Prizewinners Announced at Australia's ABC Young Performer Awards for 2022

Flautist Eliza Shephard took the top prize of $25,000 AUD, as well as professional engagements and a residency

Presented by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and the Music and Opera Singers' Trust (MOST), Australia's ABC Young Performer Award went to 29-year-old Victoria flutist Eliza Shephard.

Currently a teaching assistant at Monash University, Shephard studied with Virginia Taylor at the Australian National University before completing her graduate study at the Griffith University Conservatorium. She was also the 2021 recipient of the Classical Freedman Fellowship.

With the ABC award, Shephard received a cash prize of $25,000 and the Youth Music Foundation of Australia Award, valued at $5,000. In addition, she will take up several engagements with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Melbourne Recital Centre, and will become the ABC Classical Artist in Residence.

The jury was comprised of violinist Dene Olding (chair), cellist Susan Blake, Sydney Symphony Orchestra concertmaster Andrew Haveron, horn player Robert Johnson, double bassist Andrew Meisel, composer Paul Stanhope, pianist Simon Tedeschi, and flutist Janet Webb.

“Winning the ABC Young Performers Awards is truly a momentous occasion in my career so far,” Shephard said. “I’m so honored to be joining the incredible legacy of so many great YPA-winning performers who I admire and have been inspired by all throughout my years of playing.”

“Eliza is a tremendously exciting Young Performer of the Year," said Roland Gridiger, the CEO of the Music and Opera Singers’ Trust.

"Her passion and enthusiasm are infectious. I believe she will be a wonderful advocate for the YPA and for other young Australian musicians.”

You can hear Shephard's performance of House Music, by the Australian composer Matthew Hindson, below. This performance also features pianist Peter de Jager and percussionist Alexander Meagher.