Despite the icy weather, all the contestants and their Kiwi host families were given the warmest of welcomes at Sir Michael Hill’s Arrowtown home. They’ve flown to Queenstown from as far away as Russia, Lativa, Germany, South Korea and the USA. A traditional Maori pōwhiri (welcome) was led by tangata whenua with impressive performances from Arrowtown Primary School kapa haka group. The contestants responded to the welcome by singing the waiata ‘Te Aroha’ and greeting their hosts with…

Something else which makes our Competition different from others is that we don’t just create an opportunity for young international violinists to compete on the world stage, but we offer a number career development opportunities, right here in Aotearoa. In order for us best foster the next generation of violin talent, we have developed a thriving programme of development, education and community outreach activities, including masterclasses, workshops and our popular Classroom Conversations series. Masterclasses are intimate with limited…

Our Ad Libitum section continued on Sat 1 June, for the remaining eight Quarter-finalists. Ad Libitum means “according to pleasure” and, as such, the competitor chooses a work which resonates with them. Each is required to introduce their chosen piece and its (or their) significance to the judging panel and audience. It’s not just a test of skill and artistry, but of presentation skills and creativity. Australian Victoria Wong (at left) chose Ernst’s Der Erlkönig, expressing its importance…

Every Competition, the Quarter-finalists are all required to perform a commissioned piece by a New Zealand composer as part of Round 2. This year, we have the privilege of hearing - 16 times! - a new work by Wellington-born, Edinburgh-based Composer Lyell Cresswell. Lyell is a prolific composer who has written work for orchestra, opera, choral music and beyond. He has an APRA Silver Scroll for his contribution to New Zealand music and a New Zealand Arts Laureate…

Live and online audience members are encouraged to vote for their favourite competitor, online or NZ mobile (standard charges apply), in the Michael Hill International Violin Competition Audience Prize. Please find the online voting button on our Home Page or text the unique code of your favourite competitor to 3323 (NZ only. Standard call charges apply). Competitor codes are below. Contestant Text code Rimma Benyumova (Russia) RIM Emmalena Huning (Australia) EMMA Do Gyung (Anna) Im (South Korea) ANNA Harry…

This beautiful video of our 2011 winner Sergey Malov playing the Paganini’s Caprice 24 perfectly highlights the violinist’s stunning feats of dexterity. Martin Riseley is the Head of Strings at the New Zealand School of Music. He began violin studies at the age of six, and gave his first solo concert when he was ten. Since 2015, he has been Concertmaster of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and has conducted the Edmonton Symphony, Manawatu Chamber Orchestra, Academy Strings of Alberta, and…

Our Competitors enjoyed a brilliant opening event and draw announcement, at the home of Competition Founder Sir Michael Hill and his wife Christine, Lady Hill. Guests enjoyed a pōwhiri - a traditional Māori welcome - by Queenstown tangata whenua (people of this place) and children from Arrowtown Primary (pictured), as well as welcome speeches by Queenstown Mayor Jim Boult, Sir Michael Hill and Competition Director Anne Rodda. The following day, we welcomed a group of guests for lunch at…