In collaboration with the University of Auckland, Catherine and Jesse bring us an exciting programme which comprises four-hand piano works and solo performances, ranging from the mid-eighteenth century to the twentieth century. 

As a duet, they present Mozart’s Sonata in D major K.381. Composed in the Galant style, it features elegant melodies, simplicity, and clarity. They will also play Mendelssohn’s Andante and Allegro Brillante, salon music graced with polished elegance and craftsmanship. This duet is almost never played in the piano four-hands repertoire - a hidden gem for sure! The concert will also explore solo performances, including Ravel’s Ondine, Prokofiev’s Piano Sonata No. 7... and more!

Catherine and Jesse are both students from the University of Auckland. Jesse is currently under the tutelage of Sarah Watkins and Bryan Sayer, and Catherine is studying under Richard Liu.

At the University, Jesse is a recipient of the Kathleen Mary Reardon Memorial Music Scholarship and the Carl and Alberta Rosenfeldt Prize in Chamber Music. Other awards include Llewelyn Jones Prize in Music for Piano (1st Prize)  and First at the Sixth Virtuoso International Competition in Korea. Additionally, he is a member of the APO’s Aspiring Musicians Program. Aside from piano playing, Jesse is also a passionate violinist and violist.

Catherine was awarded Runner-up and Peoples' Choice at the National Young Performer of the Year Award and also 'Best Performance of a NZ work' at the National Piano Competition in 2022. Catherine gave her debut solo recital last year as part of the Lewis Eady Charitable Trust Emerging Artists' Series, and is a current APO Haydn Staples Piano Scholar.