Guest Artists In 2024
|
Grayson Masefield
|
Recognised as the world's leading accordion player, Grayson Masefield is a New Zealand born accordionist and is the first person to win World Championships in Classical, Virtuoso and Digital accordion categories. He is the Instrumental Music Teacher for Accordion at the University of Auckland, New Zealand and is the founder of AOTANGO.Born in Auckland, New Zealand, he studied in France with Frederic Deschamps, completed a Master in Specialised Music Performance at HEMU Lausanne, Switzerland with Stephane Chapuis, and a Masters of Studio Pedagogy from the University of Auckland.
He is regularly invited to adjudicate and/or appear as Guest Artist at international competitions he has previously won, CIA in Italy, China & Russia, CMA in USA & Portugal, Primus Ikaalinen in Finland and Roland International in Rome. At the 2010 Coupe Mondiale, Varaždin, Croatia, Grayson was elected to the prestigious CIA Music Committee and today is Vice-Chairman of the CIA Music Committee.
Over the years, Grayson has been invited to perform in many countries including France, Spain, Germany, UK, Portugal, Slovakia, Italy, USA, Canada, Russia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Portugal, China, Switzerland, Chile, Czech Republic, Singapore, South Korea, Austria, New Zealand, Australia, Finland.
Grayson has available a varied program of serious concert works as well as entertainment music. His extensive repertoire can be heard on his three albums as well as many live performances on youtube.
Grayson plays in many ensembles, in classical and contemporary styles and has been a soloist with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra (USA), the Orquesta Sinfonica de Chile (Santiago & Frutillar, Chile), the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne (Switzerland), Berliner Kammerorchester at the Chamber Music Hall of the Berlin Philharmonie (Germany), Civic Orchestra of Victoria (Canada), Calabrian Philharmonic Orchestra (Italy) and with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (New Zealand).
He has worked with several of the world's leading composers such as Frank Angelis (France), Gorka Hermosa (Spain), Petri Makkonen (Finland) and Gary Daverne (New Zealand) to perform and record new original works for the accordion.
He is regularly invited to adjudicate and/or appear as Guest Artist at international competitions he has previously won, CIA in Italy, China & Russia, CMA in USA & Portugal, Primus Ikaalinen in Finland and Roland International in Rome. At the 2010 Coupe Mondiale, Varaždin, Croatia, Grayson was elected to the prestigious CIA Music Committee and today is Vice-Chairman of the CIA Music Committee.
Over the years, Grayson has been invited to perform in many countries including France, Spain, Germany, UK, Portugal, Slovakia, Italy, USA, Canada, Russia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Portugal, China, Switzerland, Chile, Czech Republic, Singapore, South Korea, Austria, New Zealand, Australia, Finland.
Grayson has available a varied program of serious concert works as well as entertainment music. His extensive repertoire can be heard on his three albums as well as many live performances on youtube.
Grayson plays in many ensembles, in classical and contemporary styles and has been a soloist with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra (USA), the Orquesta Sinfonica de Chile (Santiago & Frutillar, Chile), the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne (Switzerland), Berliner Kammerorchester at the Chamber Music Hall of the Berlin Philharmonie (Germany), Civic Orchestra of Victoria (Canada), Calabrian Philharmonic Orchestra (Italy) and with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (New Zealand).
He has worked with several of the world's leading composers such as Frank Angelis (France), Gorka Hermosa (Spain), Petri Makkonen (Finland) and Gary Daverne (New Zealand) to perform and record new original works for the accordion.
|
Amalia Hall
|
Noted by The Strad for her “blazing insight and dazzling virtuosity”, New Zealand violinist Amalia Hall displays natural and dynamic versatility as a frequent soloist, as Concertmaster of Orchestra Wellington – a role she took in 2016, becoming New Zealand’s youngest concertmaster – and as the violinist of NZTrio, which has been described as “New Zealand’s most indispensable ensemble”.
Born and raised in New Zealand, Amalia began violin lessons at the age of 3. She completed her Bachelor of Music at the University of Auckland and at the age of 19 began postgraduate studies at the Curtis Institute of Music, studying under the tutelage of renowned violinists Pamela Frank and Joseph Silverstein.
