University of Queensland’s School of Music graduate Eleanor Hill has received over $90,000 in funding to attend the Royal Academy of Music in London.
Eleanor initially received an academy tuition scholarship worth £24,000 (AUD 45,000) that she earned through an audition process in December 2018 when applying for postgraduate study.
She was subsequently awarded the Brisbane Council Lord Mayor’s Young and Emerging Artist Fellowship valued at $20,000 in addition to a Career Development Grant, worth a further $25,000, from the Australia Council for the Arts.
These scholarships and grants have enabled Eleanor to fully fund her tuition costs and will contribute meaningfully to her living expenses while studying as an international student in London.
“I wanted to study overseas as the wealth of opportunity and tradition will greatly assist me in further developing my skills,” Eleanor said.
The Academy has amazing international artists visiting every week and in the month and a half that Eleanor has been at the Academy, she was involved in the Academy Chamber Orchestra led by eminent violinist Lorenza Borrani (Concertmaster of Chamber Orchestra of Europe) and in the Academy Symphony Orchestra conducted by renowned British conductor Sir Mark Elder.
During her short time at the Academy she has participated in masterclasses with James Ehnes, members of the Doric String Quartet, Robert Cohen and Rodney Friend, and will soon attend a lecture delivered by Sir Elton John as he returns to the institution where he studied.
Reflecting on her recent studies and move to London, Eleanor said there are free concerts to attend nearly every day and the cultural scene in London is so rich and varied.
“There is a long list of impressive alumni from the Academy of Music who have continuing strong associations with the institution,” she said.
Eleanor graduated with a Bachelor of Music (Honours) from The University of Queensland in 2018, majoring in violin performance.
Her teacher at UQ, Associate Professor Adam Chalabi said the award of a substantial scholarship to study at one of the world’s foremost music education establishments is an endorsement of Eleanor’s undoubted talent as well just reward for the hard work and dedication that she displayed throughout her four years at UQ’s School of Music.
“It is also a reflection of the School of Music’s pursuit of excellence in music performance and that academically informed students like Eleanor are better equipped with the skills to achieve success once they leave UQ - as her subsequent fundraising efforts demonstrate,” he said.
