2025 Australian Music Foundation
Classical Awardees
The Australian Music Foundation has presented awards to nearly 300 young Australian musicians to help support their studies overseas since 1975.
The demand was greater than ever this year. It highlights the impact your donations and support make on our Awardees’ development and careers.
The Awards would not be possible without the generosity of our major donors: The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust, The Goodridge Foundation, Maestro Richard Bonynge AC CBE, the Breen Family Foundation, the Donus Australia Foundation and the Lynn Foundation to whom we are most grateful.
Meet our 2025 Awardees
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Megan Yang
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James Emerson
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Hayley Lau
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Anna Rabinowicz
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Emmalena Huning
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Lewis Blanchard
CLARINET
AUSTRALIAN MUSIC FOUNDATION CLASSICAL AWARD
supported by the Breen Family Foundation -
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Leanne McGowan
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Eklavya Mudgil
ACCOMPANIST
RICHARD BONYNGE AWARD
donated by Maestro Richard Bonynge AC CBE -
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Victoria Wong
VIOLIN
AUSTRALIAN MUSIC FOUNDATION CLASSICAL AWARD
supported by the Donus Australia Foundation and the Australian Music Foundation -
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Bernice Chua
PIANO
AUSTRALIAN MUSIC FOUNDATION TRUSTEES AWARD
supported by the Trustees of the Australian Music Foundation -
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Ella Orehek-Coddington
MEZZO SOPRANO
YVONNE KENNY ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD
supported by The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust -
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Josephine Chung
VIOLIN
AUSTRALIAN MUSIC FOUNDATION CLASSICAL AWARD
supported by the Lynn Foundation and the Australian Music Foundation
Our Awardees Biographies
CLASSICAL GUITAR
1989 AWARDEE
Described by BBC Music Magazine as “a worthy successor to Julian Bream” and as “a natural heir to John Williams” by distinguished music critic Michael White, Grammy-nominated guitarist Craig Ogden is recognised as one of the world’s leading classical guitarists. Renowned for his virtuosic artistry and engaging musicality, he has performed concertos with many of the world’s finest orchestras, including all the major UK orchestras, and is a highly sought-after chamber musician.
Craig’s extensive discography includes more than thirty recordings for Chandos, Virgin/EMI, Nimbus, Hyperion, Sony, as well as five chart-topping albums for Classic FM. His performances are regularly broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and internationally.
Numerous composers have written works specially for him, most recently concertos by Greg Caffrey (Ulster Orchestra, BBC Radio 3), William Lovelady (English Chamber Orchestra, in the presence of HM The King) and David Knotts (BBC Concert Orchestra, BBC Radio 3 & BBC Four TV).
Born in Perth, Australia, Craig studied guitar from the age of seven and percussion from thirteen. Following undergraduate studies at the University of Western Australia, he trained at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, joining the teaching staff upon graduation. Deeply committed to education, Craig gives masterclasses worldwide.
Craig Ogden is Director of Guitar at the RNCM, Adjunct Fellow of the University of Western Australia and Director of the Dean & Chadlington Summer Music Festival. He performs on a 2011 Greg Smallman guitar and uses D’Addario strings.
Craig received an award from the Australian Music Foundation in 1989.
Craig Ogden
VIOLIN
2012-2015 AUSTRALIAN MUSIC FOUNDATION CLASSICAL AWARDEE
“Possessed of a superb talent” (The Australian), with “a searing and poetic tone” (The Guardian), violinist Emily Sun’s compelling and captivating interpretations have won her international renown.
As a concerto soloist, she has recently appeared with Sydney Symphony, Melbourne Symphony, Tasmanian Symphony, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, London Mozart Players, Johannesburg Philharmonic and was the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra’s Artist-in-Association, extended for two seasons.
Since her debut at the Wigmore Hall, she has gone on to perform on world stages such as the Royal Albert Hall, Seoul Arts Center, Tchaikovsky Hall Moscow and Buckingham Palace at the invitation of King Charles III. Emily’s debut ARIA- nominated album ‘Nocturnes’ reached No. 1 on the ARIA Classical Charts, and her second release ‘Film Fantasia’ features the Korngold Violin Concerto and the world premiere of Elena Kats-Chernin Violin Concerto.
Emily is violin professor at the Royal College of Music, London and performs on a 1753 G.B. Guadaganini, kindly loaned by the UKARIA Cultural Trust.
Emily was supported by the Australian Music Foundation from 2012-2015.
