Zoe Freisberg has taken out the 2016 Kendall National Violin Competition.
The coveted prize adds to her already impressive list of achievements which includes the 2016 Australian Classical Music Competition Travelling Scholarship.
She has also been selected as a finalist for the 2016 Freedman Fellowship.
Zoe won the prize from a field of four finalists, Yebin Yoo, Kyla Matsuura-Miller and Gemma Lee.
Competition spokesperson Mavis Barnes described Saturday’s performances as ‘lovely’.
“It was an excellent day and we had a good audience with all four finalists in top performance mode,” Ms Barnes said.
“The judges are all internationally-renowned standard.
“For her efforts Zoe wins the violin made by Michal Prokop from Australian timbers, she also won the Joan Ledy Memorial Award of $4000 which goes toward post-graduate studies and the $500 Peter Lee prize.”
Kayla took home the audience choice award of $500 and another $600 prize while Gemma won the best performance of Bach award. Yebbin won the Australian work prize.
“There was a great deal of enthusiasm for Saturday’s efforts by all four finalists,” said Ms Barnes.
“But the entire crowd was very supportive of the awards as they were presented. It was very interesting (the reaction), there was a deal of enthusiasm for all four finalists.”
While all eyes were on Saturday’s final, the Sunday concert was equally as impressive with solo performances and the chamber orchestra.
“It was a sell-out concert on the Sunday with well over 100 people attending the hall,” Mrs Barnes said.
“It was a great day’s performances.”
Zoe commenced her violin studies at the age of four under the direction of her mother, Helena Freisberg.
She completed her Bachelor of Music at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music with Michele Walsh in 2012 and is currently studying at the Australian National Academy of Music with Dr Robin Wilson. She has recently returned from an international masterclass course in Banff, Canada.
