Concerto Competition Winner 2024

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.”

Anette Brown, Emma Huang and Carl Schmidt

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.”

Emma Huang

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.

Emma Huang

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).

Concerto Participants
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.

Sue is an accomplished and seasoned manager with a wealth of experience in government administration and community service delivery. With a strong background in strategic planning, organisational development, community engagement, project planning, and building strategic partnerships, Sue has consistently demonstrated her leadership and expertise and brings a wealth of knowledge to the board. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business focusing on Local Government and Creative Industries from the University of Wollongong, reflecting her commitment to public service and innovative leadership. Sue’s extensive career and dedication to community and social service make her a valuable asset, offering both strategic insight and practical experience to drive meaningful impact.

Anne has been a member of the Wollcon Board since 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from UNSW. She is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law and an accredited Mediator and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner. She has taught family law and other subjects at Wollongong University.

For a number of years she has been a subscriber to the Australian Chamber Orchestra which regularly performs in Wollongong . She has been passionate about music and in particular music education to children and adults.

Jake has worked in the disability sector for 24 years- 17 of these with Interchange and 7 years as their CEO. Jake is passionate about inclusion and equality for both people with disability and their carers.

He holds an MBA, Bachelor of Commerce, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, as well as completing Diploma’s in Case Management, Community Services Coordination and the AICD Company Directors Course.

Jake is also a committee member on the International Short Breaks Association Board and has been a Director on the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music Board since 2022.

Wayne is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors as well as being a qualified company secretary and accountant with over 35 years experience in banking and finance. He performed for nine of those years as Chief Executive of IMB Ltd, and the preceding seven years as Company Secretary and Chief Financial Officer, also with IMB. Wayne’s primary expertise is in the areas of governance, management, accounting, risk management and banking and finance. He has spent his whole life living in the Illawarra and is passionate about ensuring the Illawarra can provide the best possible opportunities and lifestyle for its residents. In 2024 Wayne was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for services to the community.

Dr Terumi Narushima is a senior lecturer and Music Discipline Leader at the University of Wollongong. She is a composer, performer and sound designer specialising in microtonal tuning systems. Her works include Tritriadic Chimes, a sound installation for LA MicroFest, Hidden Sidetracks, a composition for custom-made instruments premiered by Ensemble Offspring at Sydney Opera House, and a project to build microtonal flutes using 3D printing. She has worked on theatre collaborations which have been presented nationally and internationally, including Yasukichi Murakami: Through a Distant Lens, Lost in Shanghai, and The Story of Chi. She performs with microtonal ensemble Clocks and Clouds, and her book Microtonality and the Tuning Systems of Erv Wilson is published by Routledge.

Nicky is the CEO of Community Industry Group. She has degrees in Dementia Care, Community & Environment and Marketing, and a Grad Dip in Project Management. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an Honorary Fellow of UOW. In addition to Chairing the WollCon Board, she is Deputy Chair of the Regional Development Australia Illawarra Shoalhaven Board and an Independent Non-Executive Director of Warrigal, a large not-for-profit specialising in the provision of services for older people.

Her corporate governance and strategy experience extends through a 20+ year career on boards in the corporate, government and NFP sectors.