Blog by Mrs McKillop, Head of Music
It gives me enormous pleasure to write about one of our most exceptional young musicians, ten-year-old Sarah Y., who on 4 July made her orchestral debut with the Thames Philharmonic Orchestra at The Landmark Arts Centre in Teddington.
Sarah began learning the violin at just four years old, inspired, as she tells it, by an animated character she saw on screen. What started as a child’s passing fascination has grown, under the guidance of her teacher Victoria Baek at Victoria Academy of Music, into a truly formidable talent. She passed her Grade 7 violin examination a year ago with distinction, and alongside the violin she also plays the piano, currently working towards her Grade 5 examination. It is rare to see this level of dedication and ability in a pupil so young, and it has been a privilege to watch her progress.
Sarah’s list of accolades already speaks for itself: First Prizes at the Geneva Junior International Music Competition, the Bedfordshire Festival of Music, Speech & Drama, and the Oundle Festival of Music & Drama (12 Years & Under Instrumental Solo category), together with multiple top prizes at the Sutton Music Festival and the Kingston upon Thames Festival of the Performing Arts. She has also been awarded the Junior Instrumental Challenge Cup for Outstanding Performance and the Michael Norton Recital Cup. I have no doubt there is more to come.
On the evening itself, dressed in white, Sarah took her place before the orchestra, conducted by Byung-Yun and led by John Haworth, and gave a performance well beyond her years. Those of us who know her well recognised exactly what we have come to expect: musical curiosity, a disciplined work ethic, and warm, expressive playing that draws an audience in.
At the close of the concert Sarah was presented with armfuls of flowers from delighted family, friends and fellow musicians — a fitting tribute to a milestone evening, and a lovely moment for all of those who were there to share in her success. Her achievement has already attracted attention beyond our own community: she was recently featured in The Korean Weekly, a wonderful recognition of how far her talent has carried her at such a young age.
(Sarah backstage after the concert, surrounded by flowers)
Sarah approaches her music with enthusiasm and perseverance, always striving to deepen her artistry and her connection with audiences, and she dreams of becoming a violinist who shares warmth and happiness through her performances. On this evidence, I have every confidence that dream is well within her reach. On behalf of the whole Music Department, congratulations, Sarah — we are enormously proud of you.
