The Artists at the world’s edge

A meeting of spectacular talent, a showcase of local and international musicians: our festival performers are the storytellers of the musical world, weaving us into the journey and sharing with us the most intimate moments of chamber music in New Zealand.

Festival Directors

After successfully launching the first At the World’s Edge Festival in 2021, Artistic Director Benjamin Baker and Festival Director Justine Cormack continued their work for the third annual Festival as both directors and performers.

Both celebrated violinists, Benjamin and Justine once again played alongside accomplished musicians handpicked from around the globe.

Benjamin Baker

AWE Artistic Director; Violin
NZ | UK

Described by the New York Times as bringing ‘virtuosity, refinement, and youthful exuberance’ to his Merkin Concert Hall debut, Benjamin has established a strong presence as a sought-after soloist and chamber musician both internationally and in New Zealand.

  • As a recording artist, Benjamin has soloed with the BBC Concert and Royal Philharmonic Orchestras, and released a critically acclaimed CD with pianist Daniel Lebhardt for Delphian in 2021. A further recording with Delphian is due for release in 2023. He also made several solo appearances during the 2021/2022 season with the Auckland Philharmonia, Fort Worth Symphony, and London Philharmonic Orchestras.

    In addition to winning first prize at the 2016 Young Concert Artists International Auditions in New York, Benjamin also won third prize at the Michael Hill Competition in New Zealand, was a prize winner at the YCAT International Auditions in 2013, and now makes regular appearances at Wigmore Hall and on BBC Radio 3.

    Recent highlights from his successful career also include his debut with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra at the East Neuk Festival and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra in New Zealand. In addition to his local performances, Benjamin has also performed at the Al Bustan Festival in Lebanon, the Sanguine Estate Music Festival in Australia, and has toured America, Colombia, China, and Argentina.

    Benjamin plays a 1694 Giovanni Grancino violin, on generous loan from a Charitable Trust.

Justine Cormack

AWE Festival Director; Violin
NZ

A staunch advocate for creativity within New Zealand’s Arts community, Justine actively supports and promotes creative communities both internationally and closer to home. A highly sought-after freelance violinist, Justine collaborates broadly as a soloist, chamber musician and guest concertmaster.

  • Through her creative performance coaching business, ListenFeelPlay, Justine supports musicians worldwide, encouraging them to maximise their performance success and optimise their musical enjoyment through insightful mind and body awareness.

    From 2002 to mid-2017, as a founding member and violinist of NZTrio, Justine performed throughout New Zealand, Australia, Asia, South America, the USA, Europe and Scandinavia. During this time, the group’s commitment and passion for promoting New Zealand music saw the commissioning and performing of close to 40 works from New Zealand composers, proudly showcasing these compositions within the trio’s diverse programmes on the national and global stage.

    Other career highlights include her role as concertmaster with the Auckland Philharmonia from 2000-2004, and as lecturer in violin at The University of Auckland following the completion of her Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from Stony Brook University, NY, in 2001.

    An active recording artist, Justine has soloed with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and released duo recordings with pianists Michael Houstoun and Sarah Watkins, in addition to a varied catalogue of award-winning releases with NZTrio.

    Justine plays an 1868 J.B.Vuillaume violin.

2023 Festival Artists

Ben Goldscheider

French Horn
UK

Nominated by the Barbican as an ECHO Rising Star for the 2021/22 season, Ben Goldscheider has given recitals at major concert halls across Europe including at the Concertgebouw, Musikverein, Pierre Boulez Saal, Elbphilharmonie and Koln Philharmonie and Wigmore Hall amongst others.

  • London born and raised, Ben completed his studies with honours at the Barenboim-Said Academy in Berlin with Radek Baborák in 2020. He soon went on to make his BBC Proms concerto debut in 2022, performing the Ethel Smyth Concerto for Horn and Violin with Elena Urioste and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Ben has also appeared as soloist with the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg, Aurora Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, English Chamber, Royal Philharmonic, London Mozart Players, Lucerne Symphony, Manchester Camerata, Prague Philharmonia and Sinfonie Orchester Berlin. He has also performed with the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sakari Oramo.

    A committed chamber musician, Ben has collaborated with Daniel Barenboim, Martha Argerich, Sergei Babyan, Elena Bashkirova, Sunwook Kim and Michael Volle at the Verbier, Salzburg, Jerusalem, Intonations (Berlin) and Barenboim (Buenos Aires) Festivals, among many others.

    Ben is a member of the Boulez Ensemble and has appeared as guest principal with the Staatskapelle Berlin, West-Eastern Divan, English Chamber and Philharmonia Orchestras.

