Martin A. Walton Memorial Scholarships

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Young Student of the Year

First Prize & Scholarship

30-minute lessons in the student’s instrument for the 2024-2025 school year, First-Third Terms (not transferable).

Second & Third Prizes

Certificates and vouchers for Waltons New School of Music or Waltons Music.

About the Scholarship

This Scholarship is awarded for musical ability and potential, as well as for progress over the school year, as determined by New School faculty adjudicators. Candidates are nominated by their teachers. The Scholarship winner, as well as Second and Third Prize winners, are expected to perform in the New School’s End-of-Year Student Concert. (See School Concerts for more information.)

Eligibility

Students of all instruments (including voice) and music genres, aged 18 and under on 22 June 2024 (the end of our 2023-2024 Third Term), who will have been enrolled at the New School for at least 18 consecutive weeks by 22 June. Scholarship First Prize winners may not enter the same competition category again.

See Past Scholarship • Prize Winners tab for previous winners of this Scholarship.

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Mature Student of the Year

First Prize & Scholarship

30-minute lessons in the student’s instrument for the 2024-2025 school year, First-Third Terms (not transferable).

Second & Third Prizes

Certificates and vouchers for Waltons New School of Music or Waltons Music.

About the Scholarship

This Scholarship is awarded for musical ability and potential, as well as for progress over the school year, as determined by New School faculty adjudicators. Candidates are nominated by their teachers. The Scholarship winner, as well as Second and Third Prize winners, are expected to perform in the New School’s End-of-Year Student Concert. (See School Concerts for more information.)

Eligibility

Students of all instruments (including voice) and music genres, aged 19 and over on 22 June 2024 (the end of our 2023-2024 Third Term), who will have been enrolled at the New School for at least 18 consecutive weeks by 22 June. Scholarship First Prize winners may not enter the same competition category again.

See Past Scholarship • Prize Winners tab for previous winners of this Scholarship.

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Most Promising Beginner

First Prize & Scholarship

30-minute lessons in the student’s instrument for the 2024-2025 school year, First-Third Terms (not transferable).

Second & Third Prizes

Certificates and vouchers for Waltons New School of Music or Waltons Music.

About the Scholarship

This Scholarship is awarded for musical ability and potential, as well as for progress over the school year, as determined by New School faculty adjudicators. Candidates are nominated by their teachers. The Scholarship winner, as well as Second and Third Prize winners, are expected to perform in the New School’s End-of-Year Student Concert. (See School Concerts for more information.)

Eligibility

Students of all instruments (including voice), and of all music genres and ages, who came to the New School as beginners on their chosen instrument during the 2023-2024 school year and who will have been enrolled at the New School for at least 18 consecutive weeks by 22 June 2024 (the end of our 2023-2024 Third Term). Scholarship First Prize winners may not enter the same competition category again.

See Past Scholarship • Prize Winners tab for previous winners of this Scholarship.

Ensemble Prize

Prize

€400, to be applied only towards tuition at Waltons New School of Music during the 2024-2025 school year, will be divided evenly among members of the ensemble.

About the Prize

The New School Ensemble Prize is awarded for the best ensemble performance in our Scholarship Competition, as well as for progress over the school year, as determined by New School faculty adjudicators. Candidates are nominated by their teachers. Prize winners are expected to perform in the New School’s End-of-Year Student Concert. (See School Concerts for more information.)

Eligibility

Instrumental, vocal or mixed ensembles made up of two or more students, who will have been enrolled at the New School for at least 18 consecutive weeks by 22 June 2024 (the end of our 2023-2024 Third Term). First Prize winners may not enter the same competition again.

Songwriting/Composition Prize

Prize

€300, to be applied only towards tuition at Waltons New School of Music during the 2024-2025 school year and is not transferable.

