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Photo credit: Sarah Watkins and Gracie Francis

National String Competition – Sarah Watkins and Gracie Francis

We sat down with Sarah Watkins and Gracie Francis – our collaborative pianists for the 2024 National String Competition – to talk about what it’s like to work with a large number of young artists with a limited amount of rehearsal time…the challenges, the joys and the myriad of things that both competitor and accompanist…

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Photo credit: Sergey_Malov-2317_c_Julia_Wesely

Sergey Malov returns and turns the cello on its head – almost!

Sergey Malov, 2011 Michael Hill winner has charmed audiences across Aotearoa following his recent return tour and participation in the Adam Chamber Music Festival. He took some time to talk to Bryan Crump on RNZ Concert during his visit – To listen to their interview – click HERE.  

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Anne Rodda on New Zealand’s “Adaptation” Whakatipu Music Festival

Festival Director, Anne Rodda speaks to The Violin Channel about The Whakatipu Music Festival as an adaptation to the Michael Hill International Violin Competition and the incredible platform the festival offers.

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The Michael Hill International Violin Competition has raised the bar for violinists and string players in this country – inspiring our upcoming young players to reach for the stars. It has also been a positive step on the career paths of previous winners, with many now holding prestigious roles in world-class orchestras and enjoying international careers as solo performers.

~ Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand and Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage

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    Reliving the 2024 National String Competition and what's next
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    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
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    Introducing Rose Light – National String Competition semi-finalist.

Rose Light is a violinist based in Graz, Austria who will compete in the semi-finals which take place at Auckland University School of Music on the 14th and 15th of December. She will be vying for a place in the Grand Final at Westlake Girls High School on December 16.  

Secure your tickets via the link in our bio.
 
Rose began her tertiary studies at Victoria University under Helene Pohl and Martin Riseley and now studies in Austria at the Kunstuniversität Graz, under Prof Vesna Stankovich for violin and Prof Alexander Pavlovksy for chamber music. 
 
She plays on a Riccardo Bergonzi Violin ‘Vivace’ c.2005, made available through a generous loan by the Hill Family Foundation’s Instrument Bank.
 
In 2024, Rose was accepted for the Stefan Milenkovic Music Institut (Serbia), the Domaine Forget Academy (Quebec) and invited to join Sinfonia Smith Square (London orchestra) on tour in Italy. Rose has played in orchestras under numerous international conductors including Daniel Barenboim, Riccardo Muti, James Judd and Ariel Zuckermann.
 
Her accolades include winning first place in the International Note-Able Instrumental Competition in 2022 and second place in the Wellington Youth Concerto Competition (2023). Rose’s piano trio won the 2021 NZCT Chamber Music Contest Silver Award and her string quartet won the Queensland International Chamber Music Competition 2019 (Under 18s). Rose was also selected as one of six Violin Fellows for the Michael Hill International Violin Competition (2023). She was awarded her Licentiate of Music Diploma with Distinction in 2020. #violin #hffam Piano: Aimo Pagin
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    Introducing Mana Waiariki – National String Competition semi-finalist.

Mana Waiariki (Te Whānau-ā-Apanui) is a violinist from Te Whanganui a Tara, Wellington who will compete in the semi-finals which take place at Auckland University School of Music on the 14th and 15th of December. She will be vying for a place in the Grand Final at Westlake Girls High School on December 16.  

Secure your tickets via the link in our bio.
 
Mana is a freelance musician and is currently working full time at the New Zealand String Quartet Trust as a Toi Māori Aotearoa, Māori Arts Intern (MAI). 
 
She 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 through the Hill Family Foundation’s Instrument Bank.
#hffam #violin
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