2000
Stacey Dixon, oboe 
Two days after the National Youth Orchestra course in which Stacey won the NYO Special Prize, she moved to the United Kingdom to study for a postgraduate diploma in performance at the Royal College of Music. After graduation in July 2001 Stacey worked as a freelance musician in Britain for two years. She played regularly for orchestras in the south of England and Wales, with chamber ensembles Conchord, Celtaidd and her own wind quintet, Sirocco; and recorded for the BBC Singers with the contemporary ensemble Endymion. She was a finalist and prizewinner in the 2002 Royal Overseas League Music competitions, giving several solo recitals at
St Martin in the Fields and
St James's, Piccadilly. In September 2003 Stacey returned to New Zealand to take up a seven month contract playing cor anglais with the NZSO.
Rainer Gibbons, oboe
Since winning an Alex Lindsay Award in 2000, Rainer Gibbons has studied in Rotterdam and Zurich. Highlights of his time in Europe included two visits to Japan for Pacific Music Festival, and one year playing in the Schleswig Holstein Musik Festival in Salzau, Germany. Rainer is currently working on contract as principal oboe in the
Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.
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.
Kirsten Johnstone, flute
 Kirsten now plays flute and koauau for electronica musician Rhian Sheehan, whose second album comes out in April. They plan to tour in Europe this year following a successful Tour in 2003. She also manages Rhian Sheehan. Kirsten has worked in TV post production in the sound department, and is currently working at Concert FM.
Victoria Simonsen, cello
 A graduate of
Auckland University, Victoria Simonsen is now based in the U.K. and has established a busy concert schedule following her recent completion of postgraduate studies at the Royal Northern College of Music, studying with Ralph Kirshbaum and
Karine Georgian.
Most recently Victoria won the RNCM Gold Medal and Audience Prize and was selected for the Countess of Munster Musical Trust’s ‘Solo Artist’ Recital Scheme from which she will be represented for the ensuing two years. She is currently a member of the Stillman String Quartet, young-artists-in-residence at Salford University and established as one of the leading young ensembles in the North-West. She also received an invitation from Steven Isserlis to play at the
IMS Prussia Cove Open Chamber Music Session in September 2006.
Victoria has played in orchestras such as the Hallé,
BBC Philharmonic,
Pacific Music Festival (Japan) and as Guest Principal Cellist with Scottish Opera. She now works full-time with the Orchestra of Opera North, having been appointed Principal Cellist in 2006.
2001
Christiaan van der Zee, viola
At the end of 2001 I came to Detmold, Germany to commence my studies with Prof. Nobuko Imai. I studied with her in Detmold and one semester in Utrecht, Netherlands, before changing to Prof. Diemut Poppen this year. During this time I have taken part in Masterclasses with the Ayryn Quartet, the Guarneri Quartet, Simon Standage (baroque violin), as well as studying chamber music with several professors at the Music Hochschule. I have attended a Youth Orchestra course in Holland playing with conducters such as Jaap van Sweeden and Phillippe Herrewehge. Other orchestral activities include playing in the Detmold Chamber Orchestra, and the
Detmold Landestheater Orchestra among others.
Victoria Simonsen, cello
A graduate of
Auckland University, Victoria Simonsen is now based in the U.K. and has established a busy concert schedule following her recent completion of postgraduate studies at the Royal Northern College of Music, studying with Ralph Kirshbaum and
Karine Georgian.
Most recently Victoria won the RNCM Gold Medal and Audience Prize and was selected for the Countess of Munster Musical Trust’s ‘Solo Artist’ Recital Scheme from which she will be represented for the ensuing two years. She is currently a member of the Stillman String Quartet, young-artists-in-residence at Salford University and established as one of the leading young ensembles in the North-West. She also received an invitation from Steven Isserlis to play at the
IMS Prussia Cove Open Chamber Music Session in September 2006.
