Congratulations to Emma Huang!
During our final Performance Day for 2024 we showcased the musical achievements of advanced students with our Concerto Competition.
In this annual competition students competed for $1000 in prize money.
The adjudicator for the day, Carl Schmidt (pictured right below), an acclaimed pianist and Head of the Central Coast Conservatorium’s Piano Department, selected violinist Emma Huang (centre) as the winner of the 2024 concerto competition.
“I chose Emma for her confident, mature and elegant presentation of Bruch.”
We asked Emma about her musical journey at WollCon.
“WollCon has been a massive part of my music education, beginning with ChiME when I was in preschool, and, after inspiring me to learn the violin at the age of three, private violin lessons during primary school in my foundational years with Kyle Little. I have also been a part of the WollCon orchestral programs since kindergarten when I joined the Llewellyn Orchestra, followed by the Powell Orchestra and most recently, BSYO. In addition, I have attended theory lessons with John since primary school, as well as developing a close collaborative relationship with my piano accompanist, Jack.”
Her piece, the first movement of Bruch’s Violin Concerto No.1 was selected because she thinks it to be the perfect balance of soaring, lyrical melodies combined with darker, more intense sections.
“I love that the piece has a timeless charm, where the rich composing of Bruch allows both listeners and performers to discover something new about it every time.”
While she doesn’t plan on pursuing music as her only career, she hopes to still be heavily involved in music – both orchestrally through university orchestras and the Sydney Youth Orchestra, as well as through fostering a love for music in younger kids by teaching violin.
We look forward to having you back with us Emma mentoring our junior string students.
We thank and congratulate all our concerto participants:
Albert Au (piano and violin) who received a special mention for both his performances, Annabel Wouters (flute), Amelia Ma (violin), Caroline Wang (violin) and Matthew Expositio (violin).
Previous WollCon Concerto Winners:
Annabel Wouters (flute) – 2023
Cameron Carter (violin) – 2022
Hana Lee (violin) – 2021
Hana Lee (violin) – 2020
Peter Lavilles (bassoon) – 2019
Hayden Burge (bassoon) – 2018
Sarah Bradley (piano) – 2017
Siobhan Mewes (violin) – 2016
Siobhan Mewes (violin) & Adrian Whitehall (double bass) – 2015
Nicholas Zengoski (bassoon) – 2014
Hui Xu (piano) & Matthew Tsalidis (violin) – 2013
Siobhan Mewes (violin) – 2012
Rachel Chin (violin) – 2011
Header Image: ECA Performance 2024 | Music and Tea at Wollongong Art Gallery
Photographer: Chelsea Caligari.
