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Hear that sound? Musicians are in town!
Will King, baritone, Sheena Haywood, photographer, and Liam Wooding, piano

Hear that sound? Musicians are in town!

'Twas the first day of winter, when high above Queenstown A large jumbo jet brought a rumbling sound Of musicians aplenty, their instruments aboard; Snowy mountains grew closer, further they came towards.   The graceful runaway below, a fly-away stave; No more beautiful sight their vision ever gave, For the Whakatipu Music Festival, these artists arrive; An inaugural event filled with Kiwi classical music pride.   Whakatipu Music Festival's artists touched down at Queenstown Airport this afternoon. Met…

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Let’s get quizzical! Hear more from Festival Artists
Pictured: Young Artist William King, baritone

Let’s get quizzical! Hear more from Festival Artists

In the run-up to the Whakatipu Music Festival, we’ve rounded up the best answers from our Artist Interviews. Hear from our Professional Artists and Young Artists as they talk about stage fright, classical music today, and 2020’s silver linings…   Interviewees: Cecile McNeill, viola Anna Leese, soprano Jonathan Cohen, clarinet Will King, baritone Noelle Dannenbring, piano KiHei Lee, violin Stephen De Pledge, piano Somi Kim (NZTrio), piano   What excites you most about Queenstown? Scenery Snow  Real winter…

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We chat to 2 Training Ground Apprentices!

We chat to 2 Training Ground Apprentices!

Which festival performance are you most looking forward to and why? Eleanor Denston: I am looking forward to seeing the Community Showcase on Sunday at 9.30am. With performances by Kinga Krupa’s music students, I’m looking forward to being blown away by their young talents. Here are musicians who not only play regular concerts, they run the show as well! Encouraging leadership at an early age helps to empower our children to become the leaders of tomorrow. Through self-directed…

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Young Artist Interviews: Dominic Lee & Tony Yan Tong Chen

Young Artist Interviews: Dominic Lee & Tony Yan Tong Chen

Get to know two of our Young Artists, Dominic Lee (cello) and Tony Yan Tong Chen (piano), as they answer our burning questions!   Pictured: Tony Yan Tong Chen   What excites you most about Queenstown? Dominic Lee: Queenstown is quite possibly my favourite city in the whole world! So having a chance to create music there will truly be special. Apart from that, I am looking forward to Fergburger and Patagonia! Do you ever get stage fright?…

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Trust launches Instrument Bank for Kiwis

Trust launches Instrument Bank for Kiwis

The Michael Hill Violin Competition Charitable Trust has launched a project to help get string instruments in the hands of young players who need them. Executive Director Anne Rodda spoke to Upbeat about the Trust's Instrument Bank initiative, which was set up with the recognition that New Zealand’s young musicians were in need of instruments

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