Michael Hill International Violin Competition 2026 goes national
VIOLINS EVERYWHERE: MICHAEL HILL INTERNATIONAL VIOLIN COMPETITION 2026 GOES NATIONAL
Twenty-five events in four centres across 17 days, from concert halls to classrooms: the Michael Hill International Violin Competition (MHIVC) is expanding its reach across Aotearoa in 2026, taking world-leading violinists beyond the competition rounds to become a truly nationwide celebration of musical talent and community.
In a bold evolution in the Competition’s 25th anniversary year, the popular String Sessions, Auckland’s mini violin festival which takes place in venues across Tāmaki Makaurau in the build up to the thrilling Grand Final, will now take place in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington. Add the hotly-awaited Queenstown quarter-final rounds and the 2026 Competition becomes a dynamic, multi-city festival of the violin. Masterclasses, workshops and intimate performances by leading international violinists, including the 2026 judges, competitors and New Zealand’s finest musicians and orchestras, are open to audiences across the country.
A defining feature of MHIVC 2026 is accessibility. String Sessions are free to attend (with registration), ensuring that students, emerging musicians and the wider public can engage directly with the Competition. Outreach activities in Christchurch, Queenstown and Auckland will enthral and entertain violin-lovers in their own communities. This nationwide approach transforms MHIVC from a prestigious event into a cultural moment that invites participation, learning and inspiration at every level.
From 21 to 27 May, Christchurch’s String Sessions presented in partnership with Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, NZSO and The Piano feature side-by-side performances uniting professionals, competitors and community players, outreach, masterclasses with internationally acclaimed artists including James Ehnes (Canada), chamber music coaching with members of the renowned Takács Quartet and a headline concert, Czech Connections, featuring former MHIVC winner Josef Špaček (Czech Republic).
In Auckland from 3 to 6 June, audiences, students and teachers can experience a rich series of violin and chamber music masterclasses, specialist pedagogy sessions, schools’ outreach visits, workshops for young musicians and can participate in a side-by-side large string ensemble with MHIVC international jury members and competitors, culminating in the Gala Showcase at Auckland Concert Chamber on Saturday 6 June.
In Wellington on 24 May, the Competition through a partnership with the New Zealand School of Music presents a chamber music class featuring MHIVC judge Edward Dusinberre with Harumi Rhodes connecting outstanding secondary school and tertiary chamber musicians.
At the centre of this is the Competition which opens in Queenstown, where the Competition’s quarter-finals unfold in an intensive series of performances from 29 May to 1 June. Audiences can attend eight quarter-final sessions featuring 16 of the world’s finest ascending violinists, as well as daily Insider’s Guides offering expert insights and the live announcement of semi-finalists on Monday 1 June.
In the midst of the quarter-finals, the Queenstown Memorial Centre will be transformed for an evening of rarefied elegance and alluring artistry. The 25th Silver Anniversary Gala Dinner will be a harmoniously curated affair in which virtuosity and indulgence intertwine. Guests will enjoy a locally-sourced and sumptuous meal prepared by Artisan Catering with matched Nockie’s Palette Wines. The night shimmers with intimate and unforgettable performances from internationally celebrated violinists Josef Špaček (2009 Competition winner) and New Zealand's own Geneva Lewis, both renowned concert violinists and members of the international panel of judges.
The Competition then moves to Auckland for the semi-finals and Grand Final, in which the three finalists each perform a concerto with Auckland Philharmonia and culminating in the announcement of the 2026 winner.
The Competition is generously supported by the Hill Family Foundation for Arts and Music, Craigs Investment Partners and Michael Hill International. The winner receives NZ$40,000, a recording contract with the Atoll label, and a multi-centre Winner’s Tour with Chamber Music New Zealand and Auckland Philharmonia. There are a number of other prizes, too, including the Sheila Smith Prize - a three-year loan of a Domenico Montagnana violin, facilitated by Rare Violins of New York.
The 16 quarter-finalists who will be flown to New Zealand to compete in May are Beatrice Colombis (Sydney/Berlin), Anais Feller (Vancouver/Washington), Emmalena Huning (Perth), Yeonoo Jeong (Seoul), Hyein Koo (Seoul), Hairui Lei (Philadelphia), Tianyou Ma (New York), Leanne McGowan (Brisbane/Berlin), Jakow Pavlenko (Berlin), Alexey Stychkin (Berlin), Maxim Tzekov (Berlin), Dindin Jingyi Wang (Melbourne), Julia Wang (Vienna), Ruiyi Wang (Shanghai), Sophie Wang (Berlin) and Xunyue Zhang (Berlin).
Ends
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Michael Hill International Violin Competition 2026
Full Competition schedule can be found here.
Rounds I and II (Quarter-finals) - Queenstown
Friday 29 May to Monday 1 June
Queenstown Memorial Hall
Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/host/michael-hill-international-violin-competition
Round III (Semi-finals) - Auckland
Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 June
Auckland Town Hall
Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/michael-hill-international-violin-competition-tickets/artist/2079982
Grand Final - Auckland
Saturday 6 June
Auckland Town Hall
Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/michael-hill-international-violin-competition-2026-auckland-06-06-2026/event/2400637BAD442EE0
Insider’s Guide - daily free talks with session tickets
Special Event
25th Silver Anniversary Gala Dinner
Saturday 30 May, 7.00 - 10.30pm
Queenstown Memorial Centre
Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/michael-hill-international-violin-competition-25th-silver-anniversary-gala-dinner
String Sessions
All community events can be found here.
About the Michael Hill International Violin Competition:
On a triennial basis, 16 outstanding 18 to 26-year-old violinists, who are selected by audition, travel to Queenstown and Auckland, New Zealand, where they are wholeheartedly embraced by local audiences who journey with them through the highs and lows that come with a competition of this calibre. The “Michael Hill” remains a favourite on the competition circuit, not just for its prestigious prize package, esteemed judging panel and career-launching opportunities, but also for the warmth and heart that greets every competitor from the moment they touch down in Aotearoa New Zealand. For the rest of their careers, competitors remain connected to this small, creative country in the heart of the South Pacific.