High School Rathgar Student is 2022 winner

Top Security is delighted to announce that violinist Daimee Ng (17) a sixth-year student at High School in Rathgar, Dublin is the 2022 winner of the Frank Maher Classical Music Awards. Daimee was one of six finalists at the competition night on Friday 28th October 2022 in the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin.

Lyric FM presenter Marty Whelan was master of ceremonies for an evening of outstanding teen musical talent.  Daimee performed two pieces – ‘Gavotte en Rondeau from Violin Partita Lo.3 in E Major, BWV 106’ by composer Johann Sebastian Bach and ‘Valse-Scherzo in C Major, Op.34’ by Tchaikovsky.

The 2020 winner, violinist Julieanne Forrest from Meath, now studying at MUK Vienna, was the guest performer on the night.

The Awards were created in 2001 by Top Security chairman Emmet O’Rafferty to honour the memory of his late teacher, Fr Frank Maher, who taught music at Castleknock College in Dublin. Emmet said “Congratulations to Daimee Ng on joining our pantheon of extremely talented winners. Father Frank Maher was an inspiring mentor in many areas of school life, but he was especially passionate about classical music. We were particularly delighted to have his niece Ruth Maher as our special guest on the night and I want to wish our winner Daimee and our other five finalists the very best of luck for the future. “

Commenting on her win, Daimee said “It was a fantastic night and I plan to use my prize money to attend masterclasses and auditions in Ireland and abroad.”

The other five finalists each received a €300 bursary.  They were Lucy Lele Byrne (18) Institute of Education, Dublin (Piano); Alexander Krylov (17), Luttrellstown Community College, Dublin (Classical Guitar); Grace Mulcahy-O’Sullivan (17), Mount Mercy College, Cork (Flute); Elena O’Connor (18), Muckross Park College, Dublin (Cello) and Dawid Walega (16), Boyne Community College, Meath (Piano).

The judging panel was Dr Gerard Gillen, emeritus professor of music at NUI Maynooth, Dr Kerry Houston, head of academic studies at TU Dublin Conservatory of Music and Drama and international classical pianist, Veronica McSwiney.

Dr Gerard Gillen, chair of the judging panel, said “Congratulations to this year’s winner, Daimee Ng, on her excellent performance, during which she showcased her musical accomplishments alongside her ability to convey the joy and emotion of the music to the audience.”