2010 Jurors

KIM WALKER

The Dean of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Kim Walker, is one of the world’s most celebrated bassoonists, a prolific recording artist, and a respected performer, teacher and administrator.

Trained in the United States and then Switzerland, Professor Walker is an award-winning musician who has 23 solo recordings to her name and has toured extensively as an acclaimed artist since 1982. A sought-after soloist, she has performed with many of the world’s leading orchestras and worked with esteemed conductors such as Ashkenazy, Solti, Bernstein, Hickox, Rattle and Dorati. Her interest in both classical and modern composers has made her a regular guest at many of the world’s most prestigious festivals. She was the founding artistic director of the Archigny Music Festival in France and, before moving to Sydney, was Professor of Music at Indiana University School of Music as well as Director of Arts and Outreach in the office of the President. Driven by a profound interest in all the arts and a dedication to teaching, she gives frequent international master-classes and performances. Her students, prize winners themselves, have gone on to be leading players in orchestras around the world.

Kim joined the Sydney Conservatorium in July 2004 and has initiated one of the most ambitious concert and lecture programs ever held at the 95-year-old institution, collaborating with top musicians, ensembles and institutions from Australia and internationally.

DONALD ARMSTRONG

Born in Wellington, Donald Armstrong started early professional studies with the NZBC Orchestral Trainees (later the Schola Musica) and the NZ National Youth Orchestra. He participated in the 1975 World Tour of the NZ National Youth Orchestra giving concerts in Scotland, England and China. He joined the NZ Symphony Orchestra at the age of 19. Two years later, with an Arts Council Bursary and an Alex Lindsay Memorial Award Scholarship, he completed a post-graduate diploma at Mannes College, New York, and a Masters degree at the New England Conservatory in Boston, studying violin with Masuko Ushioda and Josef Gingold, and chamber music with Louis Krasner, Eugene Lehner and Laurence Lesser. As First Violin of the New England Conservatory Scholarship String Quartet, he won a special prize at the Concours International d’Évian held in France in 1982.

In 1983 Donald Armstrong was appointed Principal Second Violin of the Tivoli Sinfoniorkester in Denmark and soon after become Concertmaster of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Nice in France. He returned to New Zealand in 1987 as Associate Concertmaster of the NZSO, a position he still holds.

Donald Armstrong was Music Director of the NZ Chamber Orchestra from 1987 to 2004. His incisive leadership was a major force in creating the dynamic and exciting style of the NZCO heard both in live concert and on its many commercial recordings.

Donald Armstrong has appeared as soloist with the NZSO and made frequent solo appearances with the NZ Chamber Orchestra.. He has continued his passion for chamber orchestra repertoire and enjoys introducing musical challenges to musicians and audiences alike. He has conducted the Chamber Orchestra on occasion, and more recently has conducted other New Zealand orchestras including “Hot Young Strings” a string orchestra made up of talented young professionals and students from the NZ School of Music. He also performs regularly with his own chamber group, the Amici Ensemble, playing chamber works ranging from very small to large ensembles.

Donald Armstrong is interested in preserving and advancing New Zealand’s musical heritage and as an artist teacher at the New Zealand School of Music, he teaches, coaches and encourages young instrumentalists. He plays a violin by Nicolo Gagliano of 1754.