MOST is proud to announce that the 2018 ABC Young Performer of the Year is Emily Sun.

The Grand Final of the ABC Symphony Australia Young Performers Awards was held on 24 July 2018 in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House before an audience of over 800 people.
Emily was named the winner after her masterful performance of Beethoven’s monumental Violin Concerto in D accompanied by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra conducted by Nicholas Milton. The concert also included thrilling performances from two other Finalists, Oliver Shermacher (NSW) performing the Weber Clarinet Concerto No. 1 in F minor and Kevin Chow (VIC) performing Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2.

The ABC Young Performer of the Year wins:

• $50,000 AETT Scholarship: A scholarship to study overseas presented by the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust
• $30,000 Sheila Walker Scholarship: a cash grant to assist with a programme of study or musical activity sponsored by Mr David Walker
• They also become the ABC Classic FM Artist in Residence and will have the opportunity to record an album at the ABC, guided by the expertise of its specialist music production team; and
• A limited-edition Drago Marin Cherina bronze trophy. Presented by Music & Opera Singers Trust.

Emily also won:
The Sydney Symphony Orchestra Prize – a professional engagement for a performance with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Prize – a professional engagement for a performance wIth the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra Prize – An opportunity for a professional engagement with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
The Melbourne Recital Centre Prize – An opportunity for a finalist to appear at the Recital Centre in 2018 or 2019
The Ukaria Recital Prize – an opportunity to perform a recital in the UKARIA Cultural Centre, Adelaide Hills
The City Recital Hall Prize – An opportunity to perform a solo recital as part of City Recital Hall’s A Little Lunch Music Series
The YMF Award for Best Recital – a total award of $25,000 for best Recital at the Semi Finals

Kevin Chow was awarded the Triffit Bequest for runner-up and the Australian Festival of Chamber Music Prize, an opportunity to perform at the 2020 Australian Festival of Chamber Music
Oliver Shermacher was awarded the Triffit Bequest for runner-up; the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra Prize, a professional engagement with the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra; and, the Kitty Fischer Audience Choice Prize, $2,500 for the performer chosen as the audience favourite.