Australian Suyeon Kang has won the 2015 Michael Hill International Violin Competition.
Kang, 26, performed Sibelius' Concerto in D minor with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra in the finals of the prestigious competition at Auckland's Town Hall tonight.
Banking $40,000, a recording contract on the Atoll label, a personalised professional development programme, a bespoke gown from Kiri Nathan, and a gold and diamond pendant, she will also return to New Zealand in 2016 for an intensive performance tour across the country, presented in partnership with Chamber Music NZ and the APO.
"I'm totally amazed, I didn't expect it at all," Kang said. "The competition has been fantastic, so friendly and well run, and New Zealand so welcoming. I'm very grateful for the opportunity and look forward to returning next year for the winner's tour."
The initial rounds took place in Queenstown with pianists Diedre Irons and Sarah Watkins, from which six semi-finalists were selected to perform in round III - piano trios with cellist Ashley Brown and pianist Michael Houstoun - in Auckland.
The winners were selected through secret ballot by the international jury which this year comprised Pierre Amoyal (France / Switzerland), Sergiu Schwartz (Romania), Young Uck Kim (South Korea), Joseph Lin (USA), Susie Park (Australia), Helene Pohl (New Zealand) and Benjamin Schmid (Austria).
Semi-finalists travelled to New Zealand from South Korea, Canada, Poland, Taiwan, USA, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria and China.
South Korea's Eunae Koh came second receiving $10,000 and Canada's Timmy Chooi was placed third, for which he receives $5,000. Both, with Kang, performed with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra in tonight's finals. Koh also received the $2,000 Chamber Music Prize as the top performer in Round Three.
Fourth place was given to Japan's Natsumi Tsuboi who receives $3,000, South Korea's Elly Suh placed fifth receiving $2,000, and the sixth place-getter, Marie-Christine Klettner from Austria, receives $1,000.
The competition drew to a close tonight after more than a week of intense competition during which 18 semi-finalists from around the world performed.
