Felicity Tomkins, Harry Grigg and Shuan Liu
Soprano Felicity Tomkins, tenor Harry Grigg and pianist Shuan Liu are the latest recipients of Dame Malvina Major Foundation Arts Excellence Awards for the Auckland/Waikato region.
Dame Malvina Major Foundation Auckland/Waikato Committee Chair James Harrison says every single applicant was impressive and exceptional in their own way.
“In the end though a few stood out as not only highly capable and hugely devoted to their craft, but also musicians with a particular generosity and heart in their performance.”
Felicity Tomkins, a former Dame Malvina Major Foundation Studio Artist with New Zealand Opera, has been awarded $5,000 towards her first year at the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. She says she is very encouraged to receive this award and all that it represents.
“This money will go a long way towards helping me meet the costs associated with living and studying overseas. As a New Zealander, I am very proud to have a strong and growing association with the Dame Malvina Major Foundation, particularly through my time as a Studio Artist. I feel that its focus on providing practical and meaningful assistance to developing young New Zealand artists is truly invaluable.”
Harry Grigg has been awarded $2,500 towards his studies at the Royal College of Music in London. He says he has been fortunate to receive the Foundation’s help over the past few years, most recently as a 2020 Dame Malvina Major Foundation Studio Artist with New Zealand Opera.
“This award is not only a great help to funding the next year of my studies, it also shows the Foundation’s faith in me. The positive effect of the Foundation can be seen in New Zealand and all over the world, so thank you so much to Dame Malvina and the Foundation.”
Shuan Liu has been awarded $2,500 towards an audition tour of Germany and says she is incredibly honoured to have the recognition and support of the Foundation.
“The news came as further inspiration for me to pursue my audition tour in Germany next year, and it will surely help me audition and travel with a lot less financial stress!