About the Prize

The New School Songwriting/Composition Prize is awarded for the most creative original composition or song for solo instrument, voice or ensemble, performed by the composer/songwriter alone or with group. Melodic instruments/singers may be accompanied by guitar, piano/keyboard or other instrument. Compositions/songs must be original, may be in any genre/style and should be no more than seven minutes long. Written music and/or lyrics should be supplied, if possible, to the New School faculty adjudicators. The prize will go to the composer/songwriter only.

Candidates are nominated by their teachers, and the Prize winner (with group, if applicable) is expected to perform in the New School’s End-of-Year Student Concert. (See School Concerts for more information.)

Eligibility

Students of all ages who will have been enrolled at the New School for at least 18 consecutive weeks by 22 June 2024 (the end of our 2023-2024 Third Term). First Prize winners may not enter the same competition again.

Past Scholarship • Prize Winners

2022-2023

Young Student of the Year
First Prize & full-year scholarship
Mia Challoner • Voice
(Sinéad Flynn • Teacher)
Second Prize
Twig McKenna • Piano
(Daniel Smith • Teacher)
Third Prize
Zoe Lin • Violin
(David Burns • Teacher)

Mature Student of the Year
First Prize & full-year scholarship
Carolin Zaniewicz • Piano
(Varo Khachatryan • Teacher)
Second Prize
Livia Bartolomé Vergel • Voice
(Sinéad Flynn • Teacher)
Third Prize
Laila McDonald • Voice
(Sinéad Flynn • Teacher)

Most Promising Beginner
First Prize & full-year scholarship
Charlie Weng • Piano
(Varo Khachatryan • Teacher)
Second Prize
Aoife Quinn • Voice
(Sinéad Flynn • Teacher)
Third Prize
Emmy Huang • Flute
(Andrew Keeling • Teacher)

2021-2022

Young Student of the Year
Sha Weng • Piano
Mature Student of the Year
Gráinne Blumenthal • Voice
Most Promising Beginner
Wei En Zheng • Piano

2020-2021

Young Student of the Year
Eric Xu • Piano
Mature Student of the Year
Emmagene Cooke • Voice
Most Promising Beginner
Noah Behan • Voice

2019-2020

Competition cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2018-2019

Young Student of the Year
Elizabeth McDonnell • Flute
Mature Student of the Year
Fiona Murphy • Piano
Most Promising Beginner
Noah Wang • Piano

2017-2018

Young Student of the Year
Tanishka Malhotra • Piano
Mature Student of the Year
Sophie Byrne • Voice
Most Promising Beginner
Lucas (Min Xuan) Chen • Piano

2016-2017

Young Student of the Year
Gene Paul Retardo • Piano
Mature Student of the Year
Myles O’Brien • Voice
Most Promising Beginner
Rachael McGlade • Voice
Kurzweil Piano Prize
Gene Paul Retardo

2015-2016

Young Student of the Year
Faolán Molloy • Piano
Mature Student of the Year
Mika Onodera • Voice
Most Promising Beginner
Louise Deyn • Cello
Kurzweil Piano Prize
Faolán Molloy

2014-2015

Young Student of the Year
Lucian Matei • Guitar
Mature Student of the Year
Claire McGowan • Voice
Most Promising Beginner
Aoibhinn Farrell • Voice
Ensemble Prize
Anna-Marie Jones, Feargus McDonnell,
Don Nolan, Gráinne Roche
Gibson Epiphone Guitar Prize
Lucian Matei

2013-2014

Young Student of the Year
Rory Rusnak • Piano
Mature Student of the Year
Declan Devine • Piano
Most Promising Beginner
Santiago Lejarza • Voice
Gibson Epiphone Guitar Prize
Christopher Hearty
Kurzweil Piano Prize
Rory Rusnak

2012-2013

Young Student of the Year
Bianca Lucaci • Piano
Mature Student of the Year
Christine Smyth • Voice
Most Promising Beginner
Peter Ryan • Piano
Gibson Epiphone Guitar Prize
Christopher Hearty • Guitar
Kurzweil Piano Prize
Bianca Lucaci • Piano

