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AMALIA HALL Director & Violin
Noted by The Strad for her “blazing insight and dazzling virtuosity”, New Zealand violinist Amalia Hall displays natural and dynamic versatility as a frequent soloist, as Concertmaster of Orchestra Wellington – a role she took in 2016, becoming New Zealand’s youngest concertmaster – and as the violinist of NZTrio, which has been described as “New Zealand’s most indispensable ensemble”. Born and raised in New Zealand, Amalia began violin lessons at the age of 3 through the Suzuki Method, completing all 10 books at the age of 6. Later that year she started pursuing exams, beginning with Trinity Grade 5 with Distinction, which lead on to her achieving Trinity Grade 8 with Distinction at the age of 8. At the age of 19 Amalia began postgraduate studies at the Curtis Institute of Music, studying under the tutelage of renowned violinists Pamela Frank and Joseph Silverstein, while receiving chamber music coachings from distinguished artists such as Ida Kavafian, Shmuel Ashkenasi and Peter Wiley. Prior to this she completed her Bachelor of Music degree at the age of 19 at the University of Auckland, New Zealand studying with Dimitri Atanassov. Her numerous competition successes include laureate prizes at the Joseph Joachim International Violin Competition in Hannover, the International Violin Competition ‘Premio R. Lipizer’, the International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians, Premio Citta di Padova International Competition for Soloists and Orchestra, and the Kloster Schöntal International Violin Competition. She won the Royal Overseas League Overseas Award and both 1st Prize and the overall prize at the Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition, and has received the top prize at the Jeunesses International Music Competition Dinu Lipatti; 1st Prize at the Leos Janacek International Competition, the Postacchini International Violin Competition (and the ‘Absolute Winner’ Prize), the Gisborne International Music Competition (at the age of 16) as well as many special prizes at these competitions. Since making her debut at the age of 9 with the Auckland Philharmonia, Amalia has been a regular soloist with orchestras in New Zealand, including appearances with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia, Orchestra Wellington, Auckland Symphony Orchestra, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Chamber Orchestra, Waikato Symphony Orchestra and Saint Matthews Chamber Orchestra. She performed the world premiere of violin concertos by Claire Cowan and Michael Norris with Orchestra Wellington, under the baton of Marc Taddei. Amalia has been a soloist with orchestras in Europe including I Virtuosi Italiani, Munich Chamber Orchestra, NDR Radiophilharmonie, Brno Philharmonic Orchestra, Amadeus Polish Radio Chamber Orchestra, United Strings of Europe, the State Philharmonic of Sibiu and Filharmonica Marchigiana, and with the Mexico State Symphony Orchestra and Orquesta Filharmonía in Mexico. Performances have taken her to China, Germany, Scotland, England, France, Austria, South Africa, Vietnam, Mexico, USA and Australia among other countries. She was the first New Zealand classical musician to perform in Uzbekistan, when she made her debut with the National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan. On her second visit to Tashkent, she performed all 5 of the Mozart Violin Concertos in one concert. She has had collaborations with other artistic genres, including choreographed performances with the New Zealand Dance Company. She has performed chamber music throughout Europe and the US as a recitalist, a member of Curtis on Tour and member of the New Zealand Chamber Soloists, and she has appeared in Australia as a guest artist with the Southern Cross Soloists and the Australia Piano Quartet. Amalia has toured numerous times for Chamber Music New Zealand and her performances have been regularly broadcast on the Radio New Zealand Concert Programme. She has also appeared on WHYY On Stage at Curtis, the Good Morning TV Show, the Paul Holmes Show and Paul Henry Show. In 2014 Amalia was guest violinist with New Zealand Chamber Soloists and undertook a temporary position as violin and viola lecturer on the University of Waikato faculty, a position she also held in 2017 and returned to in 2019. She has also taught and given masterclasses at institutions including the National Conservatory of Uzbekistan, Vicenza Conservatorio, Rossini Conservatorio and University of Veracruz Faculty of Music among others. Amalia currently plays on a Vincenzo Rugeri violin from c. 1700, generously on loan from a private benefactor. “Amalia Hall had a particularly sweet tone.” The Strad Magazine “It was a magical performance by Amalia Hall who handled the demands effortlessly.” Elizabeth Kerr, Radio NZ Concert “Amalia Hall is turning heads on the national music scene and beyond.” William Dart, New Zealand Herald |