Emily Sun
SOPRANO
2015 AWARDEE
Lyric coloratura soprano Alexandra Flood has been a principal soloist at the Vienna Volksoper since 2022. 24/25 roles include Queen of the Night/The Magic Flute, Frasquita/Carmen, Princess Fantasia/Le voyage dans la lune and Adele/Die Fledermaus. Past seasons include Clorinda/La cenerentola, Gretel/Hänsel und Gretel, Musetta/La bohème, and Pamina/The Magic Flute. This season, Alexandra celebrated her debut with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and in 2026, will make her Opera Australia debut in The Merry Widow at the Sydney Opera House and in La bohème in Melbourne.
Alexandra began her career as a young artist at the Salzburg Festival, before completing a masters at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Munich. Alexandra has since enjoyed a blossoming international opera and concert career, including productions at Opéra de Paris, Dutch National Opera, Teatro Réal, and Festival Aix-en-Provence and appearances with such ensembles as the Vienna & St Petersburg Philharmonic, the Adelaide, Queensland, Berlin & Bochum Symphony, and the Polish and Munich Radio Orchestras.
Alexandra is the Artistic Director of the Queensland Art Song Festival.
The Australian Music Foundation recognised Alexandra with an award in 2015.
Alexandra Flood
BARITONE
2025 YVONNE KENNY AWARD
supported by The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust
James Emerson is an Australian baritone from Melbourne who is currently studying for a Master of Performance (Vocal) at the Royal College of Music in London. He is honoured to be the recipient of the Yvonne Kenny Award from the Australian Music Foundation, sponsored by the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust. This prestigious award will support James with his studies and expenses.
James has performed in numerous productions, including Victorian Opera’s Il Mago di Oz and The Butterfly Lovers, and recently appeared in the RCM’s productions of The Merry Widow and contemporary operas in Revolutions. He is also a sought-after soloist for recitals, concerts, and masterclasses.
James holds a Master of Music (Opera Performance) from the University of Melbourne and has received several accolades, including the Arnold Matters Scholarship and awards from the Ringwood and Warrnambool Aria Eisteddfods. In 2021, he was a finalist in the Herald Sun Aria competition and in 2022/2023 was a scholarship artist with Melba Opera Trust, further establishing his notable reputation in the Australian classical vocal music scene.
James Emerson
FLUTE
2025 AUSTRALIAN MUSIC FOUNDATION CLASSICAL AWARD
supported by The Goodridge Foundation
Anna Rabinowicz is an accomplished flautist from Melbourne who has distinguished herself in many solo competitions and performances. She is currently studying her Masters in Performance at the Zürcher Hochschule der Künste, Zürich, Switzerland, under the tutelage of Sabine Poyé Morel and Haika Lübcke.
Anna was a featured artist at the 2024 Australian Festival of Chamber Music, Townsville; and has played with many orchestras including the Auckland Philharmonia, the West Australian Symphony Orchestra and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
For many years, Anna was the Principal Flute of the Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO) and performed with the AYO’s Momentum Ensemble. Anna is a graduate of the Australian National Academy of Music Performance Program, and received her Bachelor of Music in Performance with Distinction from the Queensland Conservatorium in 2021.
Anna is very appreciative to be supported by the Australian Music Foundation, and will be using her Award to cover professional development and living costs.
Anna Rabinowicz
PIANO
ACCOMPANIST
Daniel Peter Silcock is a Scottish pianist currently based in London, particularly distinguished as a song accompanist. Recent seasons have seen Daniel perform at the world’s top music centres, including New York’s Carnegie Hall, and at Wigmore Hall in London. Daniel is a Samling Artist, and a part of Renée Fleming’s SongStudio 2024; he was an Art of Song fellow at Toronto Summer Music, as well as the Schubert Institute UK prize winner as a Leeds Lieder Young Artist.
Before coming to London, Daniel won prizes at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland for interpretations of French piano repertoire and made his concerto debut at the age of 15 with the RCS Symphony Orchestra. This year, Daniel is continuing on the Song Circle and Academy Voices fellowship at the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied with Joseph Middleton and won major prizes for song accompaniment.
Recent projects include recording Mahler: Rückert-Lieder with Catherine Wyn-Rogers, and founding SongTide, a new festival for song based on the North-East coast of Scotland. Daniel is also looking forward to working with Roderick Williams and Malcolm Martineau on the Britten-Pears Young Artist programme this summer.
danielpetersilcockpiano.com
Daniel Peter Silcock
We are proud to recognise twelve outstanding young Australian musicians as the recipients of our 2025 Classical Awards. These Awards are only possible thanks to your generosity and the vital support of our major donors: The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust, The Goodridge Foundation, The Breen Family Foundation, Maestro Richard Bonynge AC CBE, the Donus Australia Foundation and the Lynn Foundation.
We had a record number of impressive applicants for the second year in a row.
The judging process took place over two months in two rounds and was finalised over summer.
