Royal Medal Awarded to USQ Music Lecturer

USQ Music Lecturer, Dr Marilyn Meier-Kapavale was awarded a Royal Medal for Services to Culture by King George Tupou V of Tonga.

The Grand Cross in the Most Illustrious Order of Queen Salote Tupuo III was to have been given to Marilyn at a special session at the King's recent coronation ceremony usually reserved for members of the royal family. Unfortunately she was not able to attend the event due to illness.

Dr Meier-Kapavale said it was an unexpected and amazing honour for her to be awarded such a prestigious medal, listed with other members of the Tongan Royal Family.

'Tonga is very dear to my heart as my late mother was from Tonga and over the past 20 years I have enjoyed organising tours of orchestras there and performing regularly in various concerts and at royal birthday celebrations,' she said.

Described by the eminent pianist and teacher Bela Siki as one of the most talented pianists of her generation, Marilyn Meier-Kapavale's extraordinary critical acclaim has established her as one of the foremost interpreters of the piano today.

Dr Marilyn Meier-Kapavale is an Australian pianist from a multicultural background - Tongan mother and Australian-born German father. She started piano studies at the age of four, went on to study in the USA with Bela Siki at the College-Conservatory at the University of Cincinnati, USA and at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. She completed her Doctoral studies at the University of Wollongong in Australia.

Dr Meier-Kapavale is in regular demand as a performer and piano competition adjudicator. She has recorded three albums available on compact disc, titled Just Chopin, Liszt Legends and Country Gardens. Her research interests include piano and performance practices and techniques, the music of Frederic Chopin and Tongan music.

Media Contact:  Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2559