Six progress to next round

Pictured with Sir Michael Hill (centre) are the semifinalists progressing to the third round of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition. They are: Eunae Koh, of South Korea, Marie-Christine Klettner, of Austria, Natsumi Tsuboi, of Japan-United States, Canada's Timothy Chooi, Elly Suh, of the United States-South Korea, and Australia's Suyeon Kang. Photo by Simon Darby.

Six top performers have progressed to the third round of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition.

In Queenstown last night, a judges' secret ballot selected as their semifinalists Marie-Christine Klettner, of Austria; Natsumi Tsuboi, of Japan and the United States; Canada's Timothy Chooi; Eunae Koh, of South Korea; Elly Suh, of the United States and South Korea; and Australia's Suyeon Kang.

Chooi was the only male among the 18 competitors and is brother of 2013 winner Nikki Chooi.

South Korea's Jung Min Choi won the $2000 prize for the best performance of a specially commissioned New Zealand work, as part of the repertoire of the initial rounds.

The third semifinal round will be held at Auckland Town Hall's concert chamber tomorrow and Thursday.

Each semifinalist will perform a Beethoven piano trio with cellist Ashley Brown and pianist Michael Houstoun.

The last three will make Saturday night's final at the Auckland Town Hall.

The competition winner's prize is $40,000, an Atoll label recording contract, a professional development programme, a bespoke gown from Kiri Nathan or suit from Working Style, and a Michael Hill gold and diamond pendant from Christine Hill's Spirits Bay Collection.