Violinist Natalie Lin (23), of Auckland, will vie with 17
other semifinalists for prizes including $40,000 cash and a
winner's tour in the 2013 Michael Hill International Violin
Competition. Photo supplied.
Auckland violinist Natalie Lin has been named one of 18
semifinalists in the Queenstown-based Michael Hill
International Violin Competition for 2013, the first New
Zealander to make the grade in eight years.
In her application, the 23-year-old said, as a New Zealand
citizen, she wanted to perform among international talent
before her home audience.
''In doing so, I hope to inspire other young Kiwis to pursue
their own talents and dreams.''
A second New Zealand musician, Benjamin Morrison, was on
Friday named second alternate for the competition.
Morrison won the New Zealand Development Prize in 2011 and
will compete if two of the 18 cannot make the competition.
The semifinalists were selected by a panel from 125
applications representing 27 nationalities. A dozen
nationalities are represented among the 18
semifinalists:Arthur (Nikki) Chooi (Canada), Sarah Christian
(Germany), Dalia Dedinskaite (Lithuania), Ekaterina Frolova
(Russia), Ioana Goicea (Romania), Da Sol Jeong (Canada), Jae
Hyeong Lee (South Korea), Seul-A Lee (South Korea), Natalie
Lin (New Zealand), Boson Mo (Canada), Yu-Ah Ok (South Korea),
Sujin Park (Australia), Georg Pfirsch (Germany), Mari Poll
(Estonia), David Radzynski (United States), Eugenia Ryabinina
(Belgium), Stephen Tavani (US), and Yuqing Zhang (China).
Also announced were the winners of the two development prizes
- one for each side of the Tasman.
London-based violinist Benjamin Baker was awarded the New
Zealand Development Prize and James Dong is the Australian
Development Prize winner.
The Michael Hill International Violin Competition has been
held biennially since 2001. The competition takes place in
June 2013 with two rounds in Queenstown before six violinists
are selected for the third round in Auckland, and the top
three compete in the final.
The competition is judged by an international jury including
Christian Altenburger (Austria), James Ehnes (Canada), Ida
Kavafian (Armenia/US), Ning Feng (China), Dene Olding
(Australia), Helene Pohl (New Zealand), and Dmitry
Sitkovetsky (Russia).
The winner receives $40,000 cash, a recording on the Atoll
label and a 2014 winner's tour with Chamber
Music New Zealand, the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and
further performances, such as with the Harris Theatre,
Chicago.
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