Graduating jazz students from The University of Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium of Music have been presented with over $15,000 in awards at the Helpmann Academy’s annual Jazz Awards event. The Helpmann Academy empower South Australian’s best emerging artists by providing professional development opportunities, building sustainable practices and advisory services.
Eight graduating musicians were presented with awards in excess of $15,000 at Hilton Adelaide on Tuesday night when the Helpmann Academy presented A Night of Jazz with Marquis Hill to more than 300 guests. South Australia’s brightest emerging jazz musicians from the Elder Conservatorium of Music, performed alongside international jazz superstar, Marquis Hill.
Trombonist Thomas Voss received the Expr3ss! Award for Best Overall Graduate, valued at $3333.33. Thomas, of Stirling, is currently in his Honours year of a Bachelor of Jazz Performance, and was the recipient of Helpmann Academy’s Keith Langley Memorial Award for Top Trombone Undergraduate in 2016.
Thomas said he was incredibly excited to have the opportunity to perform with Marquis Hill, and honoured to be involved in the Jazz Awards.
“I plan to use the Expr3ss! Award to help fund travel to the 2017 International Trombone Festival this July, where I’ll perform as a finalist in the ‘Carl Fontana Jazz Trombone Competition’. I then intend to put the remaining funds towards 1:1 lessons with various jazz musicians and trombonists.” Thomas said.
Winner of the 2016 Expr3ss! Award, guitarist Nicholas Pennington used the prize money to undertake a mentorship with saxophonist Will Vinson in New York, and has recently been awarded with a $90,000 scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music.
The Bendigo Adelaide Bank Award, valued at $2000 was presented to Top Drums Undergraduate Alexander Flood, of Kingswood.
The Howell Ross Award, valued at $2000 was presented to Top Trumpet Undergraduate Maksym Grynchuk, of Manningham.
The Tommy Norman Award, valued at $2000 was presented to Top Bass Undergraduate Dylan Kuerschner of Maylands.
The Rob Lyons Award, valued at $2000 was presented to Top Voice Undergraduate Stacey Tonkin of Mitcham.
The Keith & Susie Langley Award, valued at $2000 was presented to Top Guitar Undergraduate Tyler Venter of West Lakes.
The Helpmann Academy Encouragement Award, valued at $1000 was presented to Piano Undergraduate Andrew Casey of North Adelaide.
The Southern Jazz Club Encouragement Award, valued at $1000 was presented to Saxophone Undergraduate Jack Degenhart of Coromandel Valley.
The graduating musicians also participated in masterclasses and mentoring with Marquis Hill. This opportunity was part of the Helpmann Academy Cultivate Program (supported by Bendigo Adelaide Bank) aiming to provide students and gradates with unique opportunities to work with a diverse range of professional artists to develop their skills and experience.
Jane MacFarlane, Helpmann Academy CEO said that the Helpmann Academy was delighted to offer these talented emerging musicians the opportunity to connect with one of New York’s finest jazz musicians. “Opportunities like these are once-in-alifetime and will have a lasting impact on their career development.” Jane said.
The Helpmann Academy acknowledged the 2017 Jazz Awards partners and donors, Expr3ss!, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, the Hilton Adelaide, Don Howell, Rob Lyons, The Family of Keith and Susie Langley, Kim Norman, the Southern Jazz Club and Ollie Clark, and wine partner, Grigori Family Wines.
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