Her numerous competition successes include laureate prizes at the Joseph Joachim International Violin Competition in Hannover, the International Violin Competition ‘Premio R. Lipizer’, the International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians, Premio Citta di Padova International Competition for Soloists and Orchestra, and the Kloster Schöntal International Violin Competition.
She won the Royal Overseas League Overseas Award and both 1st Prize and the overall prize at the Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition and has received the top prize at the Jeunesses International Music Competition Dinu Lipatti; 1st Prize at the Leos Janacek International Competition and the Postacchini International Violin Competition.
Since making her debut at the age of 9 with the Auckland Philharmonia, Amalia has been a regular soloist with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia, Orchestra Wellington, Auckland Symphony Orchestra, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Dunedin Symphony Orchestra and the Auckland Chamber Orchestra.
Amalia has been a soloist with orchestras in Europe including, Virtuosi Italiani, Munich Chamber Orchestra, NDR Radiophilharmonie, Brno Philharmonic Orchestra, Amadeus Polish Radio Chamber Orchestra, United Strings of Europe, the State Philharmonic of Sibiu and Filharmonica Marchigiana, and with the Mexico State Symphony Orchestra, Filarmónica de Querétaro, Filarmonica de Acapulco, Orquesta Sinfónica de Michoacán and Orquesta Filharmonía in Mexico. Performances have taken her to China, Germany, Scotland, England, France, Austria, South Africa, Vietnam, Mexico, Honduras, Argentina, USA and Australia among other countries.
She has performed chamber music throughout Europe and the US as a recitalist and has toured numerous times for Chamber Music New Zealand and her performances have been regularly broadcast on the Radio New Zealand Concert Programme. She has also taught and given masterclasses at institutions including the National Conservatory of Uzbekistan, Vicenza Conservatorio, Rossini Conservatorio and University of Veracruz Faculty of Music among others.
Amalia plays the Vincenzo Rugeri violin the "Baron Knoop" from c. 1700, generously on loan from a private benefactor.
Born and raised in New Zealand, Amalia began violin lessons at the age of 3. She completed her Bachelor of Music at the University of Auckland and at the age of 19 began postgraduate studies at the Curtis Institute of Music, studying under the tutelage of renowned violinists Pamela Frank and Joseph Silverstein.
Her numerous competition successes include laureate prizes at the Joseph Joachim International Violin Competition in Hannover, the International Violin Competition ‘Premio R. Lipizer’, the International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians, Premio Citta di Padova International Competition for Soloists and Orchestra, and the Kloster Schöntal International Violin Competition.
She won the Royal Overseas League Overseas Award and both 1st Prize and the overall prize at the Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition and has received the top prize at the Jeunesses International Music Competition Dinu Lipatti; 1st Prize at the Leos Janacek International Competition and the Postacchini International Violin Competition.
Since making her debut at the age of 9 with the Auckland Philharmonia, Amalia has been a regular soloist with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia, Orchestra Wellington, Auckland Symphony Orchestra, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Dunedin Symphony Orchestra and the Auckland Chamber Orchestra.
Amalia has been a soloist with orchestras in Europe including, Virtuosi Italiani, Munich Chamber Orchestra, NDR Radiophilharmonie, Brno Philharmonic Orchestra, Amadeus Polish Radio Chamber Orchestra, United Strings of Europe, the State Philharmonic of Sibiu and Filharmonica Marchigiana, and with the Mexico State Symphony Orchestra, Filarmónica de Querétaro, Filarmonica de Acapulco, Orquesta Sinfónica de Michoacán and Orquesta Filharmonía in Mexico. Performances have taken her to China, Germany, Scotland, England, France, Austria, South Africa, Vietnam, Mexico, Honduras, Argentina, USA and Australia among other countries.
She has performed chamber music throughout Europe and the US as a recitalist and has toured numerous times for Chamber Music New Zealand and her performances have been regularly broadcast on the Radio New Zealand Concert Programme. She has also taught and given masterclasses at institutions including the National Conservatory of Uzbekistan, Vicenza Conservatorio, Rossini Conservatorio and University of Veracruz Faculty of Music among others.
