Monique Lapins

Monique began her life in music learning the violin by means of the Suzuki method. She has studied music at prestigious institutions, namely, the Elder Conservatorium of Music (Adelaide University), the Australian National Academy of Music (Melbourne), and the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (Singapore). Her principal violin teachers have included Nicholas Milton, James Cuddeford, William Hennessy, and Professor Qian Zhou. Monique has been mentored by members of the Tokyo, St. Lawrence, Australian, Shanghai and T’ang String Quartets. She has participated in numerous education programs including: the Ozawa International Chamber Music Academy, (Okushiga), the IMS Prussia Cove Masterclasses (UK), the International Holland Music Sessions (Netherlands), the Hyogo Performing Arts Centre Orchestra (Japan), and the Emerging Artists Program, managed by the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

As a member of the New Zealand String Quartet (2016-2024), Monique’s participation included extensive collaboration with many artists including members of the Takács and Jerusalem String Quartets, Dénes Várjon, Horomona Horo, Matthew Barley, Wu Man, Nikki Chooi, and Anthony Marwood. Monique has recorded 5 albums with the New Zealand String Quartet, and the most recent (Notes from a Journey II) won the Best Classical Album at the NZ Music Awards. One of Moniques’ treasured experiences with the NZSQ was performing the full Beethoven Quartet Cycle both nationally and internationally. Monique is a dedicated educator and lecturer and has held an academic position with the New Zealand School of Music – Te Kōkī (Victoria University).

Internationally, Monique has performed as soloist and chamber musician, appearing at major festivals throughout France, the Czech Republic, Holland, Japan, Germany, Canada, Hong Kong, China, Australia, USA, and at the Open Chamber Music Seminars in Prussia Cove (UK), directed by world-renowned cellist, Steven Isserlis. As a chamber musician Monique has collaborated with international artists including Pekka Kuusisto (Finland), Penderecki String Quartet (Canada), Piers Lane (NZ), Australian Chamber Orchestra Collective and Henning Kraggerud, Jian Liu (NZ) and with international concert violinist Olivier Charlier (France). As soloist, Monique has performed with the Auckland Philharmonia, Dunedin Symphony, the Hyogo Performing Arts Centre Orchestra and has participated in a Concert duet with Olivier Charlier and Dénes Várjon.

As an active and renowned interpreter of contemporary music, Monique has collaborated with and premiered pieces by distinguished composers including Martin Lodge (NZ), Gordon Kerry (AU), Ross Harris (NZ), Samson Young (HK), Simon Eastwood (NZ) and Jacob ter Veldhuis (NL) among others. She is also a founding member of the Ghost Piano Trio. 

Monique performs on an 1883 Gand violin kindly on loan from the Rin Collection in Singapore.