Valda Silvy, OAM
Valda Silvy, OAM has been a tireless champion of young emerging artists and composers and has the respect and admiration of all in the music industry. She has made many great contributions to music in Western Sydney, including founding the Penrith Conservatorium of Music almost 30 years ago.
The Silvy Medal
The SILVY MEDAL is an annual student award since 2019 that honours the work of Valda Silvy, OAM, who has been instrumental and highly influential in shaping the musical landscape of Western Sydney, and in particular the Penrith region. The Medal acknowledges the tireless efforts of Valda Silvy and recognizes the musical potential and dedication of one emerging musician at Penrith Conservatorium.
The Silvy Medal is an annual encouragement award for excellence for any student (no age restriction), nominated by their tutor, who they believe is deserving and will benefit from the recognition and the prizes of the concerts included in this medal. Since 2019, the medal has been awarded and presented at the Conservatorium Concert followed by a performance by the recipient.
Criteria and Prizes
The criteria for nominations are:
/Be a current student at Penrith Conservatorium
/The student is nominated by their teacher
/The student must have completed at least one full year of individual tuition at Penrith Conservatorium
/Open to all ages
/Must be available to perform at the Conservatorium Concert
We are on the search for our next Silvy Medalist!
Penrith Con tutors will nominate one student, and we will be in touch with the nominees.
Past Silvy Medal Recipients
2023 Recipient
John Paul Foong – 2023 Silvy Medal Recipient
John Paul was nominated for the Silvy Medal by his tutor, Nadia Koudasheva, in recognition of his consistent dedication and hard work throughout 2023. In his application, he shared the following personal reflection:
“Receiving the Silvy Medal would inspire and motivate me to continue learning, practicing, and performing with the goal of achieving musical excellence. It would bring me closer to my dreams to pursue a career in music.”
2022 Recipient
Mia Domjan – 2022 Silvy Medal Recipient
Mia was nominated for the Silvy Medal by her tutor, John Hines, in recognition of her consistent dedication and hard work throughout 2022. In her application, she shared the following personal reflection:
“My goal in receiving the Silvy Medal is to inspire and motivate myself to keep practicing and refining my skills. I plan to display it in my room so that I can see it every day as a reminder to keep pushing forward.”
2021 Recipient
Nathanael Liawinata – 2021 Silvy Medal Recipient
Nathanael was nominated by his tutor, Saadet Dagistanli in acknowledgement of his consistence and hard work across 2021. In his application, he stated:
“I know music isn’t just playing notes, it’s playing the notes with all the details. If I ever win my prize, it will be a big encouragement for my future piano learning“
2020 Recipient
Kaleb Irawan – 2020 Silvy Medal Recipient
Congratulations Kaleb! We are proud to award you as the recipient of the 2020 Silvy Medal. Kaleb had been nominated by his tutor, Eugenie Tamplon in acknowledgement of his consistence and hard work across 2020. In his application, he stated:
“If I win the Silvy medal, the award will make me proud as well as my parents and my
teachers to win such a prestigious award and encourage me to learn even more
instruments so I can become a better musician. I have worked very hard to claim
this award which will result in helping my music career grow and benefit.”
Well done Kaleb! We hope this will inspire you to continue your music journey.
Watch him play here:
2019 Recipient
Jessie Kristyono – 2019 Silvy Medal Recipient
Congratulations! Jessie was nominated by her teacher Teri Everard-Hughes before being selected as the first recipient of the Silvy Medal. Her dedication and achievements in not only music but also her violin achievements impressed Penrith Conservatorium and this prize was awarded her in the hopes that it will continue to inspire and encourage further music learning.
THE 2019 PRIZES IN THE SILVY MEDAL INCLUDED:
/Double passes to a Sydney Symphony Orchestra performance
/Double passes to an Australian Brandenburg Orchestra performance
/Double passes to an Andrew McKinnon production
/Double passes to a performance at The Joan
Want to be in the running for the 2025 Silvy Medal? Simply enrol in private lessons at Penrith Conservatorium – all eligible students are automatically in the running, provided the criteria are met.
Email: conservatorium@penrith.city
Phone: 02 4723 7611