Victoria has played in orchestras such as the Hallé,
BBC Philharmonic,
Pacific Music Festival (Japan) and as Guest Principal Cellist with Scottish Opera. She now works full-time with the Orchestra of Opera North, having been appointed Principal Cellist in 2006.
2002
Joel Batson, percussion
In 2003 Joel received the Patricia Pratt Scholarship in musical performance from the NZVCC. This enabled him to pursue Master's study at the University of Miami under Dr. Ney Rosauro. In late 2003 he received an Alex Lindsay Award which has helped hugely with his living expenses and course-related costs. Miami is everything and more of what he expected it to be, with a vast conglomeration of societies and cultures combining at the University to create a unique musical environment to tap into.
Simeon Broom, violin
I live in Dusseldorf, Germany, where I study with Ida Bieler (Melos Quartet) at the
Robert Schumann Hochschule for Music. I have 3 more semesters to complete, after which I hope to continue my studies and undertake the Koncert Exam course with professor Bieler.
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.
Jane Kircher, bassoon
I studied at Victoria University with Preman Tilson and completed my BMus (Honours) in 2001. I was awarded the Patricia Pratt scholarship that same year and this allowed me to further my studies at the Manhattan School of Music in New York, where I completed a Master of Music majoring in Orchestral performance. My studies were with Whitney Crockett, principal bassoon of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. I am now the principal bassoon of the Auckland Philharmonia, a position I have held since June 2003.
Bede Williams, trumpet
Since receiving an Alex Lindsay Award in 2002 trumpet player Bede Williams has started his undergraduate study at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Studying with the support of an Associated Board Scholarship Bede has already performed as a soloist in London. In the northern hemisphere's summer he will be performing with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and plans to make a trip to Germany to have lessons with eminent German trumpet players
2003
James Andrewes, violin
Since being awarded the NZNYO Alex Lindsay memorial prize in 2003, James has returned to the
University of Oregon where he is completing a two year master's in music performance. The award money was put towards the cost of a new bow (Benoit Rolland), which he purchased early in 2004. Since then, James has been a winner of the university concerto competition, and is performing as a contract player with the Eugene Symphony Orchestra and other local orchestras. He hopes to return to New Zealand after completing his degree at the end of 2004.
Joel Batson, percussion
In 2003 Joel received the Patricia Pratt Scholarship in musical performance from the NZVCC. This enabled him to pursue Master's study at the University of Miami under Dr. Ney Rosauro. In late 2003 he received an Alex Lindsay Award which has helped hugely with his living expenses and course-related costs. Miami is everything and more of what he expected it to be, with a vast conglomeration of societies and cultures combining at the University to create a unique musical environment to tap into.
Julia Dibley, violin
I am currently studying towards a Post-graduate Diploma under Yuri Torchinsky at the Royal Northern College of Music. While at the Northern I have been one of four violinists selected to be placed on the Professional Experience Scheme with the Halle Orchestra. My string quartet won Second Prize in the Nossek String Quartet Competition and we have just returned from a week in Scotland where we were invited to attend the Nossek String Quartet Competition for Young Musicians. I have played in the Britten-Pears Orchestra as part of the Britten-Pears Young Artists Prgramme held in Aldeburgh and will be back there in June and August. Over the summer I will be attending the Netherland Youth Orchestra International Orchestral and Ensemble Academy.
Kerry Martin, violin
I have just got back from two months in snowy London where I had lessons from David Takeno, Felix Andrievski, Hu Kun, and Mateja Marinkovic. I completed a Masters of Music last year and am currently a teacher at The
Australian Institute of Music as part of their Young Musicians Programme. I am having lessons with Ms Alice Waten, and in July I will be coming to NZ to play the Beethoven Concerto with the
Christchurch Youth Orchestra. At the end of the year I will be giving some recitals in Christchurch performing, among other things, a piece written for me by NZ composer Patrick Shepherd. Later this month I have been invited to play with the European Chamber Orchestra for their concerts in Canberra and the Sydney Opera House, and in May my quartet will perform for the
Sydney Mozart Society.
