About Michelle Kim Duong & James HE
EXPLORING EUROPE: MOZART, SCHUMANN, BEETHOVEN, DUTILLEUX
SATURDAY 12TH JULY 2024 8PM
TICKETS $25 | CONCESSION $20
FIRST HALF: MICHELLE KIM DUONG, PIANO
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756 - 1791) Piano Sonata No. 18 in D major, K. 576
Robert SCHUMANN (1810 - 1856) Kreisleriana Op. 16
ABOUT MICHELLE
Australian pianist Michelle Kim Duong is a versatile soloist and chamber musician currently based in Salzburg, Austria. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance (Honours) in 2020 from the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, studying under Igor Machlak. Currently, she is pursuing a Master of Arts in Klavier Konzertfach at the Mozarteum Universität in Salzburg under the mentorship of Professor Rolf Plagge. Michelle’s overseas studies are generously supported by the Ian Potter Cultural Trust and Recitals Australia, for which she is deeply grateful.
Michelle has performed extensively across Europe and Australia, appearing in recitals, festivals, and masterclasses led by renowned musicians such as Pavel Gililov, Piotr Paleczny, and Stefan Arnold, among others. She has also showcased her talent on live radio, performing chamber works on 3MBS.
Driven by a profound dedication to piano pedagogy and education, Michelle continuously seeks to enhance her expertise, particularly in European methods. Looking ahead, she aspires to pursue a performance-based PhD in Australia, with the ultimate goal of teaching and inspiring others through her passion for music.
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SECOND HALF: JAMES HE, PIANO
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770 - 1827) Piano Sonata No. 30 in E major, Op. 109
Henri DUTILLEUX (1916 - 2013) Piano Sonata Op. 1
ABOUT JAMES
James is currently pursuing his Masters degree at the Mozarteum University under the tutelage of Rolf Plagge, following undergraduate studies at the University of Melbourne. Over the years, he has had the privilege of studying with esteemed pianists such as Stefan Arnold, Gil Garburg, Igor Machlak, Alexandre Dossin, Ronald-Farren Price, and Annette Stilwell.
James’ passion for music has led him to participate in many festivals and masterclasses around the world with renowned pianists such as Jan Jiracek von Arnim, Boris Berman, Milana Chernyavska, Julia Mustonen-Dahlkvist, Pavel Gililov, Robert Levin, and Piotr Palcezny among many others.
In 2024, James was the 1st prize winner of the Bach International Music Competition and the Royal Maas International Competition. He also received the Gold and Silver Prizes in the Colours of Chopin International Piano Competition and has garnered numerous awards in competitions across Australia. He had his concerto debut in 2016, performing Grieg’s Piano Concerto No.1 with the Derwent Symphony Orchestra and has also been featured live on 3MBS Radio.
He has performed internationally in Austria, Australia, Denmark and Germany and has been the recipient of multiple scholarships, including the John Gaitskell Memorial Mensa Prize and the Florence Menk Meyer Prize in 2019, the Rosemarie Kenny Prize in 2020, and the Mary Elizabeth McComas Scholarship in 2022, which supports his continued studies abroad.
Alongside his performance career, James is also an avid music educator who is deeply committed to inspiring and nurturing the next generation of musicians through a supportive and inspiring learning environment. He believes that music is the most powerful medium for expressing emotions and connecting with audiences around the world.