2011-2012

Young Student of the Year
Ita McGennis • Piano
Mature Student of the Year
Michael Bruce • Piano
Most Promising Beginner
Tatyana Larareva • Voice
Songwriting/Composition Prize
Conall Mullarkey
Kurzweil Piano Prize
Michael Bruce

2010-2011

Young Student of the Year
Gearóid Lane • Guitar
Mature Student of the Year
Marion Stack • Voice
Most Promising Beginner
Viktoras Tarvydas • Voice
Songwriting/Composition Prize
David Heagney
Gibson Epiphone Guitar Prize
Gearóid Lane

2009-2010

Young Student of the Year
Keith Stears • Piano
Mature Student of the Year
Robert Connell • Piano
Most Promising Beginner
Eamonn Coleman • Voice
Ensemble Prize
Flute Ensemble
Kurzweil Piano Prize
Keith Stears

2008-2009

Young Student of the Year
Oscar Martin • Violin
Mature Student of the Year
Aisling Roberts • Guitar
Most Promising Beginner
Arrah Angela Valenzona • Piano
Ensemble Prize
Adult String Ensemble
Gibson Epiphone Guitar Prize
Aisling Roberts
Kurzweil Piano Prize
Robert Connell

2007-2008

Young Student of the Year
Katerina Speranskey • Cello
Mature Student of the Year
Brid Gallagher • Voice
Most Promising Beginner
Eliza Saclolo • Piano
Ensemble Prize
Adult String Ensemble
Suzuki Piano Prize
Eliza Saclolo

2006-2007

Young Student of the Year
Teodor Iliu Radu • Piano
Mature Student of the Year
Chien Buggle • Guitar
Most Promising Beginner
Agata Wistocka • Violin
Ensemble Prize
Mia Bourke • Flute, Margaret Breen • Flute
Gibson Epiphone Guitar Prize
Chien Buggle
Suzuki Piano Prize
Teodor Iliu Radu

2005-2006

Young Student of the Year
Aoife Moroney • Flute
Mature Student of the Year
Mairéad Nic an Fhaili • Flute
Most Promising Beginner
Mark Angelo Bungcayao • Flute
Gibson Epiphone Guitar Prize
Richard Hegarty
Roland Piano Prize
David Daniels

2004-2005

Young Student of the Year
Clare Treacey • Voice
Mature Student of the Year
Kim O’Donnell • Piano
Roland Piano Prize
Kim O’Donnell

2003-2004

Young Student of the Year
Jennifer McBride • Clarinet
Mature Student of the Year
Anthony McGorian • Piano
Most Promising Beginner
Bella Davey • Clarinet
Gibson Epiphone Guitar Prize
Rossa Lowry-O’Reilly
Roland Piano Prize
Stephen Kenny

2002-2003

Young Student of the Year
Manus Goan • Guitar
Mature Student of the Year
Mary Laherty • Low Whistle
Most Promising Beginner
Jennifer McBride • Clarinet
Ensemble Prize
Rig-a-Jig
Gibson Epiphone Guitar Prize
Manus Goan
Roland Piano Prize
Anthony McGorian

2001-2002

Young Student of the Year
Caoimhe Monaghan • Piano
Mature Student of the Year
Carol Hayes • Piano
Most Promising Beginner
Sean Frayne • Cello
Gibson Epiphone Guitar Prize
Robert Narunovskis
Roland Piano Prize
Carol Hayes

2000-2001

Young Student of the Year
Niall O’Higgins • Guitar
Mature Student of the Year
Sam Jackson • Piano
Most Promising Beginner
Rebecca Collins • Guitar
Ensemble Prize
Eilish Keogh • Voice, Sam Jackson • Piano
Gibson Epiphone Guitar Prize
Rebecca Collins
Roland Piano Prize
Francisco Vidal