2004
Megan Allison, violin
Megan grew up in the Wellington music scene, and having a passion for
orchestral playing, was a member of the Wellington Youth Orchestra since
age 11, National Youth Orchestra,
Wellington Sinfonia Orchestra and a
contract player with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. She has also performed as soloist with the Wellington Youth Orchestra, Victoria
University Orchestra, Wellington Chamber Orchestra and the
Manawatu Sinfonia.
She is now in her final year at the
San Francisco Conservatory of Music
studying toward a Masters Degree with acclaimed violinist Ian Swensen.
Living in the States has offered countless opportunities to both observe and
participate in wonderful music making; playing for visiting musicians such as
Gilbert Kalish, Mauricio Fuks, Robert Mann, Charles Castleman, Mark Sokol and
other fantastic faculty members has been beneficial and inspiring.
The money from the Alex Linsday Award will contribute to the costs of living in
the USA - Thank you!
Liam Mallett, flute
Liam Mallett is currently studying in the first of four semesters at the
Staatliche Hochschule für Musik
Freiburg, Germany, under the Swiss flautist Felix Renggli. This is the equivalent to a masters degree in New Zealand and follows on from the Bmus(hons) gained from the
University of Auckland.
The Alex Lindsay scholarship will go a long way to funding Liam's living expenses.
Blair Sinclair, trombone
Amanda Verner, viola
Violist Amanda Verner comes from a musical family and began studying music at the age of four. She has participated in numerous festivals and masterclasses, including Yuri Bashmet masterclass, Adam Summer School,and the Nelson Composers Workshop. Recently, she was principal violist of the 2004 NZSO National Youth Orchestra under the direction of Alasdair Neale. She is the 2004 winner of the Chicago Viola Society competition (USA). Currently she doing her undergraduate studying with Professor Kate Hamilton at Illinois State University. She is a founding member of the Aotearoa String Trio, which includes her brother, Antony and sister, Aleisha.
2005
Malavika Gopal, violin
Co-concertmaster of the NYO in 2005, Malavika is a University of Auckland graduate,
who commenced post-graduate studies at the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, in September 2005.
Having grown up in Wellington in the musical scene, Malavika went on to
pursue a career in music and in 2004 she completed her BMUS degree at The
University of Auckland with Mary O' Brien. In 2005 she formed a member of the
Post Graduate Quartet in residence "Amygdala" at Victoria University.
Malavika has appeared as soloist with The Auckland and Wellington Youth
orchestra's, Auckland University Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia and The
Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. She has also played in the Auckland
Philharmonia and Auckland Chamber Orchestra and In 2005 she was concert
master of the Wellington Youth Orchestra and Co-concert master of the
National Youth Orchestra.
In September 2005 , Malavika commenced her studies at New England
Conservatory in Boston, USA and since has been selected to play in the
Conservatory Chamber Orchestra and in the first concert she was a soloist.
She is currently studing with acclaimed violinist Masuko Ushioda and is
throughly enjoying her time at NEC and is benefiting greatly from the many
opportunities and fantastic musicians she is surrounded by.
The money from the Alex Lindsay Memorial Award is assisting with costs of
living in America. Thanks!!
Serenity Thurlow, viola
Serenity (Ngai Tahu, Ngati Porou) started violin at the age of five with the Suzuki Method and picked up the viola at fifteen. She was part of the specialist music programme at Burnside High school and has been a winner of the National Schools Chamber Music Competition. She has been the concertmaster of the Christchurch Youth Orchestra and the principal viola of the NZ National Youth Orchestra as well as being a member of the Christchurch Symphony and a casual player with the NZSO. She did an honours degree at the University of Canterbury with Jan Tawroscewicz and was part of the inaugural graduate ensemble, the Amygdala Quartet, at the New Zealand School of Music. She was a finalist in the 05/06 National Concerto Competition. Since 2006 she has been in Salzburg, Austria, studying with Peter Langgartner at the Mozarteum.
