

Martin Lodge                                       Epitaph, in Memoriam Douglas Lilburn

Chopin                                                   Cello Sonata in G Minor, op. 65
                                                                Finale. Allegro

Semi-Final Round 2

Bloch                                                        From Jewish Life
Prayer

Bright Sheng                                           Seven Tunes Heard in China
                                                                   Seasons; Little Cabbage; Diu Diu Dong

Cassadó                                                    Requiebros

 

Final Round

Chopin                                                     Cello Sonata in G Minor, op. 65
                                                                   Allegro moderato

Rachmaninoff                                        Sonata for Cello and Piano in G Minor, op. 19
                                                                  Andante

Ginastera                                               Cello Sonata, op. 49
                                                                 Allegro con fuoco

Rose began her tertiary studies at Victoria University under Dr Martin Riseley and now studies in Austria at the Kunstuniversität Graz, under Prof Vesna Stankovich for violin and Prof Alexander Pavlovksy for chamber music.

Her accolades include winning second place in the Stockholm International Music Competition 2024, first place in the International Note-Able Instrumental Competition in 2022 and second place in the Wellington Concerto Competition 2023. Her string quartet won the Queensland International Chamber Music Competition 2019 (Under 18s) and her piano trio won the 2021 NZCT Chamber Music Contest Silver Award.

Rose was selected as one of six Violin Fellows for the Michael Hill International Violin Competition (2023). She was awarded the Barbara Finlayson Post-Graduate Scholarship at Victoria University in her second year of a Bachelor degree and the Dame Malvina Major Cecily Maccoll Award in 2021.

In 2024, Rose was accepted for the Stefan Milenkovic Music Institute (Serbia), the Domaine Forget Academy (Quebec) and invited to join Sinfonia Smith Square (London orchestra) on tour in Italy. She has played in orchestras under numerous international conductors including Daniel Barenboim, Riccardo Muti, James Judd and Ariel Zuckermann.

Rose plays a Riccardo Bergonzi Violin ‘Vivace’ c.2005, made available through a generous loan by the Hill Family Foundation’s Instrument Bank.

 

Bach                                                      Partita No. 3 in E Major for Solo Violin, BWV 1006
                                                               Gavotte en Rondeau

Tchaikovsky                                         Souvenir d’un lieu cher, op. 42, no. 1, Méditation

Semi-Final Round 2

Mozart                                                   Sonata for Piano and Violin in A Major, K. 526
                                                                Allegro molto

Douglas Lilburn                                  Sonata for Violin and Piano in E-flat Major
                                                                Andante

Shchedrin                                             In the Style of Albeniz, (arr. for Violin and Piano by Zyganow)

Final Round

Franck                                                    Sonata in A Major for Violin and Piano
                                                                Allegretto ben moderato
                                                                Allegro

de Falla                                                    Danse Espagnole from La vida breve, (arr. for Violin and Piano by Kreisler)

Enshean (Sheena) Lin started learning the violin at the age of six, and now is a fourth-year student at the University of Auckland, studying with Stephen Larsen. She has performed with ensembles including the National Youth Orchestra and the Auckland Philharmonia.

Her recent musical highlights include performing at the At World’s Edge music festival in Central Otago as an Emerging Artist in 2022, and touring ‘Another Night in Vienna’ with Chamber Music New Zealand in 2021.

Semi-Final Round 1

Beethoven                                       Sonata No. 4 in A Minor, op. 23
                                                          Presto

Gillian Whitehead                         Bright silence

Wieniawski                                     Polonaise Brillante No. 1 in D Major, op. 4

 

Semi-Final Round 2

Bach                                                  Sonata No. 1 in G Minor, BMV 1001
                                                           Adagio
Fuga (Allegro)

Prokofiev                                         Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, op. 80
                                                           Allegro brusco

Ravel                                                 Pièce en forme de Habanera

 

Final Round

Saint-Saëns                                        Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, op. 28

Mendelssohn                                     Violin Sonata in F Major
                                                              Allegro

Angel Wen Tao is a year 9 student at Diocesan School for Girls where she is the recipient of a music scholarship. She studies the violin with Dr John Thomson, participates in the school orchestras and choirs and has served in leadership positions in various ensembles. In 2022 Angel achieved her ATCL in violin performance.

Angel has been awarded the top prize in several music competitions in New Zealand and Singapore. She has been featured as soloist with a number of orchestras, most recently the Manukau Symphony Orchestra. Angel also enjoys playing chamber music on the viola, and this year was selected (on viola) for the national finals of the NZ Chamber Music Competition, as a member of the Debussy Trio.

