Three outstanding young musicians awarded Dame Malvina Major Foundation Arts Excellence Awards

Three of New Zealand’s most promising young classical musicians have each been awarded $10,000 Arts Excellence Awards from the Dame Malvina Major Foundation, supporting their continued development as they take the next step in their professional music careers.

This year’s award recipients are:

• Henry Meng (piano): Henry will put his award towards the tuition fees for postgraduate education in piano performance at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York.
• Natania Ngawhau (trombone): Natania will put this award towards her tuition fees and costs associated with pursuing studies at the Manhattan School of Music where she will study for her Master of Music in Orchestral Performance.
• Ben van Leuven (clarinet): Ben will put his award towards study at the prestigious clarinet studio of Yehuda Gilad at the Colburn School in Los Angeles, where he will study for a Postgraduate Artist Diploma.

The three awardees were chosen through a highly competitive national application process, assessed by an expert panel of adjudicators who noted the exceptional calibre of applicants and the ambition each recipient showed to develop their artistry on the world stage.

“This year’s awardees each demonstrated not only musical excellence, but a clear sense of direction and deep commitment to their craft,” said Chair of the Foundation, David Jackson. “Their proposed study reflects the depth and diversity of classical talent emerging from across New Zealand, and we’re thrilled to support them at this pivotal stage in their careers.”

Dame Malvina Major said she was proud to see the Foundation continue to support excellence and opportunity through the programme.

“These young people are a reminder of the remarkable talent we have here in New Zealand,” said Dame Malvina.
“With the right support and encouragement, we can help them take their place on the world stage. These awards are one way we help make that possible.”

The Dame Malvina Major Foundation Arts Excellence Awards are open to young New Zealand singers and instrumentalists aged 18–30 who have undertaken a significant part of their training in New Zealand. More than 100 awards have been granted since the programme began, helping to launch the careers of many of New Zealand’s finest musicians.

The 2025 awards mark the first year of a revised national structure, offering three $10,000 awards to outstanding applicants across the country. Additional regional awards are offered in partnership with local committees – including the Nancy and Ron Grant Arts Excellence Award, awarded this month to Thomas Bedggood (violin) and Cecily Maccoll High Achiever Award, awarded to Graziana Micallef (piano).

Thanks to the Toi Foundation, the Dame Malvina Major Foundation Taranaki Committee offers funding opportunities to Taranaki youth involved in the performing arts twice a year, with applications closing on 31 March and 30 September. See here for details.

Left to right: Natania Ngawhau, Ben van Leuven and Henry Meng