Beautiful music in the most beautiful place on earth!
Audiences across Aotearoa, New Zealand welcomed the return of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition over the first 10 days of June 2023.
16 outstanding young violinists, selected by audition from an initial 160 applicants, travelled to Queenstown and Auckland and were wholeheartedly embraced by local audiences who journeyed with them through the highs and lows that come with a competition of this calibre.
The Michael Hill remains a favourite on the competition circuit, not just for its prestigious prize package, esteemed judging panel and career-launching opportunities, but also for the warmth and heart that greets every competitor from the moment they touch down in Aotearoa. For the rest of their careers, these artists will be connected to this place and can count on the support of the people they have met over the course of their stay. The term whānau means ‘extended family group’ in Te Reo (the Māori language) and all of the competitors and judges now join our treasured whānau.
So much more than a violin competition, the Michael Hill enables music-making opportunities to spill out across the community leaving a lasting impact on our local music scene. The introduction of the Fellowship programme in 2023 saw six exceptionally talented Kiwi violinists become part of the Michael Hill experience, observing every stage of the competition, learning from visiting jury members and workshopping and performing with many of the competitors. Firm friendships were formed that will help guide these young Kiwi musicians as they step onto the international stage in pursuit of their own performance careers.
In other community connections the opening Queenstown sessions saw engagements with local schools, retirement villages and even a performance at the popular LUMA light festival. The final leg of the competition in Auckland stepped things up several notches with the inaugural Auckland String Sessions. Music lovers young and old could connect with our judging panel of world-renowned soloists for workshops, masterclasses and to exchange ideas and learnings with our own industry leaders such as the New Zealand String Quartet. 60 violinists from pre-school to university age embraced the Auckland String Sessions programme, welcoming the chance to immerse themselves in music-making with our international guests.
Revisit all the 2023 performances on our Youtube channel.
Latest News - Keeping up with the play!
A tribute to Sir Michael Hill KNZM (1938-2025) New Zealand has lost one of her favourite sons and the international violin community has lost one of its greatest champions. On 29 July, 2025, Sir Michael died peacefully at his home in Arrowtown. He was surrounded by his family including his wife of 60 years, Christine, Lady…
2025 Whakatipu Music Festival AND THAT’S A WRAP! Thank you for the music. A whole week of activities! Six incredible and diverse concerts, private performances at lifestyle homes and at STARKWHITE gallery, workshops for students at all walks of life, and performances from incredible local performers! Our young artists gained incredible mentorship and support from our industry…
2025 Whakatipu Music Festival Welcoming two incredible conductors: Euan Safey and Reuben Brown In the lead up to our 2025 Whakatipu Music Festival we will be introducing you to each of our selected young and emerging artists who will take the stage alongside five internationally renowned classical musicians this Easter. About Reuben: Hailing from the…
2025 Whakatipu Music Festival Our Kiwi vocalists return home: Austin Haynes and Felicity Tomkins In the lead up to our 2025 Whakatipu Music Festival we will be introducing you to each of our selected young and emerging artists who will take the stage alongside five internationally renowned classical musicians this Easter. About Austin: Austin Haynes…
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The international violin community has lost one of its greatest champions. Today, our founder, Sir Michael Hill, died peacefully at his home in Arrowtown, New Zealand. He was surrounded by his family including his wife of 60 years, Christine, Lady Hill.
Not only did Sir Michael lend his name to our iconic event, he inspired generations of international violinists who all know they are now members of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition whānau (family).
Michael dreamed of being a concert violinist in his youth, but his family steered him into the jewellery trade and he instead became a household name with Michael Hill stores across New Zealand, Australia and Canada. He was a true artist with a keen eye for aesthetics and beauty, and an uncompromising standard of excellence. A committed amateur violinist, he practiced solo Bach every day his schedule allowed – constantly striving for improvement from which he derived enormous satisfaction.
Michael’s enthusiasm for music was infectious, yet his loss will be felt as much for the strong and practical advice he infused in hundreds of musicians by candidly sharing his own life lessons regarding the importance of goal setting, resilience, and the balance of being laser-focused yet not sweating the small stuff. He taught us to dream big, set a long-term goal, and work very hard with imagination and open heartedness towards that goal every day.
