These talented individuals have been recognised for their outstanding exams in 2023.
Each year, with the wonderful and generous contributions of our supporters, we are able to recognise some of our most outstanding exam performances across the year. Examiners nominate these superstars throughout the year, with final selection coming down to very tough decisions made by the our State Committee. Let's meet them now, drum roll please...
Fosters Music Award
for the most outstanding Candidate in North-West Tasmania goes to Anna Bosveld.
Anna achieved an A+ in her Piano (Comprehensive) Grade 7 exam with flying colours. Examiner, Jody Heald, provided some wonderful words of encouragement and recognition: "The TW was well known and promptly delivered. The program was very well prepared and presented. There is evidence of musical intelligence and sensitivity. Keep up the effort and obvious enjoyment!". Well done Anna and teacher, Lyn Loudon!
Thanks so much to Fosters Music for supporting this award.
Barratts Music Award
for the most outstanding Candidate in Northern Tasmania goes to Jada-Li Crossey.
Jada achieved an A+ in her Musical Theatre (Repertoire) Grade 5 exam and received some wonderful feedback from Examiner, Amanda Hodder: "Jada-Li, this was an excellent exam. You demonstrated exemplary connection to text and were always able to balance between sound and story telling. You have easy access across all your registers, and are already displaying a vast array of tonal colours and dynamics that are always connected to text and story. You are an incredibly strong actress. Legato line and phrasing are highly sophisticated throughout. This is a seriously excellent voice, with deeply developed musicianship. Well done - I really do look forward to hearing you again." Well done Jada-Li and teacher, Petrina Jahnz!
Thanks so much to Barratts Music for supporting this award.
McCann's Music Award
for the most outstanding Candidate in Southern Tasmania goes to Roman Adamczewski.
Roman scored an A+ in his Piano (Repertoire) Grade 6 exam and received high praise indeed. Examiner, Michael Power, commented on the quality of the exam: "Congratulations on an outstanding performance today, Roman. You demonstrated very clear understanding and intent for each of the genres presented in your recital. This was characterised by clean finger work at the keyboard, and musically informed and sensitive playing that communicated your joy for playing piano. Bravo!". Well done Roman and teacher, Tamara Coy!
A special thanks to McCann's Music for supporting this award and musicians throughout Hobart for many many years. We're saddened that this institution has closed its doors at the end of 2023 but that makes this particular award extra special.
Modern Musician Wind Award
for the most outstanding brass or woodwind Candidate in Tasmania goes to Julia Reid.
Julia achieved an A+ in her Flute (Comprehensive) Preliminary exam. Examiner, Marg Reid, was absolutely delighted by the exam and was clearly encouraging in her comments: "You play with a lovely strong tone. You performed your pieces with purpose and some nice musical ideas. Your dynamics were well executed for this level. Overall, a delightful exam!". Well done Julia and teacher, Julie Bennett!
Thanks so much to Modern Musician for supporting this award.
Modern Musician Rockschool Award
for the most outstanding Rockschool Candidate in Tasmania goes to Moses McGrath.
Moses achieved an outstanding score of 96% in his Rockschool Drums Grade 2 grade exam. Examiner, Hamish Houston, said "Your control of the instrument was well executed throughout, with excellent stylistic awareness and strong consistency of sound. A secure internal pulse was maintained, and all of the written music was accurately performed. Technical exercises were excellent. Sightreading and Ear Tests were perfect. Your musicianship was exceptional and highly convincing." Well done Moses and teacher, Matt Ives!
Thanks so much to Modern Musician for supporting this award (as well).
Hobart Guitar Society Award
for the best exam performance in Classical Guitar goes to Paul Vaughan.
Paul's Classical Guitar (Comprehensive) Grade 3 exam earnt him an A+ and this nomination. Examiner, David Malone's, comments were extremely encouraging: "Paul, this was very enjoyable program to hear. It was very well prepared and the fact that it was all presented by memory was a credit to you. You are well set up to tackle higher grades technically and your aural and sight reading skills are progressing well. I really enjoyed your sense of musical style and the expressiveness that you brought to the pieces. You have a good understanding of the music and conveyed it well in performance. Well done!". Well done Paul and teacher, Alan Welsh!
