University of Waikato Conservatorium of Music Hall of Fame
National and International competition successes
University of Waikato Student successes (1999 to the present):
NZ National Concerto Competition:
1st place:
2017 Matthias Balzat (cello) (playing with NZSO)
2016 Sam Lucas (cello)
2014 Matthias Balzat (cello)
2013 Andrew Leathwick (piano)
2012 Santiago Canon Valencia (cello)
2010 Edward King (cello)
2nd place: 2017 Hyein Kim (cello)(playing with NZSO)
3rd place: 2014 Nathaniel Smorti (clarinet)
Beijing International Cello Competition:
Joint top prize: 2010 Santiago Canon Valencia (cello)
Gisborne International Instrumental Competition
1st place: 2012 Santiago Canon Valencia (cello). 2001, Eugene Lee (violin)
2nd place: 2015 Matthias Balzat (cello), 2013 Catherine Kwak (cello)
3rd place:, 2014 and 2013 Sam Lucas (cello), 2007 Edward King (cello)
Wallace Australasian Cello Competition
1st place: Matthias Balzat (cello)
NZ National Woodwind Competition
1st place 2012 Lauren Grout (flute)
Most Promising Flute Player 2011 Lauren Grout
Top Clarinetist 2012 Nathaniel Smorti
“Best New Zealand Work” 2012 Lauren Grout (flute)
Johanssen International String Competition
2nd place: 2012 Santiago Canon Valencia (cello)
Semifinalist: 2015 Catherine Kwak (cello)
Adam International Cello Competition
2009: “Best Performance of NZ work” and “Most Promising Young Cellist” Santiago Canon Valencia
Royal Overseas League Chamber Music International Scholarship Competition winners
2016 Aurelian Trio (Delvan Lin (piano), Matthias Balzat (cello), April Ju (violin))
2014 Quattro (4 cellos : Catherine Kwak, Sam Lucas, Alexander Arai-Swale, Jacky Siu)
2009 Leonari Trio (Maria Mo - piano, Hilary Hayes - violin, Edward King - cello)
Lexus Aria Competition (NZ’s top and longest-standing singing competition)
2nd place 2016 Filipe Manu
3rd place 2016 Madison Nonoa
Finalists 2016 Jarvis Dams, 2013 Julia Booth (soprano)
PACANZ Young Performer of the Year
1st place 2015Matthias Balzat (cello)2009 Hillary Hayes (violin)
2nd place 2013 Catherine Kwak (cello)
3rd place 2015 Brigitta Balzat (violin)
Most Promising Pianist 2006 Kwon Jin
Kerikeri International Piano Competition
2008 Maria Mo “Most Promising Pianist”
NZ Young Musician of the Year (has not run again since 2002)
2002 Winner Eugene Lee (violin)
2002 Semifinalist Flemming Kristensen (piano)
Lev Vlassenko Australasian Piano Competition
Semifinalist 2011 Andrew Leathwick
University of Waikato Concerto Competition Winners (performing with Opus Orchestra):
2006 Callum Hall Shostakovich Cello Concerto #1
2007 Jisun Kim Haydn Cello Concerto 1 in C major
2008 Maria Mo, Schumann Piano Concerto
2009 Edward King Shostakovich Cello Concerto # 1
2010 Rafaella Garlick-Grice, piano Saint-Saens Piano Concerto #5 Egytian
2011 Hannah Willemse Shostakovich Piano Concerto #2
2012 Andrew Leathwick Prokofiev Piano Concerto #3
2013 Nathaniel Smorti Weber Clarinet Concerto # 1
2014 Britta Balzat Vieuxtemps Violin Concerto #5
2015 Rachel Twyman
2016 Noelle Dannenbring Chopin Piano Concerto No 1 in E minor
University of Waikato Aria Competition Winners:
2014 Oriana Kershaw
2013 Jonathan Eyers
2012 Kayla Collingwood
2011 Jarvis Dams
2010 Chase Douglas
2009 June Dams
2008 Beverley Pullon
Creative and Performing Arts Person of the Year
Rachel Church 2001
Flemming Kristensen 2002
Julia Booth 2006
Jeremy Mayall
Edward King
Santiago Canon Valencia
Adam Maha
Andrew Leathwick
Chase Douglas
Catherine Kwak
Matthias Balzat
Individual Student Achievements:
Santiago Canon Valencia, cello (studied with James Tennant 2007 – 2012) Soloist Stream, B.Mus (Perf) 1st class hons, 2010-2012, Hillary Scholar:
Winner of 2011 Gisborne International Instrumental Competition (aged 16)
Winner of the 45th NZ National Concerto Competition (2012) (aged 16)
Joint winner of top prize in the 2010 Beijing International Music Competition (Cello) (aged 15, top prize shared with Alexander Ramm (aged 23) of the Moscow Conservatory, Russia)
“Best Performance of NZ work” and “Most Promising Young Cellist” in the 2009 Adam International Cello Competition (aged 13)
Second place in the 2012 Johanssen International String Competition, Washington DC (aged 16)
Hillary Scholar 2010 – 2012
Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship 2010 - 2012
Vice Chancellor’s List for Academic Excellence 2011 and 2012
Sir Edmund Hillary Medal 2012
Creative Person of the Year 2011
Many competition wins and finals since this including Pablo Casals International Cello Competition, Ginastera International Cello Competition and Tchaikovsky International Cello Competition.
