Media Release 27 August 2013
Music Scholar Wins Young Musician of the Year
Rangi Ruru Girls’ School Music Scholar Grace McKenzie (Year 9) has been named the 2013 Young Musician of the Year by the
Christchurch Branch of the Registered Music Teachers' of New Zealand.
Grace performed a programme two works on the piano at an event on Friday evening, where she won 1st prize and $400.
Adjudicated by Trinity College examiner Peter Evans, from London, many present in the audience commented on the way that
Grace 'drew the audience into her playing.
Director of Music at Rangi Ruru, Janet Kingsbury, says Grace is an exceptionally talented young woman who applies
herself completely to her musical studies and performance. The piano is Grace's second instrument. She is a violinist of
some considerable talent who is also a member of the Pettman National Junior Academy of Music.
“She has a focus and ability that could take her very far indeed. Grace is a delight to teach and watch perform,” she
says.
This is true of all of the music scholars at Rangi, who are provided with a comprehensive programme that nurtures their
exceptional talent and allows them the freedom to achieve their musical goals. Music scholars at Rangi do well both
nationally and internationally, with one former scholar currently studying for her Master's Degree in Music at the
Juilliard School in New York.
ENDS