Nicola Stevenson (2024)

The jury chose Nicola Stevenson with her research on "Blowing Zen on the Silver Flute: A performance guide for shakuhachi-inspired repertoire wriLen for the Western silverflute" as the winner. The jury appreciated the originality of the topic and the clear way the context was explained in the thesis. The chosen method that resulted in a practical guide was also praised by the jury, as it demonstrates the relevance for other musicians interested in this repertoire. The jury pointed out that the study could have benefited from interviews with the composers. However, Nicola's well-structured presentation of her research, in which she played music examples herself, impressed the jury.

Nicola Stevenson is a Scottish flautist and piccolo player who is currently based in Amsterdam, having recently completed a Masters degree at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. She has performed orchestrally with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Camerata and the Opera de Baugé Festival Orchestra and has received training in the Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland. She has a particular interest in contemporary music and has recently performed in Tivoli Vredenburg as soloist in a work for electric glissando flute and percussion ensemble, workshopped and performed a new opera as part of the Opera Forward Festival in Het Nationale Opera en Ballet and she collaborates regularly with composers for performances of new works.