Boileau Business Technology’s Angelique and Michael Boileau are supporting talented young violinist Grace Clifford, who will perform with the ASO this weekend

ONE of Australia’s finest young musicians will perform with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO) this weekend, thanks to the support of a leading South Australian business family.

Angelique Boileau with the ASO’s emerging artist Grace Clifford. Photo Naomi Jellicoe

ONE of Australia’s finest young musicians will perform with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO) this weekend, thanks to the support of a leading South Australian business family.

Up and coming violinist Grace Clifford was named the ASO’s inaugural emerging artist in January - a two-year association supported by the contribution of benefactors Angelique and Michael Boileau.

The founders of Boileau Business Technology were in the audience for Ms Clifford’s previous visit to Adelaide in 2016, when she performed the Sibelius concerto alongside the ASO.

“It was actually here in the Town Hall and I remember Michael and I walking out and we thought wow it’s like an angel playing, she’s magic,” Ms Boileau said.

“Michael and I just thought how exciting it would be to know that we are helping someone with so much God-given talent to actually rise and really get to the top.”

Ms Clifford is due to complete a music degree at Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute of Music next year, and has plans to continue studying in the US or Europe.

The 19-year old, who started playing violin at the age of four, said Australia’s relatively young classical music scene offered a good place for emerging talent to thrive.

“The support that young musicians receive - and the ASO’s emerging artist is an example - is really invaluable and I think unique,” she said.

“I think Australia has the unique position of being relatively insulated, or having that feeling, compared to going to America or Europe.

“We are creating the Australian tradition of classical music now and there’s not this tradition so much that we have to live up to in a certain way, which I think can be stifling.”

The Boileaus have provided sponsorship to the ASO for 15 years, and they continue to support a number of other sporting, charitable and cultural organisations including the Adelaide Crows, Zoos SA and Scouts SA.

Next month, Ms Boileau will take part in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, aiming to raise more than $10,000 for the eighth year in a row.

She encouraged the state’s SMEs to lend their support to similar organisations, and said business confidence had increased on the result of the State Election earlier this year.

“I think the climate is really changing,” she said.

“SMEs have decided we can’t sit on the fence anymore - we either spend or we close or we sell or we get out.”

The ASO’s Master Series 3 - Grace and Grandeur concert, featuring the Mendelssohn concerto, will be held at the Adelaide Town Hall on Friday and Saturday nights.