Thirteen-year-old Australian violinist Edward Walton has been selected as one of the 44 young violinists to compete at this year’s prestigious Menuhin Competition to be held in Richmond, Virginia in the US.

Walton, who is studying with Dr Robin Wilson, Head of Violin at Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM), is the only Australian in the line-up of competitors. Last year he took out the top prize at Italy’s Piccolo Violino Magico Competition.

“I’m really excited to be participating in the Menuhin Competition because it offers such amazing learning and performance opportunities. Also, I am so excited to be playing in front of such an incredible jury and to meet other young musicians who are as enthusiastic about playing the violin as I am,” said Walton.

Edward Walton. Photograph supplied

Dubbed “the Olympics of the Violin”, the Menuhin Competition is held every two years in a different location. This year it will be hosted in Richmond, Virginia, by a consortium of local institutions headed by the Richmond Symphony, and will run from May 14 – 24.

The selected competitors were chosen from 321 applicants and are divided into two groups – 22 Juniors (aged 15...