ALMA Winners
Biographies

1991

Martin Riseley, violin

A graduate of Canterbury University, Martin continued his studies at the Julliard School from 1989-1991, graduating with a Master of Music, and in 1996, Doctorate of Musical Arts degree. Following a successful period as teaching fellow assisting Dorothy DeLay, soloist and concertmaster with several New York, Connecticut and New Jersey ensembles, Martin was appointed Concertmaster of the Edmonton Symphony in 1994, and has pursued a varied solo, chamber music, teaching and orchestral career. He has performed in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Britain, and most recently played as Guest Concertmaster with the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa for the 2002-2003 season.

Sam Konise, violin

Selena Barkle, bassoon

1992

Sarah McClelland, violin

After completing my Bachelor of Music with Jan Tawroscewicz at Canterbury University, I moved to Copenhagen, Denmark, where I studied with Professor Milan Vitek gaining a diploma from the Royal Danish Music Conservatory. I met Milan while touring with the Jeunesses Musicales World Orchestra of which I was concert master. I won an audition for a first violinist in the Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra where I have enjoyed working since. Am still very active in chamber music playing in the Arion String Quartet, Collegium Musicum, Copenhagen Festival Orchestra, Arken Ensemble and some more! Am married to the lead horn player in the DRSO and we have two beautiful girls aged 5 and 7. Am still so thankful for the support from home and not in the least, the Alex Lindsay Award.

Jonathon Baker, tuba

Jonathon Baker has been Principal Tuba in the Auckland Philharmonia since 1993 and he teaches at The University of Auckland School of Music. Jonathan is one of New Zealand's most sought after brass teachers and his students are regularly competition winners at National Brass Band Championships. Jonathan studied in Cleveland, Chicago and San Francisco and has successfully promoted teaching tours in New Zealand by some of the world's finest Tuba players.

Justine Cormack, violin

1982-89
Since receiving my Alex Lindsay Memorial award I have completed my Masters degree at San Francisco and also a Doctoral Degree at the State University of New York at Stony Brook (both in Performance Violin). I have spent more than seven years with the New Zealand Symphony (most recently as Sub-principal first violin) and from 2000 until mid-2004 I have been Concertmaster of the Auckland Philmarmonia. From July 2004 I will be taking up the position of 'Trio in Residence at the University of Auckland' as a member of the New Zealand Trio where we will be dividing our time between playing as a trio nationally and internationally and teaching.

Philip Foster, horn

I have been living in Sweden now for almost 10 years! I got a job in a wind quintet here in 1993 and in 1997 I won the principal horn job at the Gothenburg Opera where I am still employed today.

Robert Orr, oboe

1994 -
Robert Orr's 1992 Alex Lindsay Award helped him to undertake advanced studies at the Royal Academy of Music, London. After graduating from the RAM in 1994 he returned to take up the principal cor anglais position in the NZSO. Now principal oboe and in his 10th season with the NZSO some highlights of recent years include: appearing as soloist with the NZSO Chamber Orchestra in 2001, a Chamber Music NZ Celebrity Series tour in 2000 with pianist Richard Mapp (with whom he has an ongoing collaboration) and an International Arts Festival recital with Diedre Irons in 1998. Robert has also been an Artist teacher at Victoria University, Wellington since 1996.

Karen Batten, flute

After studying flute performance with Alexa Still at Victoria University, Karen went to the State University of New York at Stony Brook. She graduated with a Master of Music in 1993. She returned to Wellington and has established a busy freelance career. Karen is a member of the Wellington Sinfonia, the Central Band of the Royal NZ Air Force, is a casual player for the NZSO and is a member of the chamber music ensemble ETHOS.

1993

Bridget Douglas, flute

1997 -
After graduating with a B.Mus from Victoria University in 1993, Bridget continued her studies with Samuel Baron at SUNY Stony Brook (NY). Upon completion of a M.Mus she played with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago for their 1996-97 season before returning to NZ for a position in the NZSO, where she is now Principal Flute. Since 2001, Bridget has been performing with the flute and harp duo Flight, and she is a founding member of the contemporary music group Stroma.