Thanks so much to the Hobart Guitar Society for supporting this award.
AUSTA String Award
for the most outstanding Diploma Candidate in strings goes to Emma Kositsin.
Emma achieved her AMusA in Violin in 2023. Examiners, Jody Heald and Nara Dennis, had this praise for her exam performance: "The programme was very well prepared with evidence of musical intelligence and technically the playing is developing well. The varying styles were well understood and conveyed convincingly." Well done Emma and teacher, Sarah Scheermeijer!
And an honourable mention for Dan Evans, whose students have now taken out this prize two years in a row.
Thanks so much to the Australian Strings Association (AUSTA) for supporting this prize.
AUSTA Tasmania Prize
for the most outstanding Candidate in strings goes to Clayton Low.
Clayton's Violin (Comprehensive) Grade 2 exam earnt him an A+ and this accolade. Examiner, Kate Calwell, had this praise for his exam performance: "Congratulations on a beautifully prepared and confidently performed exam, Clayton! It was lovely to see your relaxed posture and the ease with which you use the bow, shaping your melodies in a very musical way and producing a good tone quality. Well done!" Well done Clayton and teacher, Dan Evans!
And an honourable mention for Dan Evans, whose students have now taken out this prize two years in a row.
Thanks so much to AUSTA Tasmania for supporting this prize, and for the opportunity for Clayton to perform in concert soon.
Yamaha Music Award
for the most outstanding Candidate in Grade 4 Piano goes to Lucy Chenlu.
We hope that Lucy's A+ in her Piano (Repertoire) Grade 4 exam is a sign of more great music to come. Examiner, Michael Power, had this praise for Lucy: "Congratulations on an outstanding performance today, Lucy. You played with imagination and demonstrated strong technique at the keyboard. There is sincere joy in your playing. Well done!" Well done Lucy and teacher, Karen Clark!
Thanks so much to Yamaha Music for supporting this award.
TMTA Piano Award
for the most outstanding Candidate in Grade 7 Piano goes to Lace Kelly.
Lace achieved an A+ in her Piano (Comprehensive) Grade 7 exam. Examiner, Melissa Rogers, had plenty of nice things to say about Lace's exam: "There was a sense of calmness in your playing today, you were able to be present in the moment as well as carefully shape the architecture of each piece. Your understanding of stylistic elements was exceptionally realised today. You have a sense of command at the instrument which makes your performances captivating. I strongly encourage you as you further explore the joys of playing the piano." Well done Lace and teacher, Petrina Jahnz!
Another honourable mention goes to Petrina Jahnz, whose students also took out this prize two years in a row. We promise that we don't even look at who the teacher is when shortlisting recipients so all praise and credit is due to their fine work.
Thanks so much to the TMTA for supporting this award.
TMTA Theory Award
for the highest score in Theory or Musicianship Grade 5 goes to John Patrick.
Grade 5 is getting pretty challenging but John still managed to achieve his Theory of Music qualification with a very creditable score of 77. Well done John!
Thanks so much to the TMTA for supporting this award (too), and for honouring the legacy of Jennifer Filby.
AMEB Tasmania Teaching Award
This year, it's a TIE!
for the largest cohort of students achieving an A+ in their exam goes to Karen Clark and Tamara Coy.
This award was introduced in 2020 to specially acknowledge the work that goes on behind the scenes. If it weren't for the incredible teachers we're privileged to work with, none of the above would be possible. This year's worthy recipients are Karen and Tamara, both of whom had four of their candidates achieve an A+ in their piano exams. Well done Karen, Tamara, and all their students!
A special mention also goes to Karen Clark who is our first dual recipient of this award. To share the love, winners of this accolade are ineligible for the next two years but Karen has taken out both 2020, and now 2023!
We'll be featuring many of these award recipients, and our supporters, on our Facebook page as "Superstar Saturday" posts throughout the first few months of the year. These will include some fantastic words from them about their exam experience and the joy of performing.
To find out about our amazing supporters who make this possible, or to find out about these prize for a healthy dose of inspiration, please visit our Awards page.
