PRESENTED TO ... Joshua Kirk (25)

Former Takapuna Grammar student

Joshua Kirk is on a pathway to becoming a professional conductor. He was a recipient of an AIMES Emerging Talent Award in 2021/22.

Joshua was a high achiever at Takapuna Grammar. A prefect, he was awarded a Gold Merit badge for sustained excellence in cocurricular activities, the Orchestra Trophy for Orchestral Leadership, and the Barbershop Trophy for outstanding service to a chorus. He was also involved in the wider community through sport and as a member of the North Shore Youth Brass Band.

Joshua’s musical journey started with attending music classes at age 4. At age 6 he began playing the piano, at 9 the violin, the euphonium at 14, he then took singing and musical theatre lessons at school.

Joshua majored in Classical Performance at the University of Auckland, graduating with a Bachelor of Music (First Class Honours) majoring in viola performance in 2019. In 2020/2021 he completed an Honours degree in conducting at the University of Adelaide.

Joshua says that during his music studies it became clear that he was most passionate about conducting. “I had always been obsessed with the concept of the orchestra; the idea that 70 or more people all perform incredibly complex individual roles to achieve a single, unified effect is astounding… that drew me to pursue conducting professionally.”

In 2018, Joshua approached Maestro Giordano Bellincampi, the Musical Director of the Auckland Philharmonia, to ask if he would allow him to attend rehearsals to observe and learn from him. Joshua says that since then, he has been very generous with the time he has given to him, enabling the learning of conducting technique, rehearsal strategies, and general musical concepts that arose from the specific works the orchestra was rehearsing.

Joshua also had the opportunity to conduct the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra three times, and in 2020 was selected for Conducting as a member of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Fellowship Programme, where he had the opportunity to conduct the NZSO National Youth Orchestra in rehearsal under the guidance of Principal Conductor in Residence Hamish McKeich.

Joshua says his biggest achievement has been participating in the 2022 Järvi Conducting Academy in Estonia, made possible by the 2021/22 AIMES Emerging Talent Award grant.

All the conducting teachers that he has worked with in Adelaide, New Zealand and Estonia have suggested he look to study towards a Masters degree in Europe. Recommending Zurich University of the Arts, Amsterdam University of the Arts, University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar.

AIMES Award grant funds will contribute significantly to covering expenses involved with Joshua’s future conducting training opportunities.