$20,000 has been distributed to five young performing artists in the 2014 DMMF Arts Excellence Awards by the Christchurch Regional Committee of the The Dame Malvina Major Foundation (DMMF), with matched funding from The Canterbury Community Trust. One further scholarship has been awarded under the auspices of DMMF.

Samuel Blakelock (24), a Christchurch jazz guitarist from Fendalton, has been awarded $3,000. Sam will be studying for a Master of Music in Jazz Studies majoring in Jazz Guitar at the City University of New York commencing September 2014. Sam completed his Bachelor of Music at the University of Canterbury in 2011 and was named as the ‘Highest Achieving Pacific Student’ in the College of Arts at UC in 2010.

Bryony Gibson-Cornish (21), a Christchurch violist from Avonhead, has been awarded $3,500. Bryony has completed her second year of her Master of Music degree at The Julliard School, New York and will be studying with the prestigious Scholastic Distinction Programme, as well as continuing her performance viola studies.

Andrew Grenon (29), tenor, has been awarded $5,000. Andrew has been offered a place at the Wales International Academy of Voice in Cardiff to study for a Master of Advanced Vocal Studies with WIAV Director Dennis O’Neill, commencing September 2014. Andrew is currently a Freemason’s Resident Artist with New Zealand Opera.

Marcus Norman (24), a Christchurch clarinet student from Fendalton, has been awarded $3,500. Marcus is studying for a Master of Music in clarinet performance at the Royal Northern College of Music. During his first year of study at RNCM Marcus won the Woods/Candlin first prize for woodwind excellence and has been selected as one of only three clarinet students to participate in the Cantiere Internazionale D’Arte di Montepluciano, Italy, the RNCM’s most prestigious orchestral performance platform.

Hugh Roberts (22), a Christchurch flautist from Somerfield, has been awarded $5,000. Hugh has completed his first year of study towards a Bachelor of Music at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

The DMMF Cecily Maccoll Scholarship

Harry Grigg (18), tenor, from Cheviot, North Canterbury, was awarded $1,000. Harry will begin his studies for a Bachelor of Music degree majoring in Vocal Performance in 2015.