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2024 New Zealand National String Competition Winners
photo credit Hayden Chiu, Sarah Lee, Ryan Yeh and adjudicator Dene Olding

2024 New Zealand National String Competition Winners

The 2024 National String Competition reached a thrilling conclusion on 16 December, after three days of exceptional performances by New Zealand’s finest emerging string musicians. The competition, presented by the Hill Family Foundation for Arts and Music, was held alongside the Lewis Eady National Piano Competition, showcasing the incredible diversity of musical talent in New Zealand. First Prize went to 14-year-old violinist Hayden Chiu from Auckland Grammar. Hayden, a student of Stephen Larsen and Professor Robin Wilson, won $5,000 (donated by the Becroft Foundation), a…

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Welcoming two incredible conductors to Whakatipu Music Festival

Welcoming two incredible conductors to Whakatipu Music Festival

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 deep south of Aotearoa New Zealand, Reuben Brown is the 2025 NZ Assistant Conductor-in-Residence, where he will debut with the Auckland Philharmonia, Christchurch…

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Our Kiwi vocalists return: Felicity Tomkins and Austin Haynes

Our Kiwi vocalists return: Felicity Tomkins and Austin Haynes

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 is a countertenor, poet, translator and researcher originally from Kā Muriwai/Arrowtown. He grew up between there and Narrm/Melbourne. In 2019 he moved to…

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Introducing our Young Artists: Esther Oh and Sarah Lee

Introducing our Young Artists: Esther Oh and Sarah Lee

2025 Whakatipu Music Festival Introducing our Young Artists: Violinists Esther Oh and Sarah Lee 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 Esther: 20-year-old Esther Oh was born in New Zealand and is in their second year studying violin and conducting at the University of Auckland. Picking up…

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Introducing our Young Artists: Otis Prescott-Mason and Yixuan (William) Sun

Introducing our Young Artists: Otis Prescott-Mason and Yixuan (William) Sun

2025 Whakatipu Music Festival Introducing our Young Artists: Otis Prescott-Mason and Yixuan (William) Sun 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. Otis Prescott-Mason: Otis Prescott-Mason is a Wellington-born pianist who began his piano studies with Erin Taylor at the age of five. He is currently studying classical performance piano at…

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Introducing our Young Artists: Tal Amoore and Yuxin Chen

Introducing our Young Artists: Tal Amoore and Yuxin Chen

2025 Whakatipu Music Festival Introducing our Young Artists: Violists Tal Amoore and Yuxin Chen. 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 Tal: Born in Sydney and based in Aotearoa, violist Tal Amoore a recipient of the NZSM Director’s Award, he is completing his Bachelor of Music at…

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The 2024 Lewis Eady National Piano Competition: a celebration of emerging talent!
Alex Bai, photo Phil Brooks.

The 2024 Lewis Eady National Piano Competition: a celebration of emerging talent!

The Grand Final of the 2024 Lewis Eady National Piano Competition took place on December 16, in tandem with the National String Competition, showcasing the exceptional talents of some of New Zealand’s finest emerging musicians. The prize-winners captivated the audience with their skill and artistry and were celebrated for their extraordinary dedication, with monetary awards along with performance opportunities and the reputational boost that comes with success.   The winners of the 2024 Lewis Eady National Piano Competition are:…

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Keeping Up With The Play – Jenny’s Winners Tour Blog #4
Jenny Jin in Sydney

Keeping Up With The Play – Jenny’s Winners Tour Blog #4

21 November 2024 After a lively recording session in Hamilton, I was off to Sydney! Having never been to Australia, I was excited to explore the city. We arrived at our hotel around 9:30 pm, right in the heart of Darling Square, where the streets were buzzing with life. I quickly dropped my luggage in the room and went to explore Sydney's night views. I had some street sweets and saw several bustling restaurants that I noted to…

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