Upbeat

Sarah Watkins has her hands full this weekend, as one of two accompanists for the Michael Hill International Violin Competition. Audio

Nikki plays an excerpt on a Stradivarius and a Guadagnini violin, with commentary from Kerry Stevens. Read more Audio

Susie Park joins the Michael Hill International Violin Competition judging panel from Australia where she was a busy chamber musician, before taking up a concertmaster position in Michigan. Audio

Brothers Nikki and Timothy Chooi are both involved in this year's Michael Hill International Violin Competition. Timothy is a semi-finalist and Nikki is the reigning champ. Read more Audio

Neil and Barbara Simpson have hosted a number of Michael Hill International Violin Competition contestants over the years, including winner Nikki Chooi twice, and his brother Timothy at this year's… Read more Audio

Richard Panting gets his hands on some exceptional instruments, as the dedicated luthier for the Michael Hill International Violin Competition. Audio

Australian-Ukrainian violinist plays live and speaks to Eva ahead of his appearance as development prize winner at the Michael Hill International Violin Competition. Audio

Young Uck Kim is one of South Korea's most well-respected musicians: as a violinist, teacher and chamber musician, in Queenstown to join the Michael Hill International Violin Competition. Read more Audio

Eva talks to the namesake and the force behind Queenstown's Michael Hill International Violin Competition. Read more Audio

Ensemble Polymnia present an all-Hungarian programme this Sunday, with works by Liszt, Bartok, and Szony, along with the 'Psalmus Hungaricus' by Kodaly. Audio

Italian pianist Christian Leotta is well-versed in Beethoven's Sonatas: he's been playing them since he was just 22, the youngest pianist since Daniel Barenboim to tackle the whole cycle. Audio

'30 years under the Grylls' is a tribute by the University of Auckland Chamber Choir to its fearless leader: conductor Karen Grylls. She looks back on her time with the choir. Audio