Coloratura soprano Calla Knudson and composer and musicologist Ihlara McIndoe are the winners of the 2022 Arts Excellence Awards for the South Island, each receiving $5000 towards their future studies from the Dame Malvina Major Foundation.

This is the first year the awards, administered by the Foundation’s Christchurch Committee, have been extended beyond Canterbury to young artists across the South Island. Both recipients call Ōtepoti Dunedin home.

Calla Knudson is currently completing her Honours year in Music at the University of Otago and will use the funding to further her education in the study of classical voice through a Master’s qualification and other professional development opportunities in the coming year.

University of Otago graduate Ihlara McIndoe will use the award towards funding a Master’s in Musicology at the Schulich School of Music at McGill University in Montreal, Canada.