Bernadette Harvey DMA (Eastman USA) ASCM (Associate Sydney Conservatorium of Music) (aka Bernadette Harvey Balkus) is an Australian concert pianist and Senior Lecturer at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.[1][2]

A prodigy at the age of 2½ when she won her first medal in a Sydney Eisteddfod,[3][4] she has given concerts all over the world and collaborated with leading Australian and international conductors and orchestras, chamber ensembles and distinguished colleagues such as Stuart Challender, Patrick Thomas, Marc-Andre Hamelin, Pierre Jalbert, Ani Kavafian, David Shifrin as well as the Prazak, Tokyo and Shanghai Quartets and in 2019 the Canadian Jupiter Quartet.[5][6] Although she is acclaimed for her performances of the traditional canon of music, her preference is for original contemporary piano music.[7]

She has pioneered and premiered the works of many Australian and American composers in Australia and overseas, including Matthew Hindson, Nigel Westlake, Ross Edwards, Tim Dargaville, Pierre Jalbert, Kevin Puts, Gordon Kerry, Carl Vine, Jane Stanley, Melody Eötvös and Donald Hollier.

As Artistic Director of the 3rd Australian Women's Festival in 1997[8] she showcased the compositions of eighty (80) emerging Australian female composers, including many working abroad.

Personal edit

She is the sister of fellow pianist Michael Kieran Harvey.

Awards edit

Mo Awards edit

The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the Mo Awards), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016.[9]

Year Nominee / work Award Result (wins only)
1998 Bernadette Balkus and Michael Kieran Harvey Classical Performance of the Year Won

References edit

  1. ^ Harvey, Bernadette. "Staff Profile". The University of Sydney. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  2. ^ Zwartz, Barney (24 October 2017). "Sydney piano concert The Sonata Project to capture the romance of the salon". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  3. ^ Railway Institute Eisteddfod, 1969
  4. ^ Discover Musica Viva, Bernadette Harvey. September 2020. https://musicaviva.com.au/media/filer_public/d9/75/d9755027-b743-4f17-9835-0782fe7a3815/0920_142_nr_discovermva_harvey_concertguide_v2.pdf
  5. ^ Burch, Cathalena (21 March 2013). "Tucson Winter Chamber Music Festival makes musical magic". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  6. ^ Eslake, Stephanie (14 September 2019). "Bernadette Harvey reckons streaming has "returned chamber music to its birthplace"". Cutcommon. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  7. ^ Burch, Cathalena (8 March 2018). "Chamber fest exposes beauty in the middle of chaos". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  8. ^ Winner of Sounds Australian Award for distinguished service to Australian music (1997).
  9. ^ "MO Award Winners". Mo Awards. Retrieved 16 March 2022.