This year we publicised the awards to all conservatoria in NSW, Queensland, Victoria and ACT, inviting applications for assistance from our foundation.
Applications closed on October 5 and our auditions took place on November 11. We had five finalists each to play a thirty-minute program for an independent artistic assessment panel of Professor Michael Brimer and Professor John Luxton.
We are pleased to announce this year’s award recipients are Leanne Jin and Annie Ma. The assessment panel was impressed by the very high level of the performances of both pianists. Their respective recitals established excellent technical and textural control from the outset, fine tonal graduation at all dynamic levels, with warm cantabile of the melodic lines, rhythmic, dynamic playing and a sure understanding of the architectural and musical direction of each work.
Leanne Jin
Leanne Jin is nineteen years old and currently completing a Bachelor of Music (Performance) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, studying with Natalia Ricci. She is planning a career as a concert pianist and chamber musician. She intends to apply the award towards international competitions and masterclasses next year in both the United States and Europe.
Leanne is also the 2018 Winner of the Theme & Variations Emerging Artists Series.
To see Leanne perform, please click this YouTube link
Annie Ma
Annie Ma is 19, currently completing a Bachelor of Music (Performance) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Annie also studies with Natalia Ricci. She plans to use her Theme and Variations Foundation Award to help her with her current studies at the Sydney Conservatorium and further her studies in Europe or the USA, and to assist in covering travel costs, competitions and audition and masterclass expenses in Australia and internationally.
To see Annie perform, please click this YouTube link