Kathryn Owen, cello

Andrew Uren, clarinet

Since receiving his Bachelor of Music Performance with Honours under the direction of Peter Scholes at the University of Auckland, the Alex Lindsay Award enabled Andrew to pursue his passion in the Bass Clarinet and contemporary music in completing his post-graduate Uitvoerend Musicus (U.M.) at Sweelinck Conservatorium, Amsterdam, with bass clarinettist, Harry Sparnaay. Andrew has worked with Australia's premiere contemporary ensemble, Elision; is a founding member of the contemporary ensemble 175 East which was awarded the 2003 Citation for Services to New Zealand Music; performed as soloist with Stroma in the (09)03 Festival; and in late 2003 with his wife, Katherine Hebley, he recorded and performed Anthony Ritchie's Double Concerto for Cello and Bass Clarinet with the Auckland Chamber Orchestra. Andrew has directed clarinet choirs, wind ensembles and concert bands, as well as workshops and masterclasses at all levels for solo and ensemble playing and composition. Currently, Andrew tutors clarinet at the University of Auckland and is completing a post graduate Diploma in Teaching.

Vance Woolf, trumpet

1994

Mathew Fieldes, bass

I recently premiered a new concerto for electric and acoustic basses with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra at their 'Symphony under the Stars' concert in front of 30,000 people! I am currently living and freelancing in New York City. Further in formation available on my rock band's website, which is quasilulu.com

Jeremy Fitzsimons, percussion

Since receiving his Alex Lindsay Award in 1994, Jeremy completed his Bmus with first class honours at VUW (1995), Masters ('97) and Performance Certificate ('98) at Northwestern University in Chicago, and attended the LHS Marimba seminar ('97) and the Music Academy of the West ('98). On returning to NZ in '98, Jeremy continued working as first call casual percussion with the NZSO, and put much energy into his percussion group Strike ('93-'03). He has recently toured for Chamber Music New Zealand both as a duo with Bridget Douglas (flute) and concert tango group, Tango Virtuosi. He has recorded for the Morrison Music Trust label recently releasing a CD of John Psathas' works 'Fragments'. He is currently working with the NZSO, performing with Art-Rock group Verona, pursuing various chamber and solo projects and enjoys dancing argentine tango in his spare time.

1995

Ashley Brown, cello

Ashley studied at Canterbury University with Alexander Ivashkin, graduating Master of Music, and winning the TVNZ Young Musicians Competition and the CCMC National Concerto Competition. Following postgraduate studies with Aldo Parisot at Yale University and William Pleeth in London, he returned to NZ where he has performed as soloist, chamber musician and principal cellist in the Auckland Philharmonia. He has taught at the Universities of Waikato and Canterbury and now teaches at the University of Auckland where he and his New Zealand Trio colleagues are Ensemble in Residence.

Christopher Hutton, cello

Since winning an Alex Lindsay Award in 1995, Christopher Hutton completed Masters and Doctoral degrees in Cello Performance and Literature at the Eastman School of Music and went on to pursue a career as a teacher and a performer in the USA, first as a member of the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, Florida and then teaching at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the University of Delaware. Currently Assistant Professor of cello and coordinator of string chamber music at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, he also serves on the faculty of the Eastern Music Festival held each summer. He performs frequently, and has made three recital tours at home in New Zealand including premieres of works by composers Christopher Marshall and Helen Bowater.

Simone Madden-Grey, flute

After receiving the Alex Lindsay Award Simone went to the US to complete a Master of Music, studying with Jeanne Baxtresser. During that time she worked with the NZSO during her vacations and toured to Brisbane with the orchestra. She was also guest Principal with the NZCO, guest Co-Principal with Orquesta Sinfonica de Galicia, Spain and was on the sublist for the New World Symphony, USA. After completing her studies she moved to London and freelanced for two and a half years. During that time she was on the sublist for the London Philharmonic Orchestra and returned to the US to give masterclasses and lecture-recitals on New Zealand music for flute. She also gave concerts and taught in and around London. Now taking a break from performing Simone continues to live in London and is currently working for ABRSM Publishing Ltd.

