WINNERS ANNOUNCED
2024 NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL STRING COMPETITION
2024 LEWIS EADY NATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION
The 2024 National String Competition and Lewis Eady National Piano Competitions came to a thrilling climax
last night after three days of electrifying performances by 30 of New Zealand’s finest emerging musicians.
The string event, presented by the Hill Family Foundation for Arts and Music, took place from December 14–16
in Auckland, and ran in tandem with the Chiron Lewis Eady National Piano Competition.
Three competitors from each competition made it through to last night’s Grand Final at
Westlake Girls High School Event Centre where they performed in front of a live audience and
esteemed judges, violinist Dene Olding and Dr Paul Rickard-Ford.
National String Competition prize winners, presented by the Hill Family Foundation for Arts and Music
The First Prize winner of the 2024 National String Competition is violinist Hayden Chiu from Auckland.
Hayden is a 14-year-old student at Auckland Grammar School, learning the violin from Stephen Larsen
and Professor Robin Wilson.
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.
The Second Prize winner is Auckland-based violinist Sarah Lee, who receives $3000.
Third Prize was awarded to cellist Ryan Yeh, who is also from Auckland.
Ryan receives $1000 donated by Trinity College London.
The Best Performance of a Classical Sonata was won by cellist Hyun Jae Lee, from Auckland,
who receives $1,000 donated by the Auckland Branch of Institute of Registered Music Teachers.
And the Best Performance of a New Zealand Work went to First Prize winner Hayden Chiu,
who receives $500 generously donated by SOUNZ.
Lewis Eady National Piano Competition prize winners
The First Prize winner of the Lewis Eady National Piano Competition is 14-year old Alex Bai,
a student at Dilworth School, who receives $5000 donated by Murray Jacobs as well as a recital at
Lewis Eady Steinway Showroom and a performance opportunity with the Auckland Philharmonia.
The Second Prize winner is Henry Meng, who receives $3000 donated by Sally Evennett in
memory of her late husband Derek Evennett.
Third Prize Winner, Madeleine Xiao also won Best Performance of a Classical Sonata
and receives $1000 for each of those awards from Trinity College and the Auckland Branch of the
Institute of Registered Music Teachers, and the Best Performance of a New Zealand Work
was won by Lifeng (Steven) Songwho receives $500 generously donated by SOUNZ.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Sponsors and Attendees
The National String Competition and the Lewis Eady National Piano Competition were made
possible by the generous support of our sponsors and supporters: The Hill Family Foundation
for Arts and Music, Michael Hill International, Chiron Lewis Eady Foundation, Craigs Investment
Partners, Chiron Group NZ, Nockie’s Palette, IRMTNZ – Auckland Branch, SOUNZ, Trinity College
London, The University of Auckland School of Music, and RNZ Concert.
A special thanks to the adjudicators, all of the talented semi-finalists and participants, as well as
the dedicated audiences who attended this incredible weekend of music. We also wish to express
our deepest gratitude to the artists, their families, and the many supporters who made this year’s
competition such a success.
We look forward to continuing this tradition of fostering musical talent and celebrating classical
music in Aotearoa New Zealand for years to come.
For interviews and images contact communications@hillfamilyfoundation.nz
ENDS