Edward King, cello (2006-2011) B.Mus Hons (Perf) (First class), Soloist Stream 2010-2011:
Appointed Associate Principal Cello of Sydney Symphony Orchestra commencing 2017
Winner 44th NZ National Concerto Competition (2011)
Third place in 2007 Gisborne International Instrumental Competition
Beijing International Music Competition (Cello) 2010
Winner of 2009 Royal Overseas League International Chamber Music Scholarship Competition, as cellist of Leonari Piano Trio (UK Tour, 2010)
Winner of 2009 University of Waikato Concerto Competition
Principal Cellist of NZSO NYO 2008-2010
Contract work with the NZSO:
–as Associate Principal 2014, as tutti (occasional) 2009 - 2012
Hillary Scholarship 2006-2011
Sir Edmund Hillary Medal 2011
Creative Person of the Year 2008 & 2010
Kerby Music Bursary 2009
Patricia Pratt Scholarship in Musical Performance 2011
Sir Henry Cooper Memorial Scholarship 2011
-3rd Prize and Special Prize for Performance of Lutoslawski's Sacher Variations in the 2013 Witold Lutoslawski International Cello Competition
-3rd ex aqueo prize at the International Cello Competition in Markneukirchen
-Special prize from the International Penderecki Cello Competition in Crakow for interpretation of Penderecki's Divertimento - presented by Penderecki himself.
-3rd place ACA (Australian Cello Awards) 2014
-Master of Music (2012-2014) - University of Augsburg under Julius Berger (with 'Best note 1,0)
-Studied at the Berlin University of the Arts from 2014 – 16
-Appointed Assistant Principal cellist with Sydney Symphony Orchestra from Jan 2017
Matthias Balzat, cello (2014 -)
Winner (1st equal) 47th NZ National Concerto Competition (2014) aged 14 years. (first year at University of Waikato)
Winner PACANZ Young Performer of the Year 2016
Winner Wallace Australasian Cello Competition 2016
2nd place Gisborne International Instrumental Competition 2015
Winner 50th NZ National Concerto Competition 2017, playing with NZ Symphony Orchestra
Winner Royal Overseas League International Chamber Music Scholarship Competition 2016 (Aurelian Trio) (UK tour 2017)
Sir Edmund Hillary Medal 2017
Eugene Li, violin (2001-2002) B.Mus (Perf):
Winner of Gisborne Instrumental Competition 2001
Winner NZ Young Musician of the Year 2002
Andrew Leathwick, piano (2010-2014) M.Mus (Perf) 1st class hons:
Winner of 46th NZ National Concerto Competition, (2013)
Semifinalist in 2011 Lev Vlassenko Australasian Piano Competition, Brisbane, Australia.
Fifth place in the 2013 World Music Competition.
Winner 2012 University of Waikato Concerto Competition
Lili Kraus Piano Award 2011 and 2012
Norah Howell top academic scholar Award 2010, 2011, 2012
Hillary Scholar 2011-2014
Sir Edmund Hillary Medal 2013
Creative and Performing Arts Person of the Year 2013
Norah Howell Music Award for Academic Excellence three years runnng (2011, 2012, 2013);
Deans List of Academic Excellence X 4 (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014); Lili Kraus Piano Award X 2, for demonstrating outstanding commitment and artistic progress in piano studies (2011, 2012).
Lilburn Trust Composition Awards 2011, 2013 and Performance Prize 2012
Dame Malvina Major Foundation Greenlea Trust Award.
Master of Music First Class Honours 2014
Lauren Grout, flute (2010 – 2014) M.Mus (Perf)
Winner 2012 New Zealand National Woodwind Competition
Winner “Best New Zealand Work” in 2012 New Zealand Woodwind Competition
Winner “Most Promising Flute Player” award, 2011 New Zealand Woodwind Competition.
