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‘An assured and captivating performance by young violinist Niki Vasilakis in Ross Edward's Maninyas concerto said it all: here may our stars be born’.
Sydney Morning Herald, October 2003 - Sydney Opera House 30th Birthday celebration
‘Australian violin prodigy, voluptuous of tone, expression and demeanor’.
Dominion, April 2002, Wellington NZ
‘The large house responded warmly to local violinist Nicole Vasilakis as she fearlessly powered through the Glazunov A minor concerto who enjoyed a near-faultless run.’
Melbourne Town Hall - The Age, September 2004
‘Niki Vasilakis performed this romantic and technically challenging work with consummate ease and sensitivity. One imagines she has a bright future.’
The Mercury, October 2004, Tasmania
‘Sensitive synchronicity of violin and orchestra, a rare joy. Vasilakis approached it with a tender kind of love, with a smooth velvet tone. Her playing was sensitively crafted and articulated.’
The Courier Mail August 2005
Niki Vasilakis is regarded as one of the most exciting violinists to have emerged from Australia in recent years. Her appearances on Australian television on programmes such as the Nine Network’s A Current Affair, Today Show, SBS ‘Classical Destinations’ and a busy international schedule of concerts and recording, have already made her name familiar to a wide public.
Niki commenced her violin studies in Adelaide at the age of four, and has since received many awards, including the Elder Conservatorium Concerto Prize, the Nelly Apt Scholarship, and the Perry Hart Memorial Prize (twice). She has been repeatedly successful in music competitions, winning the Gisborne International and the Hunts Master Performers National Instrumental Competitions, among others. In 2003 she won the String Final of Symphony Australia’s Young Performer of the Year, the premier competition in Australasia for talented young musicians.
Now one of Australia’s busiest soloists, Niki has performed with the Melbourne, Tasmanian, Symphony Orchestras, Orchestra Victoria, as well as the Queensland Orchestra. In January 2004 she appeared with the Sydney Symphony in the Symphony in the Domain, to an audience of more than 100,000 people. This followed her successful debut with that orchestra for the Sydney Opera House’s 30th Anniversary celebrations.
International orchestras with whom she has performed include the Wellington Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand, Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra of China in July 2004 and the Prague Symphony Orchestra.
Niki was nominated for Young Australian of the Year in 2003 and 2004 in recognition of her outstanding achievements in music and her extensive commitment to community work, including volunteer programs and teaching community groups. In October 2003 she was included in The Bulletin magazine’s ‘Smart 100’ list.
Niki was Artist in Residence at St Andrew’s Cathedral School in Sydney for four years (2000-2004) while completing her Bachelor of Music; Performance at The Australian Institute Of Music Sydney with ‘First Class Honours.’ Niki is a guest Performer at the National Academy of Music Melbourne while completing her Post Graduate studies at the Elder Conservatorium of Music.
Future plans include short term study in Israel and visiting Africa to play to impoverished communities. Niki will be guest soloist with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra in ‘Symphony in the park’ 2007, featuring in ‘Ovation’ series and a new feature film project on Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’ called “4” with violinists Pekka Kussisto and Jimmy Lin.
Niki also presented a new television series about music called Classical Destinations aired in Australia on SBS and BBC international.
Recent engagements for Niki Vasilakis include a guest performance for the Australian Prime Minister at a State Dinner, Performances at the Rockefeller Centre New York for the Anzac day memorial, UN head quarters New York, Washington Cathedral, Athens Olympic Torch Celebrations Sydney Opera House.
Niki’s has recently released her debut Album with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra with ABC Classics.
Niki plays an Antonio Guadagnini Violin 1872