 

Semi-Final Round 1

Mozart                                            Violin Sonata in G Major, K. 301
                                                         Allegro con spirito

Bach                                                Sonata No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 1003
                                                         Andante

Sarasate                                         Zigeunerweisen in C Minor, op. 20

 

Semi-Final Round 2

Brahms                                           Sonatensatz in C Minor (Scherzo from the F.A.E Sonata), WoO 2

Douglas Lilburn                            Sonata in B Minor

 

Final Round

Bartók                                              Rhapsody No. 1 for Violin and Piano

de Falla                                            Suite Populaire Espagnole, (arr. by Kochanski)
                                                           Nana

Bazzini                                              Scherzo fantastique in E Minor, op. 25, La ronde des lutins

Mana Waiariki (Te Whānau-ā-Apanui) is a freelance musician based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara and is currently working full time at the New Zealand String Quartet Trust as a Toi Māori Aotearoa, Māori Arts Intern (MAI).

Mana completed her Bachelor of Music last year, majoring in Classical Violin Performance under the tutelage of Helene Pohl of the NZSQ at Victoria University, Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music. Mana was generously supported by the Deane Endowment Trust throughout her studies.

As a violinist, Mana has played in art festivals such as the Fringe Festival, Cuba Dupa, and Classical on Cuba and with various orchestras across Aotearoa including the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, Hawke’s Bay Orchestra and the Nelson Symphony Orchestra. Mana is currently trialling with Orchestra Wellington for a position as a core first violinist. She also teaches at Arohanui Strings and privately and plays a violin on loan to her though the Hill Family Foundation’s Instrument Bank.

 

Semi-Final Round 1

Scarlett Peckham                           Focus for Solo Violin

Fauré                                                 Violin Sonata No. 1 in A Major, op. 13
                                                            Finale: Allegro quasi presto

Beethoven                                        Violin Sonata No. 8 in G Major, op. 30, no. 3
                                                           Allegro assai

 

Semi-Final Round 2

Michael Norris                                   Waipounamu for solo violin and fixed electronic sounds

Saint-Saëns                                         Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, op. 28

Bach                                                      Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1004
                                                               Allemande

 

Final Round

Sarasate                                           Zigeunerweisen, op. 20 (Gypsy Airs)

Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal     Reclamations for Violin and Piano

Bloch                                                Baal Shem: Three Pictures of Chassidic Life
                                                           Nigun

Ryan Yeh began studying cello at the age of five and is currently under the tutelage of James Tennant. Ryan is a music scholar and cultural prefect at Saint Kentigern Boys School.

In 2024, Ryan was awarded second place in the New Zealand Note-Able National Instrumental Competition and was the winner in the instrumental section of the Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition in Queensland.

In 2023, Ryan performed with New Zealand Symphony Orchestra as part of the Young Artist Programme. He won third place in the Beethoven Concours Nederland 2023 – Junior Cello Competition and also received Most Promising Player Award at Christchurch National Concerto Competition (2023).

Other awards include first prize at the Gustav Mahler Cello Competition in Category II (2022); a winner in the 2022 Anton Rubinstein International Junior Cello Competition; and winner of the 2020-2021 Vivo International Music Competition Cello Category I.

 

Semi-Final Round 1

Psathas                                                    Halo for Cello and Piano
Red Halo

Beethoven                                             Cello Sonata No. 3 in A Major, op. 69
Adagio cantabile – Allegro vivace

Martinů                                                    Variations on a Slovakian Theme for Cello and Piano

 

Semi-Final Round 2

Boccherini                                            Cello Sonata in A Major
                                                               Adagio; Allegro moderato

Debussy                                                Sonata for Cello and Piano in D Minor
                                                               Serenade; Finale

Sollima                                                  Lamentatio

 

Final Round

Debussy                                                  Sonata for Cello and Piano in D Minor
                                                                 Prologue

Psathas                                                   Halo for Cello and Piano
                                                                 Stacia

Popper                                                    Hungarian Rhapsody in D Major, op. 68

Lorna Zhang is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Auckland, majoring in Violin Performance under the guidance of Stephen Larsen.

She was selected as an Emerging Artist for the At the World’s Edge music festival 2023 in Central Otago. Lorna received the ROSL Pettman Scholarship 2024, facilitated by the Royal Overseas League, which funded a career development tour around the northern hemisphere this July and August. Lorna’s chamber group, Kaha Trio, is an ‘Aspiring Musicians’ ensemble in association with the Auckland Philharmonia.

Lorna has played in masterclasses for international artists such as Ning Feng, Ilya Gringolts and James Ehnes. As part of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition 2023, she had the honour of joining Ning Feng and Sarah Watkins in a performance of Sarasate’s Navarra for Two Violins and Piano.

Outside of being a performer, Lorna was awarded second prize in the University of Auckland Lilburn Trust Awards 2023 for her work Space written for solo violin.

Semi-Final Round 1

Bach                                                   Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 1003
                                                            Grave
Fuga

Brahms                                              Violin Sonata No. 3 in D Minor, op. 108
                                                             Presto agitato

Semi-Final Round 2

Beethoven                                         Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 4 in A Minor, op. 23
                                                            Presto

Gareth Farr                                      Wakatipu for Solo Violin

Ysaÿe                                                  Sonata for Solo Violin No. 5 in G Major, op. 27

Final Round

Brahms                                             Violin Sonata No. 3 in D Minor, op. 108
                                                            Allegro

Ravel                                                  Tzigane