Runner up in Waikato University Concerto Competition 2014, 2012, 2011
Finalist in Waikato University Concerto Competition 2013
Finalist in Waikato University Chamber Music Competition 2014, 2013, 2012
Soloist with the University of Waikato Orchestra 2013
Principal flute with Opus Orchestra (regional touring) 2013
2013 Royal Overseas League International Chamber Music Scholarship Competition, with Balanae Trio
Soloist with the Cantando Choir 2013
Hillary Scholar 2013 – 2014
Performing Arts Blues Award 2013
Nathaniel Smorti, clarinet (2010 – 2014) M.Mus (Perf)
Winner 2013 University of Waikato Concerto Competition
Finalist in 47th NZ National Concerto Competition 2014 (performance of Weber Clarinet Concerto #1 with Christchurch Symphony Orchestra)
Top clarinetist in 2012 National Woodwind Competition
2nd place in the 2013 Sydney Eisteddfod Musica Viva Chamber Music Competition, Australia.
Soloist with TWSO playing Weber Clarinet Concerto #2, 2014
National Youth Orchestra 2014, E flat clarinet and 2nd clarinet.
FASS Dean's list for Academic Excellence, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014.
Royal Overseas League International Chamber Music Scholarship Competition 2011, 2012 and 2013
Hillary Scholar 2011 – 2014
Sir Edmund Hillary Medal 2014
Norah Howell Academic Award (one to top 2 academic scholars) 2010, 2011, 2012
Maria Mo, piano (2005-2010) M.Mus (Perf) 1st Class Hons, and PGDipMus:
Most Promising Young Pianist Kerikeri International Piano Competition 2008
Student Artist in Residence, Semaine International de Piano,
Hindemith Foundation, Blonay, Switzerland 2009
Winner of 2009 Royal Overseas League International Chamber Music Scholarship
Competition, as pianist of Leonari Piano Trio (UK Tour 2010)
Finalist in 2007 and 2008 Royal Overseas League International Chamber Music
Scholarship Competition in duo with cellist Edward King.
Winner 2007 University of Waikato Concerto Competition
Soloist with Opus Orchestra, regional tour, Schumann Concerto, 2007
Winner of 2007 University of Waikato Hillary Chamber Music Competition
Semifinalist 2008 NZ National Concerto Competition
Soloist with Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra 2008
Hillary Scholar 2006 – 2010
Sir Henry Cooper Memorial Scholarship 2010 for music study in Vienna.
Sir Edmund Hillary Medal 2010
University of Waikato Doctoral Scholarship 2018
Jeremy Mayall, composition (2007 – 2014)
Lilburn Trust awards..
Hillary Scholar
Sir Edmund Hillary Medal 2011
Creative and Performing Arts Person of the Year 2010 and 2011???
DMA 2014
Hannah Willemse, piano (2008 – 2011)
Winner 2011 University of Waikato Concerto Competition
Winner Hillary Chamber Music Competition 2009 (Shadow of the Hawk with Edward King)
Hillary Scholar 2010 - 2011
John Mansfield Thompson Scholarship 2009
Norah Howell top academic scholar Award 2009
Lili Kraus Piano Award 2008
FASS Honours / Postgraduate Diploma Award 2011
Winner Performance Prize in Lilburn Awards 2009 (Dodecaphonic Sounds by Jenny Spark)
Kayla Collingwood, mezzo soprano (2011 – 2014)
Winner of University of Waikato Aria Competition 2012
-Member of the NBR NZ Opera Chapman Tripp Chorus 2014
-Winner of mezzo-soprano test and NZ song categories of the Napier PACS competitions 2014 + awarded Music at the Muni Vocal Scholarship and Jill Tobin Studio of Voice Award
-Second regional prizewinner of the Maori Song category - NZ Aria 2013
-Recipient of University of Waikato Summer Research Scholarship 2012
-Recipient of University of Waikato School Leavers' Scholarship 2011
-Recipient of Kel Tremain Memorial Education Trust grant
Hilary Hayes – violin 2009
2009 Winner PACANZ National Young Performer of the Year Awards competition
2009 KBB Music National Performers Competition run by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra
2009 National winner - Pettman/ROSL International Chamber Music Scholarship Competition
Brigitte Balzat, violin 2013 - 2015
2015 3rd place PACANZ Young Musician of the Year
2015 Finalist ROSL International Chamber Music Scholarship Competition
2011, 2012 Winning group - National Finals Chamber Music New Zealand Competition (coached by James Tennant both years)
Flemming Kristensen, piano (1998-2002):
Semifinalist, NZ Young Musician of the Year 2002
Recipient of Pedagogical scholarship for study in Germany (see below)
2017 Appointed Head of Music Lindisfarne College
2013 to 2016 Doctorate studies at the Hochschule für Musik Würzburg. Parents, Teachers, and Mentors – How Guidance Works in the Acquisition of Musical Skills.
