Category Archives: NEWS

Warmest congratulations to Andrew Clark (cello) on a first round offer to the  Australian Youth Orchestra National Music Camp 2025! Successful applicants in the highly competitive auditions for the AYO National Music Camp, will be inspired by tutors, artists and conductors of international standing, and experience music-making at an elite national level as part of a superb symphony or chamber orchestra. Bravo Andrew!

Michi and Oscar, the two Heart Strings Academy students who sat HSC Music 2 and Extension this year, have both received an HSC Music Encore nomination. Warmest congratulations to you both!

Congratulations Arlie and Jay on your outstanding AMEB exam results!
Arlie Bragg Cello Grade 7 A+
Jay Gates Cello Grade 8 A+
Both students began, and have continued their cello-learning journey all the way through with Heart Strings Academy. It is an honour and delight to watch them grow in skills and confidence. Bravo Arlie and Jay, and thank you parents for your wonderful support!

Tamworth Conservatorium of Music Shield for the Most Promising Instrumentalist – Andrew Clark, cello
1^st place, Open Mixed Instrumental Championship – Open Age
1^st place, Senior Mixed Instrumental Championship – 16 years and under
1^st place, Orchestral String Solo – Open Age
1^st place Orchestral String Solo  – 15 years and under
1^st place, Baroque Orchestral String Solo – Open Age/ Diploma Standard
1^st place, Romantic Orchestral String Solo – Open Age/ Diploma Standard
1^st place, Romantic Orchestral String Solo – Grade 7 & 8
1^st place, 20^th and 21^st Century Orchestral String Solo (Open Age/ Diploma)
1^st place, Orchestral String Duet, Trio or Quartet  – 18 years and under

Violin/ Viola – Junior Years K – 6   Raymond Wang
Violin/ Viola – Senior Years 7 – 12 Michi Takayama
Cello/ Double Bass Years K – 6 Phila Wang
Cello/ Double Bass Years 7 – 12 Arlie Bragg

FIRST PLACE awarded to Heart Strings Academy students in TWENTY-ONE OUT OF THE TOTAL TWENTY-FIVE competitive events entered:

1st place, NE String Championship AMEB Grade 4 or Equivalent
1st place, NE String Championship AMEB Grade 7-8 or Equivalent
1st place, NE String Championship Open, Perpetual Shield in Memory of Errol Russell
1st place,  Music Groups – Chamber Ensemble Years 9 – 12, Professor John Burton Memorial Shield

1st place,  Violin or Viola Solo, Open
1st place, Violin or Viola Solo, AMEB Grades 7-8 or Equivalent
1st place, Violin or Viola Solo, AMEB Grades 5-6 or Equivalent
1st place, Violin or Viola Solo, AMEB Grades 3-4 or Equivalent

1st place,  Cello or Double Bass Solo, AMEB Grades 7-8 or Equivalent
1st place,  Cello or Double Bass Solo, AMEB Grades 5-6 or Equivalent
1st place,  Cello or Double Bass Solo, AMEB Grades 3-4 or Equivalent
1st place, Cello or Double Bass Solo, AMEB Grade 2 & Under or Equivalent

1st place,  String Solo, Baroque or Classical AMEB Grades 7-8 or Equivalent
1st place,  String Solo, Baroque or Classical AMEB Grades 5-6 & Under or Equivalent
1st place, String Solo, Baroque or Classical AMEB Grade 2 & Under or Equivalent

1st place,  String Solo, Romantic Open
1st place,  String Solo, Romantic AMEB Grades 3-4 & or Equivalent
1st place,  String Solo, Romantic AMEB Grades 7–8 or Equivalent

1st place,  String Solo, 20^th/ 21^st Century AMEB Grades 7-8 or Equivalent
1st place,  String Solo, 20^th/ 21^st Century AMEB Grades 3-4 or Equivalent

1st place, Duet on any Stringed Instruments Years K-6

Congratulations ALL Heart Strings Academy student entrants. I’m so proud of the consistency of quality and maturity shown across all performances from our studio!

Congratulations Jennifer on a successful audition to Sydney Youth Orchestra Philharmonic in 2024, and Regional Scholarship award!

Congratulations Chiyo on a successful audition to the highly competitive, Australian Youth Orchestra National Music Camp 2024!

Congratulations Andrew and Elspeth on your 2023 HSC Encore Nominations! Andrew presented an outstanding Cello AMus level program for his Music 2/ Extension exam in Term 3 of this year. Elspeth presented a beautifully contrasting and expressive selection of music from advanced repertoire. Very proud of you both and your practice teams!