Amalia plays the Vincenzo Rugeri violin the "Baron Knoop" from c. 1700, generously on loan from a private benefactor.
|
Johnny Van Gend
|
Recently appointed as the Associate Concertmaster of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Johnny began playing the violin at the age of five in his hometown of Toowoomba, Australia. In 2013 he began lessons with Michele Walsh in Brisbane and in 2015 he began studying at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University with her.
During his time at the Conservatorium, Johnny won numerous competitions and was selected to play the Mendelssohn Concerto with the Queensland Conservatorium Orchestra. In 2017 he completed his Bachelor of Music with distinction and in 2018 he began studying at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) with Dr. Robin Wilson.
During his two years at ANAM, Johnny won the ANAM Concerto Competition, playing Bartok's Violin Concerto No. 2 with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, and was a finalist in the ANAM Chamber Music Competition.
He is a multiple prize winner and two-time finalist in the Kendall National Violin Competition and has played in public master classes with famous musicians such as Anne-Sophie Mutter.
Johnny has also been concertmaster of the ANAM Orchestra several times and has played regularly in projects with the Australian Youth Orchestra since 2012.
Since October 2019 he has been a master's student with Professor Esther Hoppe at the Mozarteum Salzburg and is also a member of the Orchestra Academy of the Bavarian State Orchestra.
During his time at the Conservatorium, Johnny won numerous competitions and was selected to play the Mendelssohn Concerto with the Queensland Conservatorium Orchestra. In 2017 he completed his Bachelor of Music with distinction and in 2018 he began studying at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) with Dr. Robin Wilson.
During his two years at ANAM, Johnny won the ANAM Concerto Competition, playing Bartok's Violin Concerto No. 2 with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, and was a finalist in the ANAM Chamber Music Competition.
He is a multiple prize winner and two-time finalist in the Kendall National Violin Competition and has played in public master classes with famous musicians such as Anne-Sophie Mutter.
Johnny has also been concertmaster of the ANAM Orchestra several times and has played regularly in projects with the Australian Youth Orchestra since 2012.
Since October 2019 he has been a master's student with Professor Esther Hoppe at the Mozarteum Salzburg and is also a member of the Orchestra Academy of the Bavarian State Orchestra.
|
Alexander McFarlane
|
New Zealand violinist Alexander is a versatile and dynamic performer, excelling in a wide range of styles from Renaissance through to contemporary music.
Alexander holds the position of Associate Principal Viola of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
In addition to playing with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Alex has performed with the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
Equally adept in solo, chamber, or orchestral settings, Alex has performed internationally in venues such as London's Wigmore Hall and Barbican Hall, Vienna's Musikverein, and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.
As a chamber musician, he has collaborated with such artists as Janine Jansen, Anthony Marwood, and the Doric String Quartet. He's also performed at festivals including Yellow Barn, “At the World’s Edge” Festival, the “Mendelssohn on Mull” Festival, and “Musique à Marsac” in France.
His competition successes include winning the 2018 Lorna Viol Memorial Prize, the ROSL Trophy for the most outstanding musician from overseas, and both the First Prize and Bach Prize at the 2017 Gisborne International Music Competition.
Under the guidance of Professor David Takeno, Alex completed his Master’s degree and Artist Diploma at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He's also played in masterclasses with artists including Tabea Zimmermann, Kim Kashkashian, and Lars Anders Tomter.
Alexander holds the position of Associate Principal Viola of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
In addition to playing with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Alex has performed with the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
Equally adept in solo, chamber, or orchestral settings, Alex has performed internationally in venues such as London's Wigmore Hall and Barbican Hall, Vienna's Musikverein, and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.
As a chamber musician, he has collaborated with such artists as Janine Jansen, Anthony Marwood, and the Doric String Quartet. He's also performed at festivals including Yellow Barn, “At the World’s Edge” Festival, the “Mendelssohn on Mull” Festival, and “Musique à Marsac” in France.
His competition successes include winning the 2018 Lorna Viol Memorial Prize, the ROSL Trophy for the most outstanding musician from overseas, and both the First Prize and Bach Prize at the 2017 Gisborne International Music Competition.
