Dame Malvina Major Foundation awards

Christchurch mezzo-soprano, dancer and chamber music trio win Dame Malvina Major Foundation awards

Five Christchurch performing artists have been recognised by the Dame Malvina Major Foundation for their talent and potential.

Mezzo-soprano Elisabeth Harris and dancer Joshua Guillemot-Rodgerson have each received 2016 Arts Excellence Awards worth $5,000, with the Herzog Klaviertrio recipients of the Cecily Maccoll High Achiever Award.

Winner of the recent Dame Malvina Major Foundation Christchurch Aria 2016, Elisabeth is a Master’s graduate from the New Zealand School of Music, and has been offered a scholarship and place at the Manhattan School of Music in New York.
Joshua is about to enter his third year studying Ballet and Contemporary Dance at The Julliard School in New York where he has also been selected as one of six choreographers to create a full length piece for the official Julliard show.

Chair of the Dame Malvina Major Foundation Christchurch Committee said both Elisabeth and Joshua have an artistic resume of qualifications that are testimony to the dedication and work ethic that they both share.

“The selection panel was most impressed by the quality and endorsement of their international referees. We have chosen two exceptionally gifted young people to further their ambitions in their chosen field.”

The Cecily Maccoll High Achiever Award, funded by a legacy from the late Cecily Maccoll, was given to The Herzog Klaviertrio – Selena Sun (violin), William Muir (cello) and Finn van Dorsser (piano) – who reached the finals of the New Zealand Chamber Music Contest in Auckland last weekend.

The Dame Malvina Major Foundation helps young New Zealanders in the performing arts achieve their potential by providing education and training opportunities. Dame Malvina Major said that the Foundation’s Arts Excellence Awards were all about fostering local talent and supporting the development of young emerging artists in their communities.

“Across the country, our hard-working committees – all volunteers – organise local events to showcase young artists and raise funds to be able to assist them through these Arts Excellence Awards.

“The Foundation is proud to help develop the huge potential of young artists like Elisabeth, Joshua, Selena, William and Finn. We will continue to follow and support their careers with great interest.”

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