Stephen Harker, percussion

Zane Saunders, bass

Zane Saunders left New Zealand in 1997 to pursue the study of double bass in Sydney. He has studied with Kees Boersma and Alex Henery, Principal and Co-Principal Bass of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. He also studied with Brett Berthold, the Principal of the Australian Opera & Ballet Orchestra and was offered a casual position in the AOBO in 2003. A highlight of this season was the final performance of Wagner's opera Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg, conducted by Simone Young. He is planning to undertake further study in the US in 2005

1996

Ben Hoadley, bassoon

I studied at the New England Conservatory in Boston (1998-2002) on a full scholarship and was the first wind player in over a decade to receive the Conservatory's highest award, the Artist Diploma. I also was a Fellowship student at Tanglewood. I spent three years (2000-2003) as principal bassoonist of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra and have played as a substitute in the Boston Symphony on several occasions, and with the New World Symphony in Florida. I currently teach bassoon at the Hartt School of Music (Univ. of Hartford) and am based in the New York area. Highlights have been performing as co-soloist with former BSO Concertmaster Joseph Silverstein and Detroit Symphony principal cellist Robert DeMaine in Haydn's Sinfonia Concertante with the Hartford Symphony, two recitals at Boston's Jordan Hall, a recital tour for the New York based Piatigorsky Foundation at the invitation of Piatigorsky's grandson and several recitals for radio. I am also fortunate to have performed chamber music with many wonderful musicians, among them flutist Paula Robison, clarinetist Todd Palmer, harpsichordist Kenneth Cooper, the Borromeo String Quartet and faculty of New England Conservatory. I was invited to play at the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival last summer and this summer I will play at the OK Mozart International Festival. I'll also perform works written for me by Gillian Whitehead, Edwin Carr and Soren Nils Eichberg at the International Double Reed Society Convention this year, in Melbourne.

Susan Fullerton-Smith, viola

Since receiving an Alex Lindsay Award in 1996, and two Creative New Zealand grants, I undertook postgraduate study in Munich at the Richard Strauss Konservatorium fur Musik, with teachers Michael Scheitzbach and Harolf Schlichtig While in Munich, I played with various new music groups and chamber ensembles On returning to New Zealand I played on contract with the NZSO and have continued playing casually with the orchestra since then.In 1999 I studied for a Masters of Music degree in performance with Patricia Pollett at the University of Queensland, and worked with the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra and various Brisbane ensembles. In 2001 I returned to New Zealand and have been playing regularly with the Wellington Sinfonia. I have been working in the advertising industry for 2 1/2 years and am about to start a new role at TMP Worldwide as Business Executive in the direct marketing field. I would like to thank the NZSO for the opportunity to study overseas and feel that the Alex Lindsay Award plays a vital part towards the development of young New Zealand musicians.

Benjamin Cooper, trumpet

In 1997: I auditioned at music schools around the East Coast of North America. I ended up choosing the Manhattan School of Music and spent two and a half years there doing a BM in Classical Trumpet Performance.In 2000: I went to CircoArts (circus school) at Christchurch Polytech. 2001: Training circus, specifically flying trapeze, in Australia. 2002: Worked and studied at Auckland Uni to finish BM then went to NY and France to do more flying trapeze. In 2003: I left France to continue with circus in Montreal, where I still am.

Julia Grenfell, flute

Since winning an Alex Lindsay Award in 1996, flutist Julia Grenfell spent five years studying and working in the United States. She completed a Masters at Northwestern University in Chicago, and then a Doctor of Musical Arts at Rice University in Houston. Julia has also held one-year positions with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (1998-99) and the San Antonio Symphony (1999-2000). She was permanently appointed Principal Piccolo of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra in 2001

1997

Isoa Chapman

Julie Platt, cello

After receiving the Alex Lindsay Memorial Award in 1997 while studying at Sweelinck Conservatorium in Amsterdam, Julie moved to the US to continue studies with Armenian cellist Suren Bagratuni. She is currently completing her Doctorate in Music Performance at Michigan State Univesity and, while writing her thesis, is living in New York where she works as a freelance musician and Artist Manager for Jonathan Wentworth Associates

Kirsten Eade, flute

I received one of the Awards in 1997 and used it towards my study in the United States. I was at the University of Michigan at the time and after receiving a Masters degree from there I went on to complete a doctorate in music at Rice University in Houston, Texas. I'm very happy to be a member of the NZSO now!