1999-2000

Young Student of the Year
Donna Robinson • Piano
Mature Student of the Year
J. J. Harrington • Piano
Most Promising Beginner
Laura Watson • Piano
Gibson Epiphone Guitar Prize
Niall O’Higgins
Roland Piano Prize
Yue-Fai Yuen

1998-1999

Young Student of the Year
Kevin Carberry • Flute
Mature Student of the Year
Fiona Byrne • Piano
Most Promising Beginner
Tom Lawlor • Voice
Ensemble Prize
Meljoann Ryan • Flute, Kevin Carberry • Flute
Gibson Epiphone Guitar Prize
Cormac Liston
Roland Piano Prize
Sam Jackson

1997-1998

Young Student of the Year
Lucy Caravello • Piano
Mature Student of the Year
Catherine Craven • Irish Harp
Most Promising Beginner
Colm McDonagh • Guitar
Ensemble Prize
Catherine Craven • Irish Harp, Mary Gregg • Irish Harp
Gibson Epiphone Guitar Prize
Colm McDonagh
Roland Piano Prize
Fiona Byrne

1996-1997

Young Student of the Year
Ciara Price • Piano
Mature Student of the Year
Yoko Taguma • Piano
Most Promising Beginner
Kanna Hashimoto • Button Accordion
Gibson Epiphone Guitar Prize
Roddy Hick, Redmond O’Toole

1995-1996

Young Student of the Year
Redmond O’Toole • Guitar
Mature Student of the Year
Mary Gregg • Irish Harp
Most Promising Beginner
Lucy Caravello • Piano

Comments by Past Competition Winners

Starting with the 2021 Scholarship Competition, we have asked prize winners for their thoughts about the experience. Here’s what they said.

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Young Student of the Year

‘Taking part in the Scholarship Competition really improved my confidence and gave me an opportunity to perform and do what I love. I never expected to win a scholarship, and when I did it really increased my self-belief and encouraged me to continue working on my voice. Thank you so much!’
– Mia Challoner
   First Prize 2023

‘We were very excited about participating the New School’s Scholarship Competition. We were both a bit nervous playing our pieces in front of the judges, but when we finished we were very happy that we tried our best. We were both really surprised that we had won prizes in the Scholarship Competition!’
– Jing Yi and Wilson Zhang
   Second Prize & Joint Third Prize 2022

‘I want to thank their teacher Sarah Cunningham for teaching them and also want to thank Waltons New School of Music for giving them a chance. I really appreciate it!’
– Yan Yan Su, Jing Yi and Wilson’s mother

‘When I was informed of Eric winning the Scholarship Competition, I couldn’t believe it. This was the first time he has entered the competition, and we were so excited. The competition has made him feel much more confident. Engaging with music has had a massive positive impact on his life, and it is transferable across all knowledge areas. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the school and to his teacher for the recognition and encouragement of Eric.’
– Xian Guo, Eric Xu’s mother
   First Prize 2021

‘I’ve been attending drum lessons in Waltons for around 12 years now. The Scholarship Competition gave me something other than a grading to work towards. I was able to take a step away from learning pieces from a book and take a more compositional approach to my performance. The enjoyment for me was in writing and recording my own piece. Coming Third in this great competition was an unexpected bonus.’
– Max Kaye
   Third Prize 2021

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Mature Student of the Year

‘The Scholarship Competition was a great way to motivate myself to practice more and work on my pieces. I tend to get a fair bit of stage fright when playing in front of people, but making it through the performance ultimately felt extremely rewarding. I’m very grateful for the experience and the valuable feedback from the judges. Winning the scholarship was a lovely surprise, and it has both given me more confidence and encouraged me to keep up the piano. A big Thank You to Varo Khachatryan, my teacher, for all the support, and to Waltons for providing such a warm and friendly place for music study in Dublin!’
– Carolin Zaniewicz
   First Prize 2023