2012 Masters Degree in music pedagogy and musicology. University of Würzburg, Germany.
2011 „Deutschlandstipendium“ for high performing students.
2005 Diploma of Teaching (Music & German). Dunedin College of Education, Neuseeland.
2003 Baden-Württemberg Stipendium, Freiburg, Germany
2002 Academy Performance Scholarship. University of Waikato, Neuseeland.
Cultural Person of the Year. University of Waikato, Neuseeland.
Semifinalist New Zealand Young Musician of the Year
Winner of the University of Waikato Concerto Competition
2000 Lili Kraus Piano Scholarship. University of Waikato.
1999 Norah Howell Music Award. University of Waikato.
1999-2002 Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours. University of Waikato,
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Publications
Kristensen, F. (2013). Book review: McPherson, G., Davidson, J., Faulkner, R. Music In Our Lives; Rethinking Musical Ability, Development & Identity: Oxford University Press, 2012 in Jahrbuch der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Musikpsychologie, 23. Hogrefe, Göttingen.
Lehmann, A. C., Kristensen, F. (2014). „Persons in the Shadow“ Brought to Light: Parents, Teachers, and Mentors – How Guidance Works in the Acquisition of Musical Skills. Talent Development & Excellence. Vol. 6, No. 1. http://www.iratde.org/images/TDE/2014-1/05tde-2014-1-lehman.pdf
Alex Geary, violin (2012-2014, 2016) (teachers Lara Hall, [Amalia Hall – 2014]) B.Mus(Hons)Performance
Semifinalist in 50th NZ National Concerto Competition 2017
Finalist in the University of Waikato Concerto Competition 2013, 2014, 2016
Winner of the Te Awamutu Chamber Music Competition 2014
Lilburn Trust Composition Awards Merit Award 2012
National Youth Orchestra 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Hillary Scholar 2016
Front desk, 2nd violins, Opus Orchestra 2013/14/16
2012 Muriel May Scholarship
1st place 2014 TA Chamber Music Competition
Runner-up 2013 University of Waikato Concerto Competition
Compositions used in St Cecilia exam syllabus
Opus Orchestra 2012 - 2016
Callum Hall (cello) 2004 - 2007
Competitions:
Chamber Music New Zealand Contest – National finalist 2001 & 2002
Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra Young Artist Competition 2nd prize 2002
PACANZ 2nd place National Finals - 2005
Waikato Uni Concerto competition winner – 2006
Waikato Uni Creative and Performing Arts Person of the Year – 2006
Rotorua Recital Competition 2nd prize - 2006
Semifinalist National Concerto Competition 2007
Gisborne Competition - Semifinalist & NZ String Player Award -2007
Michigan State University Concerto Competition winner 2012
Orchestras:
National Youth Orchestra - first a member 1999 (age 14)
Australian Youth Orchestra - 2007
National Youth Orchestra principal cellist – 2007
MSU Symphony Orchestra principal cellist – 2008-2012
Opus Orchestra - acting principal cellist – Feb 2014
APO cello position 2016 –
Solos with Orchestra:
Opus Orchestra – 2007
Auckland Symphony Orchestra – 2008
MSU Symphony Orchestra - 2012
Scholarships:
Swedlund Bursary-2003 & 2004
Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation – 2005-2008
NZSO Scholarship to Australian Youth Orchestra – 2007
Patricia Pratt Scholarship – 2008
Royal Masonic Society – 2007 & 2008
MSU School of Music Scholarship 2009-2012
Ngaruaroha Martin, violin (2011-2013)
Won all the Whangarei local competitions, and the Chamber Music NZ competitions in Whangarei
2008 Soloist with Northland Sinfonia
2010 Soloist with Manukau Symphony Orchestra
2013 Soloist with St Matthews' Orchestra
2013 National Finalist - Pettman/ROSL
2013 String Recital Award Winner - Te Awamutu Competitions
2013 Most Promising Player Award - Te Awamutu Competiitons
Hillary Scholar 2011 - 2013
Adam Maha, 2010 – 2013 viola (with Lara Hall) and conducting (with James Tennant)
2011 and 2012 Principal Viola National Youth Orchestra
2013 National Finalist - Pettman/ROSL International Chamber Music Scholarship Competition.
Rehearsal conductor, Civic Choir
Internship conductor Opus Orchestra
Assistant Conductor, University of Waikato Orchestra
Amelia Taylor, violin, 2010 - 2013
2011 2nd place Sydney Concerto Competition, 4th place Sonata class Sydney Eisteddfod Eisteddfod
2012 Soloist with Bay of Plenty Symphonia
2012 2nd place Musica Viva Sydney Eisteddfod Chamber Music Competition
Numerous wins in Music Competitions in Hamilton, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, West Auckland