Supported by Lesa Scholl

Vesa-Matti Leppänen

Violin
Finland | NZ

Born and raised in Finland, Vesa-Matti Leppänen is Concertmaster of the NZSO, a position he has held since 2002. Over the last 20 years, Leppänen has supported the orchestra to become globally renowned, both leading and soloing for its 2005 and 2010 international tours to Japan and Europe. He has performed several concertos with the NZSO, including works of leading New Zealand composers, and has also soloed with all the major orchestras of New Zealand.

  • Internationally, Leppänen has appeared as a soloist, chamber musician and concertmaster in Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Philippines and Scandinavia. He has performed as guest concertmaster for the Sydney and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras, Japan Philharmonic, Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, KBS Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, and Avanti! Chamber Orchestra.

    Leppänen’s career has been marked by a wide range of chamber music projects both in New Zealand and internationally. His most recent and long-term collaborations include contemporary music group Stroma and a piano trio with pianist Diedre Irons and Andrew Joyce, principal cellist of the NZSO.

    Leppänen plays a 1755 G.B. Guadagnini violin. This exceptional instrument was made available to him thanks to the wonderful generosity and support of Ainsley Walter, Mark Stewart, and the NZSO Foundation.

Supported by Ainsley Walter and Mark Stewart

Marike Kruup

AWE Education Leader; Violin
Estonia | UK

Marike Kruup is an accomplished Estonian violinist based in London, known for her captivating performances and dedication to music and music education. Her vibrant artistry and versatility have earned her recognition as a sought-after chamber musician in small and large ensembles around Europe, including as a founding member of the Estonian Festival Orchestra with conductor Paavo Järvi.

  • Another key part of her musical identity is the Alkyona String Quartet, which Marike joined in 2020. Current String Quartet Fellows at the Royal College of Music in London, the Quartet performs regularly around the UK and the Netherlands. In 2023, the Alkyonas were one of the ensembles in residence at the ANAM Quartetthaus Festival in Melbourne, alongside the Australian and Marmen String Quartets.

    Marike's musical journey began in Tallinn under the guidance of Mari Tampere-Bezrodny. Later, she moved to London to further her education at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal College of Music, completing her studies with Krzysztof Smietana and Radu Blidar.

    Beyond her performances, Marike is dedicated to pedagogy and carries on a family legacy of teaching. Since 2019, she has served as a faculty member at the Rachmaninov Music Academy in London, nurturing a talented class of violin students. She actively engages in educational projects to inspire and educate young musicians.

Jordan Bak

Viola
USA

Award-winning Jamaican-American violist Jordan Bak has achieved international acclaim as a trailblazing artist, praised for his radiant stage presence, dynamic interpretations and fearless power. Critics have described him as “an exciting new voice in Classical performance” and “a powerhouse musician, with a strong voice and compelling sound”, lauding his “haunting lyrical grace”.

  • Bak’s enthusiastically-received debut album IMPULSE (Bright Shiny Things) was released in May 2022, garnering over one million streams on major digital media platforms and featuring new compositions by Tyson Gholston Davis, Toshio Hosokawa, Anne Leilehua Lanzilotti, Quinn Mason, Jeffrey Mumford, and Joan Tower.

    Bak has appeared as soloist with such orchestras as Sarasota Orchestra, London Mozart Players, New York Classical Players, and Lexington Philharmonic among others. As a recitalist and chamber musician, he has performed in such venues as Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, Jordan Hall, Elgar Concert Hall, and Helsinki Musiikkitalo. He is further looking forward to upcoming concerts at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, at the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival in Germany, and at the Lichfield Festival in England.

    Recent accolades include being named one of ClassicFM's "30 Under 30" Rising Stars, Musical America’s New Artist of the Month and a featured artist for WQXR’s inaugural Artist Propulsion Lab.

Supported by AWE Music Foundation

Tobias Breider

Viola
Germany | Australia

Tobias Breider is Principal Viola of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. As one of Australia’s most sought after viola players and chamber musicians, Tobias regularly collaborates with Australia's finest musicians and ensembles, such as the Australia Ensemble, Selby&Friends, Ensemble Q and Melbourne Chamber Orchestra.

  • As a soloist, Tobias has performed at the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Domain, Parramatta Park, Sydney City Recital Hall and Sydney Town Hall. Further solo appearances include performances at the MRC Melbourne and Griffith University Brisbane. Tobias especially enjoys more intimate recitals in smaller venues or private homes, and teaches viola privately in Sydney.

    Every year, Tobias performs at the Sanguine Estate and Bendigo Chamber Music Festivals. He has appeared at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, Coriole and UKARIA24, and has been invited to festivals in the US, Germany, Austria, the UK and South Africa. Locally, he has toured Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales.