We put a large amount of time into assessing each candidate and a lot of thought and attention into making the final selection. The panel this year consisted of:
Chair
Yvonne Kenny AM (Chair AMF UK / non-voting Chair final judging round): Soprano and Professor of Voice
Judges
Dene Olding AM (Chair AMF Australia): Violin
Linnhe Robertson (AMF UK Trustee): Piano Accompanist and Vocal Coach GSMD
Peter Robinson: Conductor
and we also consulted with instrument specialists:
Alan Vivian: Clarinet
The demand was greater than ever and highlights the impact your donation makes on our Awardee’s development and careers.
We are proud to announce that our Australian Music Foundation Classical Awardees for 2025 are:
Megan Yang
VIOLIN
OVERSEAS STUDY AWARD
supported by The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust
James Emerson
VIOLIN
OVERSEAS STUDY AWARD
supported by The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust
James Emerson
BARITONE
Yvonne Kenny Award
supported by The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust
Hayley Lau
VIOLA
Australian Music Foundation Classical Award
supported by The Goodridge Foundation
Anna Rabinowicz
FLUTE
Australian Music Foundation Classical Award
supported by The Goodridge Foundation
Emmalena Huning
VIOLIN
Australian Music Foundation Classical Award
supported by The Goodridge Foundation
Lewis Blanchard
CLARINET
Australian Music Foundation Classical Award
supported by the Breen Family Foundation
Leanne McGowan
CLARINET
Australian Music Foundation Classical Award
supported by the Breen Family Foundation
Eklavya Mudgil
ACCOMPANIST
Richard Bonynge Award
donated by Maestro Richard Bonynge AC CBE
Victoria Wong
VIOLIN
Australian Music Foundation Classical Award
supported by the Donus Australia Foundation and the Australian Music Foundation
Bernice Chua
PIANO
Australian Music Foundation Trustees Award
supported by the Trustees of the Australian Music Foundation
Ella Orehek-Coddington
MEZZO SOPRANO
Yvonne Kenny Encouragement Award
supported by The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust
Josephine Chung
VIOLIN
Australian Music Foundation Classical AwardOur previous Australian Music Foundation Awardees
We are proud to recognise twelve outstanding young Australian musicians as the recipients of our 2025 Classical Awards. These Awards are only possible thanks to your generosity and the vital support of our major donors: The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust, The Goodridge Foundation, The Breen Family Foundation, Maestro Richard Bonynge AC CBE, the Donus Australia Foundation and the Lynn Foundation.
We had a record number of impressive applicants for the second year in a row.
The judging process took place over two months in two rounds and was finalised over summer.
We put a large amount of time into assessing each candidate and a lot of thought and attention into making the final selection. The panel this year consisted of:
Chair
Yvonne Kenny AM (Chair AMF UK / non-voting Chair final judging round): Soprano and Professor of Voice
Judges
Dene Olding AM (Chair AMF Australia): Violin
Linnhe Robertson (AMF UK Trustee): Piano Accompanist and Vocal Coach GSMD
Peter Robinson: Conductor
and we also consulted with instrument specialists:
Alan Vivian: Clarinet
The demand was greater than ever and highlights the impact your donation makes on our Awardee’s development and careers.
We are proud to announce that our Australian Music Foundation Classical Awardees for 2025 are:
Megan Yang
VIOLIN
OVERSEAS STUDY AWARD
supported by The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust
James Emerson
BARITONE
Yvonne Kenny Award
supported by The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust
Hayley Lau
VIOLA
Australian Music Foundation Classical Award
supported by The Goodridge Foundation
Anna Rabinowicz
FLUTE
Australian Music Foundation Classical Award
supported by The Goodridge Foundation
Emmalena Huning
VIOLIN
Australian Music Foundation Classical Award
supported by The Goodridge Foundation
Lewis Blanchard
CLARINET
Australian Music Foundation Classical Award
supported by the Breen Family Foundation
Leanne McGowan
CLARINET
Australian Music Foundation Classical Award
supported by the Breen Family Foundation
Eklavya Mudgil
ACCOMPANIST
Richard Bonynge Award
donated by Maestro Richard Bonynge AC CBE
Victoria Wong
VIOLIN
Australian Music Foundation Classical Award
supported by the Donus Australia Foundation and the Australian Music Foundation
Bernice Chua
PIANO
Australian Music Foundation Trustees Award
supported by the Trustees of the Australian Music Foundation
Ella Orehek-Coddington
MEZZO SOPRANO
Yvonne Kenny Encouragement Award
supported by The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust
Josephine Chung
VIOLIN
Australian Music Foundation Classical AwardOur previous Australian Music Foundation Awardees
Our previous Australian Music Foundation Awardees
Please visit the ALUMNI page for details of all previous Australian Music Foundation Awardees.