Author: Rebecca Hendl-Smith
This author has written 18 articles
The Whakatipu Music Festival – 2025 dates announced.
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The Whakatipu Music Festival – 2025 dates announced.

Situated on the banks of Lake Whakatipu and running across the 4 days of the 2025 Easter weekend, 18 – 21 April, the Whakatipu Music Festival weaves together New Zealand’s most outstanding emerging musical talents with world-class luminaries, local grassroots music initiatives and dedicated local and national educators. The festival delivers an exhilarating event for every musical taste and ability. One of the reasons for the festival’s growing reputation and success is its commitment to delivering three interconnecting…

Find out MoreThe Whakatipu Music Festival – 2025 dates announced.
Instrument Bank – recipient profile: Mana Waiariki (Violin)

Instrument Bank – recipient profile: Mana Waiariki (Violin)

"Resonant, loud, heartfelt, and a bit of a drama queen!" This is how Wellington violinist Mana Waiariki describes her much-loved instrument, currently on loan to her thanks to the Hill Family Foundation of Arts and Music Instrument Bank initiative. But it wasn’t actually love at first sight/sound for this gifted young creative. Mana was halfway through the second year of her performance degree at Wellington’s New Zealand School of Music when she received the call inviting her to…

Find out MoreInstrument Bank – recipient profile: Mana Waiariki (Violin)
Instrument Bank recipient shares news from her musical travels across Europe
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Instrument Bank recipient shares news from her musical travels across Europe

Dear Sir Michael and Anne,  I wanted to give you an update on my European study and let you know where the Bergonzi violin is. I have been studying in Austria for 3 months now and it has been amazing. Attached is a photo of my violin class with our teacher Professor Vesna Stankovic, Concertmaster of the Volksoper Wien. I caught up with Ben Morrison recently for a lesson, it was great to see another kiwi over here! He…

Find out MoreInstrument Bank recipient shares news from her musical travels across Europe
The Michael Hill shines on the world stage.
WFIMC

The Michael Hill shines on the world stage.

Executive Director, Anne Rodda, has recently returned to Auckland after representing the Michael Hill International Violin Competition at the World Federation of International Music Competitions General Assembly. This year's conference was hosted by the Toscanini Competition in Parma, Italy. The WFIMC is a global network of internationally recognised competitions dedicated to identifying the most promising young talents in music. It provides a forum for 110 member’s dialogue and exchanges, focusing on artistic excellence, integrity and fairness, and guidelines.…

Find out MoreThe Michael Hill shines on the world stage.
Anna Im, Michael Hill 2019 winner takes two top international prizes.
MHIVC 2019

Anna Im, Michael Hill 2019 winner takes two top international prizes.

Our own 2019 Michael Hill winner, Anna Im of South Korea, is scooping up one major win after another.  In February she was awarded first prize at the 2024 Stuttgart International Violin Competition and just a few weeks later, she won the 2024 ArsClassica International Competition.  These triumphs follow her being named a Tillett Trust Debut Artist last year. This same commitment to her craft and to sharing her artistry with audiences was also evident throughout out her…

Find out MoreAnna Im, Michael Hill 2019 winner takes two top international prizes.
Michael Hill Fellows compete for the 56th National Concerto Competition title.
NCC Finalists 2024

Michael Hill Fellows compete for the 56th National Concerto Competition title.

The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra promise not one, but three concertos come Saturday 9 March, when 2023 Michael Hill Fellowship member violinists and 2022 Whakatipu Music Festival Young Artists Peter Gjelsten and Hazuki Katsukawa and Clarinettist and 2021 Whakatipu Festival artist Ben van Leuven compete in the finals of the 56th National Concerto Competition. The competition, which is in its 56th year, is one of New Zealand’s most prestigious and oldest music competitions for musicians 25 years and under.…

Find out MoreMichael Hill Fellows compete for the 56th National Concerto Competition title.
Jenny is coming back – 2024 Winners Tour announced
James Roberts

Jenny is coming back – 2024 Winners Tour announced

Winner of the 2023 Michael Hill, Jenny Jin of South Korea/ USA has announced the dates of her official winners tour. Jenny is confirmed to return to Australiasia for recital and concerto engagements to celebrate her win at last year's competition. Audiences will be thrilled to reunite with Jenny, and can look forward to being treated to the talents of not one but two international competition winners, as Jenny will be touring in partnership with pianist Jeonghwan Kim,…

Find out MoreJenny is coming back – 2024 Winners Tour announced