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Applications are open

Applications are open

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR 2026 MICHAEL HILL INTERNATIONAL VIOLIN COMPETITION New Zealand’s lauded global music competition celebrates 25 years in 2026 Sixteen of the world’s best 18 to 26-year-old violinists will compete in Queenstown and Auckland for a NZ$100,000 prize pool New Zealand’s globally-regarded Michael Hill International Violin Competition, generously supported by the Hill Family Foundation for Arts and Music, returns to Queenstown and Auckland from 29 May to 6 June 2026. 2026 marks 25 years since the late…

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Celebrating the launch of ‘A Winner’s Recital’

Celebrating the launch of ‘A Winner’s Recital’

Yeyeong Jenny Jin's winner's album released 19 September 2025 We are excited to partner with Atoll Records in welcoming an exciting new violin album to the music world. 'A Winner's Recital' by 2023 winner Yeyeong Jenny Jin, will be released on 19 September. The album includes Jenny performing Camille Saint-Saëns' Violin Sonata No.1 and Giuseppe Tartini's Devil's Trill Sonata, alongside Gillian Whitehead's Bright Silence, Ysaye Sonata 5, and more. Yeyeong Jenny Jin won first prize at the 2023…

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A tribute to Sir Michael Hill KNZM (1938-2025)

A tribute to Sir Michael Hill KNZM (1938-2025)

On 29 July 2025, New Zealand lost one of her favourite sons and the international violin community lost one of its greatest champions. Competition founder Sir Michael died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family including his wife of 60 years, Christine, Lady Hill. Not only did Sir Michael lend his name to one of the world’s most respected major violin contests and an iconic event on the New Zealand landscape, he inspired generations of international violinists that all…

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Video audition tips from the experts

Video audition tips from the experts

"The audition tape must be as perfect as a commercial one but as spontaneous and inspired as a concert performance." This sage piece of advice has been offered by Boris Garlitsky, Professor of Violin at the Paris Conservatoire, in a piece by our friends and long-time partner, The Violin Channel who asked a line-up of esteemed international pedagogues about the common mistakes students make with competition audition videos. Need some advice on recording your video audition? Have a…

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Instrument Bank – recipient profile: Mana Waiariki (Violin)

Instrument Bank – recipient profile: Mana Waiariki (Violin)

"Resonant, loud, heartfelt, and a bit of a drama queen!" This is how Wellington violinist Mana Waiariki describes her much-loved instrument, currently on loan to her thanks to the Hill Family Foundation of Arts and Music Instrument Bank initiative. But it wasn’t actually love at first sight/sound for this gifted young creative. Mana was halfway through the second year of her performance degree at Wellington’s New Zealand School of Music when she received the call inviting her to…

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Instrument Bank recipient shares news from her musical travels across Europe
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Instrument Bank recipient shares news from her musical travels across Europe

Dear Sir Michael and Anne,  I wanted to give you an update on my European study and let you know where the Bergonzi violin is. I have been studying in Austria for 3 months now and it has been amazing. Attached is a photo of my violin class with our teacher Professor Vesna Stankovic, Concertmaster of the Volksoper Wien. I caught up with Ben Morrison recently for a lesson, it was great to see another kiwi over here! He…

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