Biography
Niki Vasilakis is regarded as one of the most exciting
violinists to have emerged from Australia. Her regular
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appearances on Australian Television networks,
magazines, newspapers and a busy international
schedule of concerts and recordings have already made
her name familiar to a wide public.
One of Australia’s popular soloists, Niki has
performed with the Melbourne, Tasmanian, Adelaide
Symphony Orchestras, Orchestra Victoria, as well
as the Queensland Orchestra. In January 2004 she
appeared with the Sydney Symphony in the Symphony
in the Domain, to an audience of more than 100,000
people. This followed her successful debut with
that orchestra for the Sydney Opera House’s 30th
Anniversary celebrations.
International orchestras with whom she has
performed include the Wellington Symphony
Orchestra, Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra and the
Prague Symphony Orchestra.
Recent engagements for Niki Vasilakis include
performing with Steven Isserlis at the International
Music Seminar, Prussia Cove, Performances at the
Rockefeller Centre New York for the Anzac day
memorial, UN head quarters New York, Washington
Cathedral, Athens Olympic Torch Celebrations Sydney
Opera House and ‘Symphony in the park’ as soloist
with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra with a live
audience of 30,000 people.
Niki joins Kathryn Selby and Emma-Jane Murphy
in Australia’s premier piano trio ‘TrioZ, and has
collaborated in chamber music with Musicians
including, Steven Isserlis, Henri Sigfridsson,
Alexander Baillie, Rita Reichman, Julian Smiles, Irina
Morozova and Asmira Woodward-Page. Niki has
graced the pages of ‘Vogue’ magazine, appeared on
‘Spicks and Specks’ and many other regular television
appearances.
Niki released her debut album with ABC Classics
self titled with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
featuring the Mendelssohn and Bruch violin concertos
and was nominated for an ‘ARIA’ award for her
performance.
She featured as a presenter and performer in the
popular television show ‘Classical Destinations’ which
has aired in over 26 countries and features in the new
film called “4” based on Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with
violinists Pekka Kuusisto, Cho-Liang ‘Jimmy’ Lin and
Sayaka Shoji.
Niki is currently Young South Australian of the Year
2008 in recognition of her outstanding achievements
in music and her extensive commitment to
community work, including volunteer programs and
teaching community groups.
Today Niki continues her commitment to the wider
community with regular visits to central Australia to
run holiday music programs with indigenous children.
Niki donates her time to be the ambassador of both
‘Suzuki’ South Australia and ‘The Australian String
teachers Association’ where she works to encourage
and inspire young individuals. Niki is newly appointed
patron for the Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation.
Niki plays an Antonio Guadagnini Violin 1872.
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.