The Christchurch  Branch of the IRMT are delighted to announce that Katherine Austin will be giving a Masterclass for four advanced level students. Come along and watch as Katherine puts the four lucky students through their paces.   

Head of Piano Studies for the University of Waikato Conservatorium of Music, Katherine Austin is one of New Zealand’s leading pianists and performs regularly around NZ and overseas, touring frequently for Chamber Music New Zealand, and broadcasting regularly on Radio New Zealand Concert. Pianist of the Tennant-Austin Duo for the past 23 years, her work with the New Zealand Chamber Soloists (since 2006) now occupies a large portion of her performing and concert life.

Austin graduated Master of Music with First Class Honours in Piano Performance from Auckland University, where her teachers were Janetta McStay and Bryan Sayer. In 1982 she won both the NZ Young Performer of the Year (PACANZ) and the TVNZ/NZSO New Zealand Young Musician of the Year, playing Schumann’s Piano Concerto with the NZSO. Seven years of study and performance in London and Europe followed, included a full scholarship to the Royal College of Music London to study with renowned Russian pianist and teacher Irina Zaritskaya, as well as postgraduate studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. In 1987, Austin won the Top Duo Prize in the Stresa International Chamber Music Competition in Italy, performing with cellist Vincenzo Giuliani.

Her students from the University of Waikato Conservatorium of Music have been winners of prizes and scholarships including the National Piano Concerto Competition, prize-winners in international competitions, full scholarships to ANAM (Australian National Academy of Music [post graduate performance school]) and to music institutions in Germany and the UK.