In this video - "To Sir Michael, in loving memory" - Bach`s Chaconne is played by all 11 winners of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition - Joseph Lin, Natalia Lomeiko, Ning Feng, Bella Hristova, Josef Špaček, Sergey Malov, Nikki Chooi, Suyeon Kang, Ioana Cristina Goicea, Anna Do Gyung Im and Yeyeong Jin.
Bach`s Chaconne in D minor, the final movement of Johann Sebastian Bach`s Partita No. 2 for solo violin, is a monumental and emotionally profound piece, often interpreted as a meditation on grief and loss.
The winners created this video as a tribute to Sir Michael who played a significant role in their lives and careers. It is a remarkable coming-together of some of the now most respected violinists in the world.
Jul 29
Such a treat to have Turn up the Music School perform alongside our next generation of young artists. Here are a collection of photos from NEXT GEN ONE!
Tomorrow we have Kinga Krupa Music students performing for Next Gen Two: in the afternoon, and in the evening a delightful feast of Musical Smorgasbord 🎨
Photos by @sadhbhphotography and @pab.herrero
Apr 19
Yesterday we had two heartwarming events - our open strings class with Ioana, Julian and Turn up the Music School, and a performance at Queenstown Country Club from Ivan and William. Getting to interact with the Tāhuna community is such a treat of this festival! 💜
📷 @sadhbhphotography
Apr 18
Last night two of our artists Esther Oh and Damon Herlihy O`Brien performed surrounded by the innovative art at @starkwhite gallery. It was a great evening with talks from Craigs Investment Partners, Kelly of Starkwhite and festival director Anne. Investing in a future that supports art and music 🎨
📷 @pab.herrero
Apr 17
Yesterday we had Open Piano Class 🎹 with Stephen De Pledge and Bernadette Harvey, and our first Rejoice! rehearsal with the community choir, Dr. Karen Grylls and Elise Bradley. Brains and bodies are being put to work! 🧠
TONIGHT is “Singing In An Ensemble” workshop with Karen Grylls at Te Atamira, 5:30pm
TOMORROW is Open Strings class with Julian Smiles and @ioanacristinagoicea at Te Atamira 5:30pm
Head to our website for more info 🔗 in bio
📸 @pab.herrero
Apr 16
Strings everywhere! 🎻 Yesterday began our ensemble coaching with Stephen and Ioana. Take a close look at what`s going on in the rehearsal room this week!
📸 @pab.herrero
Apr 16
Welcoming two incredible conductors to Whakatipu.
Euan is a New Zealand-born orchestra conductor, chorus master and collaborative pianist. In 2024 he studied at @elderconservatorium where he is now a conductor and pianist. Euan has worked with @the_aso, State Opera South Australia and @adelaidefestival. He is also part of the 2025 Australian Conducting Academy.
“Music is all about collaboration. To be able to perform with terrific players and work with prominent guest artists will be so rewarding.”
Hailing from the deep south, Reuben Brown completed his honours @vicuniwgtn_nzsm. Reuben is the 2025 NZ Assistant Conductor-in-Residence where he will debut with the @aklphil, @christchurchsymphonyorchestra and @dunedinsymphonyorchestra assisting resident and visiting conductors.
"Over the past few months, I’ve been honing my skills with Auckland Philharmonia and I’m eager to put them to good use with this exciting cohort of musicians.”
Read more at Keep Up With the Play. Link in bio.
Apr 9
Alongside performing as our countertenor, Austin Haynes will read their translations of Shakespeare into te reo at Frankton Library on Thursday 17 April at 5:30pm.
Opera singer, poet and te reo Māori scholar Austin Haynes is on a bold mission - to translate all 154 of Shakespeare`s sonnets into te reo Māori!
Join him for a discussion on the challenges and opportunities of moving between languages, literary traditions and for a reflection on what te reo Māori can reveal about the Bard.
This is a free event.
Apr 8
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