Celebrating the high achievers of 2023
The achievements of outstanding young musicians who were successful in the 2023 diploma examinations were recognised in AMEB Victoria’s Conferring of Diplomas Ceremony, held in the Hawthorn Arts Centre on 17 March.
Diplomas were conferred on successful candidates for the Associate in Music, Australia (AMusA) and the Licentiate in Music, Australia (LMusA). Of the 139 successful candidates for the Associate Diploma, 18 received a Distinction award in Cello, Clarinet, Horn, Piano, Oboe, Saxophone, Viola or Violin. The Licentiate Diploma was conferred on 46 successful candidates, of whom 16 received a Distinction award.
World-class pianist and faculty member of the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, Andrea Lam, delivered the Occasional Address to an appreciative audience of diplomates, parents, examiners and guests.
Three outstanding performances were given by Lieun Park, LMusA with Distinction (Cello) who performed Tchaikovsky’s Pezzo capriccioso Op. 62, Anushi Fernandopulle, LMusA with Distinction (Flute) who performed Andante sognando, 2nd movement and Allegro Giocoso, 3rd movement from Sonatina by Eldin Burton, and Clarissa Dinata LMusA with Distinction (Piano) who performed Percy Grainger’s In Dahomey (Cakewalk Smasher).
Diplomates receiving multiple awards
We especially congratulate eleven musicians who received two diplomas at the Ceremony:
Left to right:
Kevin Jin, AMusA (Piano) and AMusA (Violin)
Yijun Cai, LMusA (Piano) and LMusA with Distinction (Violin)
Adrian Lin, LMusA (Piano) and LMusA (Violin)
Kayla Hong, AMusA (Piano) and AMusA with Distinction (Clarinet)
Leah Gui, AMusA (Piano) and AMusA (Violin)
Derek Wui, LMusA (Piano) with Distinction and LMusA (Double Bass)
Olivia Zhu, AMusA (Piano) and AMusA with Distinction (Cello)
Emily Zeng, AMusA (Piano) and AMusA (Violin)
Aiden Yan, AMusA (Piano) and AMusA (Flute)
Clara Dinh, AMusA (Piano) and AMusA (Violin)
Ali Shlaibeq, AMusA (Piano) and LMusA with Distinction (Piano) (absent)
Special award winners
Five musicians were presented with Special Awards for outstanding achievement in the 2023 AMEB examinations:
Left to right:
Anushi Fernandopulle, LMusA with Distinction (Flute). Winner of the Leslie Barklamb Flute Award.
Isabella Cui and Alice Zhang. Joint winners of the Elizabeth Stainkamph Memorial Prize for the best combined result in Grade 8 Piano and Grade 5 Theory.
James Lim. Winner of the VMTA Theory of Music Award for the best Grade 6 Theory exam result.
Merlin Williams, AMusA with Distinction (Viola). Winner of the AUSTA Viola Award for the highest result in Viola examinations in 2023.
AMEB Victoria acknowledges the generous support of the 2023 Special Awards by the Victorian Music Teachers’ Association (VMTA) and the Australian String Teachers’ Association (AUSTA).