Freedman Classical Fellowship Final Streamed On Melbourne Digital Concert Hall

The four finalists of the Music Trust’s Freedman Classical Fellowship, will perform before a live-streamed audience, on Melbourne Digital Concert Hall in their bid for the coveted, career-changing prize of $21,000.

This year three Victorian finalists Molly Collier-O’Boyle (viola) Kyla Matsuura-Miller (violin) Eliza Shephard (flute) and Will Hansen (double bass) from NSW, will be adjudicated by Penny Lomax, Tamara-Anna Cislowska and Véronique Serret.

Each Victorian finalist has graduated from ANAM (Australian National Academy of Music). A Melbourne icon, ANAM continues to produce exceptional young musicians from its programs each year. NSW finalist, Will Hanson, studied at the prestigious Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Conceived by Laurence Freedman AM and Dr Richard Letts AM, the Freedman Classical Fellowship is a substantial award offered annually to Australian classical musicians aged up to 30 years. Each nominee must submit recordings of their musical performance and a description of a career-building project which they will carry out with the support of the prize. The Freedman Classical Fellowships began 2001, and has since helped to establish the careers of some of Australia’s most distinguished classical artists. Past Fellows include luminaries Genevieve Lacey, William Barton, Joseph Tawadros, Claire Edwardes and Eugene Ughetti.

Live stream Digital Ticket: $20 (direct to artist) plus $4 credit card fees & streaming

FINALISTS AND THEIR PROJECTS

Molly Collier-O’Boyle (27) is Acting Assistant Principal Viola with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra as well as the violist in Rathdowne Quartet. Molly’s project Ephemerality is a curated concept album which will feature ten new works. An immersive concert experience will launch the album in the Old Richmond Power Station, with a guest performer and live reactive visuals projected through the space.

Will Hansen (24) is a young double bass player with a passion for contemporary classical music. He has performed alongside Ensemble Offspring, Ensemble Apex and the Australian String Quartet. Will’s project is to commission five new works for solo double bass by local composers which will be released alongside unrecorded recent commissions and modern works for solo double bass. A bespoke concert and masterclass tour across Australia will be undertaken to support the album release.

Kyla Matsuura-Miller (28) is Tokyo-born and Melbourne-raised. Currently working with Inventi Ensemble, Trio Clara and Duo Piaggio and Adam McMillan, she was, in 2017, an Emerging Artist with the Australian Chamber Orchestra. She has won numerous awards, and in 2022 will be the recipient of the Homophonic Pride Prize. “My project aims to express and evoke elements of the collective cultural memory of being raised non-white in Australia.” says Kyla. Three composers will be commissioned to write new works for solo violin, with optional electronics which will culminate in a live performance co-presented by Play On via YouTube..

Eliza Shephard (28) is a Wagga Wagga-born Melbourne-based flautist who strives to push the boundaries of her instrument. She was an ABC Young Performers Award semi-finalist in 2021. Eliza has toured nationally with Opera Australia’s regional touring program. She proposes to commission five flute duets from Australian composers for her project, “Each duet will pay homage to the relationships and training that I received from teachers that I have studied with.” says Eliza.” A book will be released, along with a YouTube video and a performance.”