Having studied music for a year at the University of Otago before heading overseas, Murray is keen to share some of what she has learned with local audiences.
She will join forces with pianist and School of Performing Arts teaching fellow in piano accompaniment Tom McGrath, to present a recital this Saturday, from 7pm at Hanover Hall.
The programme will include Sibelius’ charming Five Pieces for Violin and Piano (Opus 81), Brahms’ Violin Sonata No. 1, and a new work developed by Murray in collaboration with Finnish composer Jaakko Kilpelainen.
Proceeds from the recital will go towards supporting Murray’s ongoing studies.
"I’m very excited to be performing for a home-town audience after spending the past few years overseas," Murray said.
"And it will be very nice to perform with Tom McGrath, who I played with often when I was studying here in Dunedin."
The works in the programme reflect the studies Murray has been undertaking at the Sibelius Academy, which she describes as a "fantastic place to study".
She is particularly pleased to be able to perform the work by Kilpelainen, who recently graduated with a masters in composition from the academy, and with whom she created the piece.
"The piece was premiered by another student, so Saturday’s recital will be my first chance to perform it for an audience, which is very exciting," she said.
Following her "summer" break, Murray will return to the Sibelius Academy to resume her studies towards a combined bachelor and masters degree in performance, which will take another two and a-half years.
She is studying as an EU student, as her grandmother is Finnish.
"Things are going very well at the academy, there are seven other violinists in my years, and it is a very supportive environment to study in," she said.
"I am very lucky to get to study with the amazing Cecilia Zilliacus, who flies in from Sweden every two weeks to teach."
Tickets for Saturday’s recital are available via humanitix or there will be door sales, cash only.