Bede Williams, trumpet
A winner of the Alex Lindsay NYO prize in 2002, Bede is completing an undergraduate degree at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music, and will commence post-graduate studies at the California Institute of the Arts in January, 2006.
Joy Liu, oboe
Winner of the NYO Prize in August, 2005
2006
Jennifer Banks, violin
 Jennifer started playing the violin at the age of four in Alexandra, New Zealand and completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Otago and the University of Toronto. She is now studying renowned violinist and teacher Miriam Fried at the New England Conservatory in Boston.
Jennifer has played concerti with the Southern Sinfonia for their 'Last Night of the Proms' in 2005, the Wellington Youth Orchestra, the New Zealand School of Music Orchestra and the University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra. In 2005 she was a violinist in the Amygdala quartet – the resident graduate string quartet at the New Zealand School of music, concertizing around New Zealand and the South Pacific. She has also lead the 2006 Banff Festival Chamber Orchestra and is a member of the highly acclaimed Gardner Museum Chamber Orchestra in Boston directed by Douglas Boyd and Paula Robison. Jennifer also played in the New Zealand Youth Orchestra for 4 years as well as being a list member of the Southern Sinfonia. Jennifer is also a violist, guitarist and singer and recently toured Eastern Europe and Russia with the award-winning Tower New Zealand Youth Choir.
Blythe Press, violin
Having been successful in a number of national competions, Blythe is already established as one of NZ's leading young violinists. In 2005 at age 16 and in his first year at the NZ school of music, Blythe was a joint winner of the school's concerto competition. In August the same year he attendend the Salzburg Summer Academy with internationally renowned violin teacher, Yair Kless, after which he was invited by Kless to study with him. Blythe moved to Austria to take up this opportunity, where he is currently completing his undergraduate degree with Yair Kless at the University of Music and dramatic Arts, Graz. To help fund his studies in Austria, Blythe has received, along with the Alex Lindsay award, grants from the Adam Foundation and Freemasons NZ, and an AMP scholarship.
Emma Richards, French horn
Emma completed her honours degree in french horn from Massey University in 2006. She is currently working as a free lance musician in Wellington and working at Radio New Zealand. In July she is attending the Banff Summer School in Canada and then going on to Toronto for some further horn study.
Annabella Leslie, double bass
Winner of the NYO Prize in August, 2006
2007
Paul Rah, cello
Paul Rah began cello studies in Dunedin and at 18, he commenced advanced
studies at the Conservatoire Supérieur et Académie de Musique in Sion,
Switzerland. Graduating in 2007, he will commence post-graduate studies in
Germany in 2008.
Annabella Leslie, double bass
 Currently completing a Bachelor of Music at the New Zealand School of
Music, Annabella has been playing the double bass since the age of
twelve. For the past two years she has travelled to Washington, DC
where she was accepted into the National Symphony Orchestra Summer
Music Institute, held at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Closer to home she has also participated in the Australian Youth
Orchestra National Music Camp, as well as completing her fifth season
in the NZSO National Youth Orchestra this year. In 2006 she was
awarded the Alex Lindsay Memorial Award NYO Special Prize. She plays
in the Christchurch Symphony, the Vector Wellington Orchestra and the
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra as a casual musician, and earlier this
year toured China as a member of the National Philharmonic Orchestra
of New Zealand.
Her ALMA money will help to fund an audition trip to the USA, where
she hopes to commence postgraduate studies in 2008.
Ingrid Bauer, harp
 Ingrid Bauer began learning the harp from NZSO harpist Carolyn Mills
at the age of 11. She holds a BMus in Performance Harp and a BA in
Philosophy from VUW, and at the end of 2007 received First Class
Honours in combined music and philosophy from the Australian National
University in Canberra, where she has been studying with Alice Giles.
Her plans for the immediate future include doing orchestral auditions
in the USA and Europe, and recording a CD with the Australian harp
septet SHE.
Barrett Hocking, trumpet
National Youth Orchestra Special Prize
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