Graduates

Dylan Lardelli

Composer Dylan Lardelli graduated with both a Bachelor of Guitar performance and a Masters in Composition with distinction at Victoria University, where he studied with acclaimed composers Ross Harris, John Psathas and Jack Body.

He has won numerous awards and scholarships, and has travelled around the country and overseas to perform and have his work performed by others. In 2000 and 2002 he won the University Composers Competition, and in 2003 won first prize at the Asian Composers League exchange in Tokyo with his piece Four Fragments. He became the youngest composer-in-residence with the Auckland Philharmonia over that same year and has received many commissions from leading orchestras including the NZSO, 175 East and Saxcess. In May 2005 he was awarded the inaugural Edwin Carr Scholarship to travel to Europe for five months to learn from some of the leading composers in his field. In 2005 the NZSO premiered his work Tumbu.

Ross Harris, with whom he still works informally, says: “Dylan is one of the most talented composers I have taught. His integration of modernist and more traditional musical languages imbues his music with extraordinary strength and expressive power…”

TrinityRoots

Formed in August 1998, while they were still studying jazz at the Conservatorium of Music, TrinityRoots is comprised of Warren Maxwell (guitar, voice), Rio Hemopo (bass, voice), and Rikki Gooch (drums, voice).

The release of their Creative NZ-funded debut EP in October of 2000 was a long-awaited realisation for the band. It has sold over 3000 copies – released independently by the band.

With their live performances gaining intensity and their fan base growing each appearance, TrinityRoots saw their endeavours come to fruition with the much anticipated release of their debut album True in 2002, and Home, Land and Sea in 2004.

They have celebrated live shows alongside Ben Harper, Lee Scratch Perry, The Mad Professor, Rockers Hi-Fi, King Kapisi, Che Fu and Salmonella Dub. Through their presence and live energy, TrinityRoots liberate what is the essence of integrity and heartfelt performance.

Madeleine Pierard

The winner of the 2005 Lexus (formerly Mobil) Song Quest, Madeleine Pierard completed her Bachelor of Music in Composition and Performance (Voice) in 2004, and is currently completing her Honours in Performance Voice at the School of Music under Jenny Wollerman. Madeleine is a member of the Tudor Consort, and the Chapmann Trip Chorus of the NBR Opera. She was a member of the Tower New Zealand Youth Choir from 2002-2003, often appearing as a soloist. Madeleine has received scholarships from Mary McHardy and the Willi Fels Memorial Trust. In 2004, she won the PACANZ National Young Performer of the Year Award (Vocal) and a Rotary Scholarship for excellence in the study of music. In 2005, Madeleine received a Moyra Todd Scholarship, won the Napier Computer Systems Aria and Recital classes and has appeared in a number of solo recitals and operas locally and around the country.

In 2005, she shared the lead role of Pamina, in Victoria University’s production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute.

Ji-hyun Lee

Ji-hyun (Jennifer) Lee received a first class Honours degree in piano performance in 2004. Recently she moved to London in order to take a Master’s degree under Martin Roscoe at the Guildhall School of Music, under full scholarship.

Jennifer commenced her studies at the School of Music in 2001, and in that same year she became the youngest winner of the University Concerto Competition, performing with the Victoria University Orchestra to great acclaim. The following year she represented New Zealand at the finals of The Australasian Kawai Youth Piano Concerto Competition performing Tchaikovsky’s second concerto with the Melbourne Youth Orchestra at the Melbourne Town Hall.

An active chamber musician and accompanist, Jennifer toured New Zealand with New Visions 05, a collaboration between musicians, and dancers from the New Zealand School of Dance.

She is the current recipient of Victoria University’s Baines Trust Scholarship in Music Performance, and the prestigious William Georgetti Scholarship.

Nick Tipping

Nick Tipping is Programme Leader for the Jazz Performance programme. He teaches jazz history, jazz theory, combo, jazz bass, improvisation and Understanding Music.

Nick has a background in both jazz and classical music performance. He has extensive choral experience including performances with the National Youth Choir and Voices New Zealand, and spent time as a percussionist and bassoonist in the Wellington Youth Orchestra before studying jazz bass at the then Massey University Conservatorium and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Now active as a professional jazz and contemporary bass player, Nick Tipping has performed on stages and in clubs around New Zealand, Italy, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Seoul. His performing experience encompasses the history of jazz, especially bop, fusion and contemporary jazz, and contemporary pop music.

Nick has recorded music in a variety of musical styles, including pop / rock with Karel van Helden, instrumental jazz with the Norman Meehan Quartet/Quintet and the Ford / Tipping / Wise Trio, big band with the Vaughn Roberts Big Band, and vocal jazz with Face Value.

Nick is in demand as a bass player in styles ranging from mainstream jazz to fusion, and pop, blues and rock. He is currently a member of Rodger Fox's Wellington Jazz Orchestra, as well as fronting a trio with longtime collaborators Charmaine Ford and Richard Wise. recent appearances include as soloist with the NZSO in Jeremy Mayall's Bass Guitar Concerto, with the Vector Wellington Orchestra, and with Charmaine Ford in the 2008 and 2009 National Jazz Festivals in Tauranga. He has played bass on all 5 seasons of Dancing with the Stars for TVNZ. Recent CD releases include 'After the Last Dance' with the Ford Tipping Wise Trio, and Norman Meehan's 'Modigliani'. He will appear on John Psathas' upcoming album, playing 'Psyzygyzm' with Wellington new music ensemble Stroma.

From 2004-2006 Nick was in charge of the Foundation Certificate in Jazz at Massey University and the NZSM, and since 2007 he has been Programme Leader of Jazz.

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