Alice Neary

Cello
UK

Alice enjoys a varied performing career as a chamber musician, soloist and as principal cellist of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Her festival performances include BBC Proms chamber series, Malboro, Bath International, Santa Fe and Lofoten Music Festivals. Recent performances include Strauss Don Quixote and the IMS 50th Anniversary Concert at Wigmore Hall.  

  • As a member of the Gould Piano Trio from 2001 to 2018, Alice performed the complete piano trio of Beethoven, Schubert and Dvorak at Wigmore Hall, has commissioned new works from Sir James MacMillan and Mark Simpson, has over 25 CD releases and has toured the USA regularly.

    Alice has appeared as guest cellist with numerous groups including the Nash Ensemble, Ensemble 360 and the Endellion, Elias and Heath quartets. Regular visits to IMS at Prussia Cove provide ongoing inspiration. Alice has benefitted hugely from her association with the Royal Over-Seas League since winning the String Prize in 1996, including a tour of New Zealand in 2011. Future plans include a cycle of Beethoven Sonatas with Viv McLean, and a return visit to Marlboro Festival.

    Alice has tutored cello at the RNCM and RCM, and is now based in her home town of Cardiff at the RWCMD where she was awarded a Fellowship in 2015. Alice is also a mentor for ChamberStudio. She and her husband, David Adams founded the Penarth Chamber Music Festival in 2014.

    Alice plays a cello by Alessandro Gagliano of 1710.

Supported by the Royal Over-Seas League

Rolf Gjelsten

Cello
USA | NZ

Rolf Gjelsten’s musical journey began in his hometown of Victoria, Canada, with Norwegian folk-dancing parents and accordion-playing sisters. At a young age he became an accomplished accordionist, before taking up the cello at 13 years old. Later at 22 years, he became the youngest member of the Berlin Symphony Orchestra.

  • Rolf later returned to North America to work with Zara Nelsova and members of the La Salle, Hungarian, Vermeer, Cleveland and Emerson string quartets. As a member of the Laurentian Quartet for almost a decade, he toured internationally and taught cello at Sarah Lawrence College in New York. During this time he was also a member of the New York Piano Trio.

    Rolf furthered his studies at Rutgers University alongside the Pablo Casals protégé and Beaux Arts Trio cellist, Bernhard Greenhouse. It was here he received his doctoral degree in cello. He has performed with many eminent artists, such as Menahem Pressler, Anton Kuerti, Piers Lane, Alexander Longuich, Tasmin Little, Nobuko Imai, Gervaise de Peyer and the Tokyo, Prazak, and Jerusalem Quartets.

    Rolf joined the New Zealand String Quartet in May 1994. In 2014 he was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for his outstanding services to music in New Zealand.

    Rolf plays a Francesco Goffriller cello made in Venice in 1705.

Jian Liu

Piano
China | NZ

An internationally celebrated concert pianist, chamber musician and educator, Dr Jian Liu has performed and taught throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. His artistry has taken him to some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls, including Carnegie Hall and the Lincoln Center.

  • Jian has released many solo and chamber albums in New Zealand and the US, and his performances have been broadcast by various TV and radio stations including KPHO public radio (USA), CCTV (China), Suisse Romande Radio (Switzerland), Krakow Radio (Poland), Kan Radio (Israel) and Radio New Zealand.

    Having premiered and recorded many New Zealand compositions, Dr Liu is also a champion for New Zealand music. In 2022, he collaborated with Shanghai Music Publishing House to edit and publish two volumes of New Zealand Piano Works, which mark the first publication of New Zealand music in China. The project has been awarded the Creative New Zealand Arts Grants.

    Dr Liu is currently the Programme Director of Classical Performance and Head of Piano Studies at New Zealand School of Music. Dr Liu studied with Professor Jin Zhang and Dr Caio Pagano. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Yale School of Music, where he was a student and assistant of Professor Claude Frank.

AWE Fellows & 2023 ROSL Pettman Scholars

An extension of our AWE Emerging Artist Mentoring Pathway, AWE Fellows returned to perform as Festival Artists within the programme. Our 2023 Fellows have both been awarded ROSL Pettman Scholarships, a new opportunity through AWE in partnership with London’s Royal Over-seas League, designed to assist future study and career opportunities for emerging NZ musicians showing exceptional career promise. Find out more about the scholarship here.

Jack Moyer

Cello
NZ

Jack Moyer is a young cellist based in Pōneke, Wellington. As a talented chamber musician, Jack has toured New Zealand with the Amici Ensemble for Chamber Music New Zealand’s ‘Another Night in Vienna’ tour and was part of Ravelation, the overall winner of the 2020 NZCT Chamber Music Contest. He is currently studying with NZSQ cellist Rolf Gjelsten.