1998

Kate Goldstone, bassoon

Since winning the award in 1998 I completed my Master of Music degree at Indiana University in the United States. In May 2000 I returned to New Zealand to take up a contract with the Auckland Philharmonia as Associate Principal Bassoon. I played with the orchestra for two years before returning to Auckland University to study Biomedical Science last year with the intention of applying for medical school. I was accepted to Auckland Medical School and I am currently on my way to becoming a doctor.

Joseph Harrop, violin

Joe left New Zealand in 1998 to study at the Royal Academy of Music, graduating to his Masters of Music in 2000, gaining a mark of distinction for his dissertation on rhetoric and music. He is now completing a PhD in Music exploring the performance practice of the second violin in string quartets,and gives concerts in and around London on modern and baroque violin. Continuing his research in performance studies, Joe has recently been awarded a research fellowship at the Royal Academy of Music. He is a founding member of the Montague string quartet, and the baroque ensemble Musica Viva UK.

Martyn Hentschel, violin

Winning the Alex Lindsay Award in 1998 was a timely aid in meeting the cost of postgraduate studies which I commenced at the Australian Institute of Music in Sydney in 1999. My years studying with Alice Waten were an extremely rewarding time, during which I gained an incredible amount of knowledge about violin playing, violin teaching and performance. At the Institute I completed a Graduate Diploma in Music and a Master of Music with Distinction in Violin Performance. Currently I am dividing my time between playing for several Sydney orchestras and ensembles, teaching at the Australian Institute of Music and Wesley Institute and playing in the Esencia Quartet.

1999

Mok-hyun Gibson-Lane, cello

Moky has been studying with cellist Lynn Harrell for the past two years at Rice University. She has been principal of the Shepherd Symphony Orchestra and has given successful recitals at the school. Just last weekend she has made the finals of the Young Musician of the Year 2004 Competition to be held in Auckland with the Auckland Philharmonia on the 21st March.

Lara Hall, violin

Lara Hall is currently studying for a DMA in violin performance at the University of Michigan. While studying for this degree, she has performed chamber music with faculty members in the Ann Arbor Chamber Music series and in a Michigan Chamber Players concert and has performed in the Ann Arbor Early Music Society subscription series. Lara was a semi-finalist in the 2003 Michael Hill International Violin Competition.

Emma Barron, violin

A student of Jan Tawroszewicz at the University of Canterbury, I gained a Bachelor of Music degree with 1st class honours in 1998. Later that year I travelled to Lubeck, Germany to further my studies. I received an Alex Lindsay Memorial Award to help me fund the completion of post-grad violin studies at a private violin school outside Florence, Italy. After returning to New Zealand I moved to Wellington, being appointed to the 1st violin section of the NZSO in 2002. I enjoy chamber music and chamber ensemble playing, having performed in the NZ Chamber Orchestra, contemporary music group Stroma and the Chiesa Ensemble and also enjoy teaching, tutoring at the Queenstown Violin Summer School each January..

Mark Cookson, clarinet

I am living in London, freelancing, teaching and auditioning for any orchestral vacancies. After I finished my Masters degree at Northwestern University in Chicago I did a couple of very good music festivals - the National Orchestral Institute in Washington D.C. and the Pacific Music Festival in Sapporo, Japan. PMF especially was wonderful, doing things like the Rite of Spring with Charles Dutoit and players from the Vienna Philharmonic. Following this I was back in the southern hemisphere doing short term playing with Wellington Sinfonia and then the Queensland Philharmonic, but I have been in London for two and a half years now. Susie, my wife, is about to start a new job at Covent Garden, so it looks like we will be here for a while longer.