AUSTA Artist in
Residence
Niki Vasilakis
 Twenty-two year-old Niki Vasilakis is regarded as one of
the most exciting violinists to have emerged from Australia in recent
years. Her appearances on Australian television on programmes such as
the Nine Network’s A Current Affair and Today Show, and a busy
international schedule of concerts and recording, have already made her
name familiar to a wide public.
Niki commenced her violin studies in Adelaide at the age of four, and
has since received many awards, including the Elder Conservatorium
Concerto Prize, the Nelly Apt Scholarship, and the Perry Hart Memorial
Prize (twice). She has been repeatedly successful in music
competitions, winning the Gisborne International and the Hunts Master
Performers National Instrumental Competitions, among others. In 2003
she won the String Final of Symphony Australia’s Young Performer of the
Year, the premier competition in Australasia for talented young
musicians.
Now one of Australia’s busiest soloists, Niki has performed with the
Melbourne, Tasmanian, Symphony Orchestras, Orchestra Victoria, as well
as the Queensland Orchestra. In January 2004 she appeared with the
Sydney Symphony in the southern hemisphere’s biggest outdoor concert
event, the Symphony in the Domain, to an audience of more than 100,000
people. This followed her successful debut with that orchestra for the
Sydney Opera House’s 30th Anniversary celebrations.
International orchestras with whom she has performed include the
Wellington Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand, Guangzhou Symphony
Orchestra of China in July 2004 (soloist in the Bruch Violin Concerto
No 1), and the Prague Symphony Orchestra. With the latter, she has
recorded her debut album of violin classics, scheduled for release in
2006.
Niki was nominated for Young Australian of the Year in 2003 and 2004 in
recognition of her outstanding achievements in music and her extensive
commitment to community work, including volunteer programs and teaching
community groups. In October 2003 she was included in The Bulletin
magazine’s ‘Smart 100’ list.
Niki was Artist in Residence at St Andrew’s Cathedral School in Sydney
for four years (2000-2004) while completing her Bachelor of Music;
Performance at The Australian Institute Of Music Sydney with ‘First
Class Honours.’ Currently living in Melbourne, Niki continues her
studies as a Performer at the National Academy of Music while
completing her PhD at the Elder Conservatorium of Music. Future plans
include study in Israel as part of the Nelly Apt Scholarship prize.
Niki will also be presenting a new television series about music called
Classical Destinations to be aired in Australia in SBS January 2006,
also featuring in a film project on Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with
violinists Chio-lang (Jimmy) Lin, and Pekka Kussisto.
Recent engagements for Niki Vasilakis include a guest performance for
the Australian Prime Minister at a State Dinner in August 2004, and
soloist appearances with the Melbourne Symphony (September 2004),
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra (October 2004) and The Queensland
Orchestra (August 2005) and a tour with the Melbourne Symphony
Orchestra (October 2005).
Niki will record her second album with ‘ABC Classics’ featuring the
Bruch and Mendelssohn Violin Concerto’s which she will perform with the
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra December 2005. This album will be
released in May 2006.
Niki plays an Antonio Guadagnini Violin 1872 on loan by Lilly Camden of
‘Musical Options.’
WHAT THE CRITICS SAID:
‘An assured and captivating performance by young violinist Niki
Vasilakis in Ross Edward's Maninyas concerto said it all: here may our
stars be born’.
Sydney Morning Herald, October
2003
Sydney Opera House 30th Birthday celebration
‘Australian violin prodigy, voluptuous of tone, expression and
demeanor’.
Dominion, April 2002, Wellington NZ
‘The large house responded warmly to local violinist Nicole Vasilakis
as she fearlessly powered through the Glazunov A minor concerto who
enjoyed a near-faultless run.’
The Age, September 2004, Melbourne Town Hall
‘Niki Vasilakis performed this romantic and technically challenging
work with consummate ease and sensitivity. One imagines she has a
bright future.’
The Mercury, October 2004, Tasmania
‘Sensitive synchronicity of violin and orchestra, a rare joy.
Vasilakis approached it with a tender kind of love, with a smooth
velvet tone. Her playing was sensitively crafted and articulated.’
The Courier Mail August 2005
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