NZer in semi-finals of international violin comp

New Zealander in semi-finals of international violin competition

Natalia Lomeiko is one of 18 international violinists, and the only New Zealander, to make the semi-finals of the 2003 Michael Hill International Violin Competition.

Born in Russia, Natalia moved with her family to Christchurch in 1996. Since that time she has made her mark on the New Zealand music scene, winning the Gisborne Music Competition and the New Zealand Concerto Competition, and in 2000 being awarded Young Musician of the Year.

Natalia has also established herself on the international stage. She has been a top prize winner in many prestigious international violin competitions including the Menuhin (England), Stradivari (Italy), Tchaikovsky (Russia), and Paganini (Italy) for which she won both first prize and the gold medal.

Since débuting with the Novosibirsk Symphony at the age of seven, Natalia has performed as soloist with such orchestras as the Royal Philharmonic under Yehudi Menuhin, the Philharmonia, the Singapore Symphony, New Zealand Symphony, Tokyo Royal Philharmonic and Nice Philharmonic. She has toured extensively as a soloist and chamber musician in Great Britain, Europe, Finland, Russia, Poland, the US, South America, Singapore and Japan.

The 18 semi-finalists in the Michael Hill International Violin Competition are all flown to Queenstown to compete in the first rounds of the competition beginning on Saturday 31 May. Six finalists will be announced on 2 June at the completion of the semi-finals. The top three finalists go through to the finals at the Auckland Town Hall on Friday 6 June (7.30pm); those placed 4th, 5th and 6th receive Honourable Awards and perform in recital in the Concert Chamber of the Auckland Town Hall on Thursday 5 June (7.30pm).

The competition jury, chaired by arts philanthropist and Auckland Philharmonia Vice-Patron James Wallace, is internationally representative and of extremely high calibre: Pierre Amoyal (France) – one of the greatest violinists in the world today Justine Cormack (New Zealand) – Auckland Philharmonia Concertmaster Miguel Harth-Bedoya (Peru/USA) – Associate Conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic; Music Director of the Fort Worth Symphony and Auckland Philharmonia Simon Morris (United Kingdom) – Managing Director of internationally renowned violin experts and dealers, J & A Beare Ltd Takako Nishizaki (Japan/Hong Kong) – leading international violinist and recording artist Dene Olding (Australia) – recognised as one of Australia’s most outstanding instrumentalists; Co-concertmaster of the Sydney Symphony Chad Smith (USA) – Artistic Planning Manager of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Hollywood Bowl

To celebrate the beginning of the 2003 Michael Hill International Violin Competition a Judges’ Concert, featuring a variety of solo and ensemble works by members of the jury, will be performed at 8pm on Friday 30 May in Memorial Hall, Queenstown.

All competition rounds and concerts are open to the public. Tickets to the Judges’ Concert and Semi-Finals are available from Ticketek, phone (03) 442 5151; tickets to the Honourable Awards Recital and Finals are available from Ticketek, phone (09) 307 5139.

The (biennial) Michael Hill International Violin Competition is managed by the Auckland Philharmonia.

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