Nau mai, haere mai and welcome to the Dunedin Concerto Competition!
Launched in 2021, the Dunedin Concerto Competition stands as a beacon of opportunity for young classical musicians of Otago and Southland. Our mission is simple yet profound: to provide a platform for emerging talent to develop and showcase their performing skills. Since our inception, we have proudly hosted competitions in 2021, 2023 and 2025, with the fourth eagerly anticipated in 2027.
The Preliminary Rounds, have seen a growing number of participants, with as many as 30 talented individuals per competition and a record of 33 competitors in 2025. From these rounds, three finalists are selected, earning the prestigious opportunity to perform in the Finalists’ Concert alongside an orchestra.
In addition to the honour of participation, significant prizes were awarded in 2025. The first-place winner received $7,000, with $5,000 awarded for second place and $3,000 for third place. Furthermore, prizes were allocated to instrument categories, totalling around $5,000.
Our collaboration with the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra (DSO) and the Dunedin Youth Orchestra (DYO) has been pivotal in creating unforgettable musical experiences. These partnerships have allowed our finalists to shine on stage, accompanied by seasoned professionals, under the direction of esteemed conductors such as Peter Adams in 2021, Anthony Ritchie in 2023, and the Principal Guest Conductor of the DSO, Maestro James Judd in 2025.
In 2021, Rose Stevenson (violin) claimed the top prize, with Abhinath Berry (piano) and Boudewijn Keenan (cello) securing second and third place, respectively. In 2023, Boudewijn Keenan (cello) emerged as the winner, with Elio Oh (violin) and Cameron Monteath (piano) securing second and third place. In 2025, Ozan Biner-McGrath (piano) emerged as the winner, with Portia Bell (cello) second and Roy Zhang (piano) in third place. In 2021, a total of $12,900 and in 2023 $13,500 were awarded to category prize winners and finalists, respectively.
Distinguished New Zealand musicians such as Diedre Irons, Bridget Douglas, and Donald Maurice served as adjudicators in 2021, ensuring fairness and expertise in the evaluation process. Richard Mapp, Debbie Rawson, and Donald Maurice adjudicated the competition in 2023. In 2025, the adjudication panel featured Sam Jacobs, Principal Horn of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra; Monique Lapins, former Second Violinist of the New Zealand String Quartet and Lecturer at the New Zealand School of Music – Te Kōkī, Victoria University of Wellington; and Dr Jian Liu, Deputy Head of School, Head of Piano Studies, and Associate Professor at the New Zealand School of Music – Te Kōkī, Victoria University of Wellington
The Dunedin Concerto Competition would not be possible without the generous patronage of the HTowers Charitable Trust and the Bill and Clare Hodgson Bequest.
“On behalf of the HTowers Charitable Trust and Bill and Clare Hodgson Bequest, we are delighted to support the Dunedin Concerto Competition. The competition brings together and celebrates some of the finest young musical talent throughout the Southern region. We look forward to this wonderful opportunity.”
Bruce Hodgson
Patron, Dunedin Concerto Competition
As we look ahead to 2027, we invite you to join us in celebrating the finest young musical talent throughout Otago and Southland.
We extend our deepest condolences to the Hodgson family on the passing of Clare and Bill Hodgson in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Their unwavering support and patronage have been instrumental in the success of our competition.