  • Jack attended the Adam Summer School from 2019 - 2023, where he received chamber music coaching from the NZSQ. As an orchestral musician, Jack has enjoyed playing Principal Cello of both the NZSO National Youth Orchestra and the Wellington Youth Orchestra. Jack has played as a casual member of Orchestra Wellington and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

    Jack is thrilled to be attending the T the World’s Edge Festival again after participating as an AWE Emerging Artist since its inaugural year. Through his association with AWE, he has been awarded a ROSL Pettman Scholarship for emerging musicians showing exceptional career promise which will see him travel to the UK in August 2023 for lessons, masterclasses and performances, supported by the Royal Over-seas League in association with AWE.

Otis Prescott-Mason

Piano
NZ

Otis Prescott-Mason is a Wellington born pianist, currently studying piano under Dr. Jian Liu at Wellington's New Zealand School of Music, Te Kōkī. Otis has won numerous competitions at a national level, most recently awarded first prize at the Lewis Eady National Piano Competition and the 2022 National Young Performer Awards. In 2020, while still in high school, Otis was awarded first prize at the New Zealand Junior Piano Competition.

  • Otis enjoys chamber music and was selected to attend the Adam Summer School for Chamber Music from 2021-2023. Otis has been invited to perform in the New Zealand International Music Festival and the Whakatipu Music Festival. Through the generous sponsorship of Professor Jack C. Richards, Otis attended the 2022 Semaine Internationale de Piano in Blonay, Switzerland and will return to play a solo recital in the 2023 festival.

    Otis was an AWE 2021 and 2022 Emerging Artist, and in 2023 Otis returns as AWE Fellow and has been awarded a ROSL Pettman Scholarship that will support his return to Europe in August 2023 for a range of professional development opportunities.

2023 Composer in Residence

Victoria Kelly

Composer in Residence, AWE Festival 2023
NZ

Victoria Kelly is an award-winning composer, arranger, musical director and producer. Last year, our festival programme included Victoria’s exquisite Songs Without Words for string quartet, and we are thrilled to have her join us this year as Composer in Residence. Victoria has produced music across a wide spectrum of genres including contemporary classical music, popular music, and music for film, television and theatre. She has worked as a musical director and composer for both large scale events and television programmes.

  • Highly sought after as a classical composer, Victoria has worked with a wide range of New Zealand musicians and artists, having been commissioned, performed and/or recorded by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Auckland Philharmonia, the New Zealand String Quartet, NZTrio, Stroma, Michael Houstoun and Stephen de Pledge. In 2023, her long awaited Requiem was premiered by the Auckland Philharmonia with Simon O’Neill and Jayne Tankersley at the Auckland Arts Festival.

    In the popular music world, she has collaborated with artists including Neil Finn, Tami Neilson, Finn Andrews / The Veils, Don McGlashan, Anika Moa, SJD and Shapeshifter. As a film composer she has worked with Peter Jackson, Jonathan King and Robert Sarkies, among others. You can read more about Victoria here.

Supported by the Nicholas Tarling Trust towards commission and residency

2023 Co-Commission

As a special addition to the 2023 festival, AWE was delighted to co-commission After Farrera by Nicola Lefanu with the Vaughan Williams Foundation. Written for 2023 Festival Artist Ben Goldscheider, this work for horn, violin and cello is the third work for this not often heard combination of instruments alongside 2023 composer-in-residence, Victoria Kelly’s Ensemble, and 2023 Emerging Composer Georgina Palmer’s Maramataka, both written for the same combination of instruments. 

Nicola LeFanu

Composer | Co-commission between Vaughan Williams Foundation and AWE
UK

Nicola LeFanu has composed around one hundred works for a variety of mediums. Her music is published by Edition Peters and Novello and is widely played, broadcast and recorded. She has composed eight operas, which have been staged in UK, Ireland and USA.

  • In April 2017 she celebrated her seventieth birthday and was BBC Radio 3 ’Composer of the Week’. 2017 also saw premieres of five new works, including ‘The Crimson Bird’, text John Fuller, a dramatic scena commissioned by RPS for BBCSO. In 2020 a CD with four of her major orchestral pieces was released by NMC. It features the RTE NSO and the BBCSO.

    Premieres since 2021 include a string quintet, ‘Triptych’ for baritone and chamber orchestra, music for saxophone orchestra and solo works for horn, clavichord, and piano.

    She was born in England in 1947 to Irish parents; her mother was the composer Elizabeth Maconchy. LeFanu studied at Oxford, RCM and Harvard. She is active in many aspects of the musical profession and was Professor of Music at University of York, 1994-2008.

    Read more about Nicola here.