Apart from being one of this country’s most talented rising stars, Lloyd Van’t Hoff (clarinet 2014) has a determined drive and infectious energy that leaves you wondering if there is truth to the rumour that anything is indeed possible.
It also helps that Lloyd is a genuine all-round nice guy. Incredibly humble about his achievements, he has taken home the 2015 ABC Symphony Australia Young Performer of the Year award, and the Triffitt Prize, and was a finalist in the Melbourne Recital Centre’s Great Romantics competition.
Not only this, but Lloyd has dazzled crowds as a soloist with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Victoria, and as guest Principal Clarinet with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Melbourne Chamber Orchestra.
However his work with Arcadia Winds and the announcement of the group as Musica Viva’s inaugural ‘FutureMakers’ keeps Lloyd on his toes. ‘I still don’t know who nominated us’ he says, with an obvious gratitude that someone took the time to do so. ‘The program has injected us with ideas, and posed many questions, like what does it mean to create music in the world in which we live today.’
Arcadia Winds was born through ANAM and went on to secure the coveted Chamber Music Competition, an ANAM fellowship, and now appearances at festivals across the country and a two-week tour of China through the FutureMakers program.
Although all five members are ANAM alumni, their history goes back much further, with 4 out of 5 members studying at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. Lloyd completed his Bachelor of Music (Honours) there, under the tutelage of Floyd Williams and Paul Dean (former ANAM Artistic Director), and was encouraged to apply to ANAM directly after. Interestingly enough, Lloyd knew very little about the Australian National Academy of Music before he moved down to Melbourne to undertake the three-year professional performance program.
Since this time of course, Lloyd has gone from strength to strength, and has learnt to take advantage of all of the opportunities that come his way.
And what does the future hold for a musician who has been described as having ‘spectacular brilliance, charisma and sensitivity’? ‘I'm grateful for all the adventures that my freelance career has taken me on so far. I'd love to keep learning, exploring and living my life through this portfolio career, all whist sharing my music making with audiences all around the world’.
Well whether it is orchestral, chamber or solo performances, audiences are certainly on the edge of their seats, waiting to hear more from this remarkable musician.
Profile last updated in 2017