‘I’ve been attending voice lessons with Sinéad Flynn for the last five years, and I have felt my confidence grow and my technique improve thanks to the effort both myself and Sinéad put in every week! It has been great to work towards the Scholarship Competition, as well as towards grade exams, in a relaxed and supportive environment, and I’ve really enjoyed the experience.’
– Laila McDonald
   Third Prize 2023

‘Having only started attending lessons with the New School at the end of last year, I felt very encouraged to compete in this year’s Scholarship Competition by my teacher, Sinéad Flynn, and experienced little pressure to do so. There was an emphasis on performing for myself and not focusing on the prize or on others, and as a result, it was a very enjoyable experience. The staff at Waltons were so enthusiastic as I was heading in, and the judges were a delight to perform for. Winning the scholarship was just a bonus!
   Winning this scholarship has given me an amazing confidence boost and has reassured me that my passion for singing is worth pursuing. Also, as a working performer, I believe it is hugely important to keep your instrument fine-tuned all of the time, and this scholarship has now provided some great financial relief for me. As a result, I am now able to focus on my craft and further develop my skills.’
– Gráinne Holmes Blumenthal
   First Prize 2022

‘This is the fifth year I have taken part in the Scholarship Competition, and I was delighted to learn that I got the joint third prize in the Mature Student of the Year competition this year. Participating in the Scholarship Competition is always a great experience, and I find the feedback from the adjudicators invaluable. The competition has given me a goal to work towards during the Third Term and see how much my singing has improved since I went back to my classes in January.
   I feel honoured to have received this prize. I think it is a great recognition of my hard work, and it has motivated me to keep learning and improving my singing. I want to thank my singing teacher Sinéad Flynn for her unconditional support and the school for giving me the opportunity to showcase all the work I have been doing during these months.’
– Livia Bartolomé Vergel
   Joint Third Prize 2021

‘After two years of singing lessons with Sinéad Flynn, we agreed that now would be a good time to challenge myself by entering the Mature Student of the Year competition. The competition was a fun way to showcase two pieces that I had learned. I gained two things from the Competition. First, participation in it boosted my confidence. And second, the feedback from the judges provided both myself and Sinéad with precise areas of improvement for the upcoming year. All of this would have been enough, but to also place Third in the competition really gave me an extra vote of confidence in myself.’
– Jack O’Connor
   Joint Third Prize 2021

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Most Promising Beginner

‘We are thrilled and grateful for this recognition of Charlie’s hard work and progress, and we’re delighted to share his excitement and gratitude. Winning the Most Promising Beginner Competition has motivated Charlie to continue pursuing his passion for music, and he is thankful for the opportunity it has provided him. Finally, we appreciate the New School’s dedication to fostering young talent, and we’re honoured to contribute our thoughts about the Scholarship Competition.’
– Edward Weng, father of Charlie Weng
   First Prize 2023

‘I was excited to be in the Scholarship Competition, but I was nervous while playing my pieces. After the competition, I felt much more confident playing the piano. I am very proud of myself for winning the award!’
– Wei En Zheng
   First Prize 2022

‘Thank you Waltons New School of Music and Wei En’s teacher Sarah Cunningham for the immense help that you gave to him throughout the year.’
– Shaomin Weng, Wei En’s mother

‘When I was nominated for the Scholarship Competition, it was a huge boost for my confidence. I really enjoyed taking part, and when I was told I won Second Prize I was over the moon! I loved it!’
– Ciara Jensen
   Second Prize 2021

‘From a parent’s perspective, I was delighted to see the confidence being nominated gave to Ciara. It has really encouraged her to take her music further!’
– Tyge Jensen, Ciara’s father

‘The Scholarship Competition was a great way to challenge myself to prepare two songs over a few weeks, with my teacher’s help, and present them to a jury. The fact that I got Third Prize playing drum kit, which may not be as melodic as some other instruments, shows that anyone can enter, no matter the instrument, and everyone has a chance at winning a prize. This was a great experience that I hope to repeat next year.’
– Bastien Carre
   Third Prize 2021