AWE Emerging Artist Mentorship Pathway
More than just a stage for local and international talent, At the World’s Edge Festival is the nurturing of chamber music in our communities and in our future generations.
Applications are now open. See below for further details.
Delivered through a multi-year programme tailored to each individual, the AWE Emerging Artist Mentoring Pathway aims to grow exceptional young New Zealand musicians through their early careers, guiding and supporting these talented individuals to become the compelling artists they aspire to be.
Through side-by-side rehearsals, performance opportunities and coaching from Festival Artists during each October AWE Festival, the pathway supports our finest young musicians to develop their artistry and craft.
Performing a varied repertoire of works from the AWE Festival programme, each year the Emerging Artists also premiere the AWE Emerging Composer composition.
In addition to AWE Festival performances, the young artists tour to multiple schools in the festival region alongside Festival Artists and the AWE Education Leader, performing and presenting to a wide range of age groups from pre-school through to high-school.
With Emerging Artists ‘in-residence’ alongside the world-class team of Festival Artists, the young musicians have opportunities for growth and inspiration both on and off the instrument. They are welcome to observe all festival rehearsals and attend festival performances.
Having multiple chances to engage with Festival Artists outside the music-making realm is also an important aspect of the Emerging Artist Pathway. Communal dinners are shared each evening between all artists, giving rise to conversations that invariably provide the young artists further insight into who their mentors are and what their lives entail – not just as musicians but also as people. Such social opportunities are a valuable catalyst for the sharing of knowledge and the building of transformative and lasting professional career relationships and international pathways.
Through repeat invitations to participate in the festival and ongoing mentoring from AWE Festival Directors, the ultimate aim of the AWE Emerging Pathway is to meaningfully support our finest and most dedicated young musicians to successfully navigate their transition into the profession.
Significantly supporting the aims of our Emerging Artist Mentoring Pathway, from 2023 individual AWE Emerging Artists are considered for a ROSL Pettman Scholarship for Emerging New Zealand Musicians - facilitated by The Royal Over-Seas League in London, in partnership with AWE.
Only available to those within the AWE Emerging Artist Mentoring Pathway, this scholarship provides individual musicians with a significant professional development package, directly supporting their aspirations for study overseas.
“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to join the AWE Emerging Artist Pathway and highly recommend the programme to any other young musician who is passionate about a career in classical music. I loved the festival’s environment and atmosphere, and it felt welcoming, safe and comfortable. My overall festival experience has motivated me to think more deeply about my own musical identity and what I want to express with music.
It was so incredibly inspirational to work with festival artists, and getting to know them throughout the two weeks gave me such valuable insight into what it means to be a professional musician. It was also a treat to listen to the performances throughout the festival played by such amazing musicians from all around the world.” - Lorna Zhang, AWE 2023 Emerging Artist and 2024 ROSL Pettman Scholar
Call for Applications
2024 AWE Emerging Artist Mentorship Pathway
Application deadline: 15 May 2024
We are seeking young musicians on a committed path to becoming professional performers to join our 2024 AWE Emerging Artist Mentoring Pathway.
Open to violinists, violists, cellists and pianists 23 years of age or younger, two to four new Emerging Artists will be invited to participate during the 2024 AWE Festival.
2024 AWE Emerging Artists must be available to take up a two-week residency during the 2024 AWE Festival from 5-18 October 2024.
The Mentorship will involve side-by-side rehearsals and performances with AWE Festival Artists of programmed festival repertoire, both within the festival and subsequent school performances throughout the festival region, in addition to lessons, coachings, performance attendance and other mentoring activities.
All national travel and accommodation during the AWE 2024 Festival will be covered by the festival, evening meals will be provided and a daily per diem paid to contribute to other expenses.
Application process:
Applicants are to be 23 years or younger on 1 Oct 2024, be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and currently reside in NZ (or be available to return to NZ at their own cost for the AWE Residency).
Applicants must:
complete the online google form via the button below
provide 2 or 3 YouTube or Vimeo links to unedited video performances from within the past 12 months, totalling at least 15 minutes. Chosen performances can be either solo or collaborative and should best represent the applicants highest level of musical and technical ability.
Application deadline is 5pm on 15 May 2024.
The selection panel will consist of AWE Directors Benjamin Baker and Justine Cormack.
2024 Emerging Artists will be announced 1 June 2024.
Thank you to the Royal Over-Seas League and Williamson Foundation for Music for their support towards the AWE Emerging Artist Mentorship Pathway
ROSL Pettman Scholarship
for Emerging New Zealand Musicians
In Partnership with The Royal Over-Seas League
Facilitated by London’s Royal Over-seas League, ROSL Pettman Scholarships are designed to directly assist future study and career opportunities for emerging New Zealand musicians showing exceptional career promise.
With two awarded each year, individual scholarships valued at approx. $15,000 NZD cover the costs of international flights to and from the northern hemisphere, accommodation, food, tutoring, course and activity fees, and other related expenses.
From 2023, two individual recipients of the recently redesigned ROSL Pettman Scholarship are selected each year from the pool of AWE Emerging Artists. Selection will be based on the quality of AWE Emerging Artist performances and participation within the AWE Festival.
Once selected, Pettman Scholarship recipients will liaise with ROSL and AWE Directors to develop a tailored programme of overseas activities, with the aim of directly benefitting their future study and career opportunities. Assisting the building of valuable new academic and professional connections, Pettman Scholars will be supported to set up lessons, workshops and/or performances, and any other activities as most appropriate for their ongoing musical development.
AWE and ROSL are thrilled to announce the 2024 ROSL Pettman Scholarship Recipients
Violinist Lorna Zhang
Pianist Madeleine Xiao
Pictured above: Lorna Zhang and Madeleine Xiao performing in AWE Festival 2023.