Under the guidance of Professor David Takeno, Alex completed his Master’s degree and Artist Diploma at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He's also played in masterclasses with artists including Tabea Zimmermann, Kim Kashkashian, and Lars Anders Tomter.
|
Rachel Siu
|
Described as "fearless" by Yo-Yo Ma in an interview with South China morning post, Australian born Rachel Siu has been making her mark all around the world. Rachel Siu started learning the cello at the age of five with Renat Yusupov. Her father was a loyal music lover, and curiously asked if she would be interested in a string instrument, and played a video recording of a Brandenburg Concerto by Bach. She picked the cello, simply because it was a large instrument.
Rachel recently completed her Master of Music degree under the tutelage of Joel Krosnick at The Juilliard School, where she was a Kovner Fellow, and a recipient of the William Schuman Commencement Prize.
Rachel is a member of LGT Young Soloists. She was a recipient of the Australian Music Foundation Nora Goodridge Young Artist Award and the American Australian Association Dame Joan Sutherland Award.
Rachel won the Gold Medal prize at the VIII David Popper International Cello Competition in Varpalota, Hungary and was the winner of The Juilliard School Concerto Competition in 2017, where she performed the Elgar Concerto with The Juilliard Orchestra.
She performed at Carnegie Hall for the first time when premiering the Julian Gargiulo’s Cello Sonata No.2 in 2019. She is a prizewinner of the IX Carlos Prieto International Cello Competition in Morelia, Mexico in 2019. This year, she was awarded an alumni award from the MLC School Sydney for outstanding international achievements.
Since debuting as a soloist at the age of seven at the Sydney Town Hall, Rachel has performed in Europe, Asia, America, and Australia, and has performed as a soloist with numerous orchestras, including the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, the Juilliard Orchestra, and LGT Young Soloists, working under the baton of conductors such as Thomas Adès, and Long Yu. She has performed in venues such as Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, Alice Tully Hall, Xinghai Concert Hall, Royal Albert Hall, and the Musikverein.
Rachel is an avid chamber musician, having performed frequently with her young piano trio in Sydney, after winning Australia’s National Musica Viva Chamber Music Competition in 2012. She has performed with many musicians, including Paul Neubauer, Glenn Dicterow, and Karen Dreyfus, and has coached with artists such as Emanuel Ax, Pamela Frank, Hsin-Yun Huang, Yo-Yo Ma, and Laurie Smukler. She is currently a member of Austraia's own renowned Streeton Trio.
Rachel is a passionate teacher and holds a position at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney.
Rachel recently completed her Master of Music degree under the tutelage of Joel Krosnick at The Juilliard School, where she was a Kovner Fellow, and a recipient of the William Schuman Commencement Prize.
Rachel is a member of LGT Young Soloists. She was a recipient of the Australian Music Foundation Nora Goodridge Young Artist Award and the American Australian Association Dame Joan Sutherland Award.
Rachel won the Gold Medal prize at the VIII David Popper International Cello Competition in Varpalota, Hungary and was the winner of The Juilliard School Concerto Competition in 2017, where she performed the Elgar Concerto with The Juilliard Orchestra.
She performed at Carnegie Hall for the first time when premiering the Julian Gargiulo’s Cello Sonata No.2 in 2019. She is a prizewinner of the IX Carlos Prieto International Cello Competition in Morelia, Mexico in 2019. This year, she was awarded an alumni award from the MLC School Sydney for outstanding international achievements.
Since debuting as a soloist at the age of seven at the Sydney Town Hall, Rachel has performed in Europe, Asia, America, and Australia, and has performed as a soloist with numerous orchestras, including the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, the Juilliard Orchestra, and LGT Young Soloists, working under the baton of conductors such as Thomas Adès, and Long Yu. She has performed in venues such as Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, Alice Tully Hall, Xinghai Concert Hall, Royal Albert Hall, and the Musikverein.
Rachel is an avid chamber musician, having performed frequently with her young piano trio in Sydney, after winning Australia’s National Musica Viva Chamber Music Competition in 2012. She has performed with many musicians, including Paul Neubauer, Glenn Dicterow, and Karen Dreyfus, and has coached with artists such as Emanuel Ax, Pamela Frank, Hsin-Yun Huang, Yo-Yo Ma, and Laurie Smukler. She is currently a member of Austraia's own renowned Streeton Trio.
Rachel is a passionate teacher and holds a position at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney.