Classical musician Katharina Fehringer, winner of the Charles Darwin University Arts Award in the 2006 Young Achiever Awards, has won the top spot as The Young Achiever of the Year for the Northern Territory.
Katharina, 22, majored in Classical Guitar at CDU. The Bachelor of Music graduate then learned the flamenco guitar in Spain and studied under Carlo Barrone in Italy, Pavl Steidl in Belgium and Walfin Lieske in Germany. She comes from Wulagi and is well-respected in Darwin as a classical guitarist, violinist, music teacher and performing artist.
Charles Darwin University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Helen Garnett awarded Katharina the Arts Award at the Northern Territory Young Achiever Awards dinner, applauding Katharina’s dedication to her art.
"This CDU-sponsored arts award recognises brilliant artistic achievement—something which Katharina Fehringer has in spades. Tonight’s award acknowledges Katharina’s flair to produce inspirational work," said Professor Garnett.
"By sponsoring this award, we are saying to the Territory that your local university supports the diversity and innovation of young people working in the arts. We are particularly proud that Katharina is a Charles Darwin University graduate and that her talent and musicianship was fostered during her time with us," said Professor Garnett.
Katharina Fehringer learned her trade under the guardianship of Adrian Walter, the former Head of the School of Music and now Charles Darwin University’s Dean of the Law Business Arts faculty.
She has performed around Australia and across Europe, receiving several arts scholarships and awards including a guitar scholarship with the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she is recording a CD of 19th Century guitar music.
In 2005 Katharina was the only Australian invited to perform with The Netherlands Guitar Orchestra touring Holland, Belgium and Amsterdam. She also attended Guitar School at the Canberra School of Music and participated in the Newcastle International Guitar Festival.
Katharina has been a violinist with the Darwin Symphony Orchestra, a member of the Charles Darwin University Chamber Orchestra and various other ensembles, including a Filipino string band.
She has been accepted at one of England's most prestigious music institutions, the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester (UK), where she will study with Craig Ogden, the first winner of the Shell Darwin International Guitar Festival Competition held at CDU (then NTU) in 1993.
The other talented finalists for the Arts Award are Araluen Naminapu Maymuru, 26, of Yirrkala, a talented artist, printmaker and Finn O’Branagain, 18, of Wulagi, a performer, writer, director and graphic designer.