Welcome to Con Fuoco, CutCommon’s interview series with emerging artists in Australia.
Pianist Leanne Jin, 17, is a Rising Stars Program student at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and a Year 12 student at North Sydney Girls High School. She recently attained her LMusA Diploma with Distinction.
Through Rising Stars, she has taken part in masterclasses with renowned pianists Sa Chen, Ingo Dannhorn, and Helen Krizos; and has performed as soloist and chamber musician.
In 2016, she performed a full recital on Fine Music 102.5 FM, was awarded the Edward Loong Scholarship, and was selected as a finalist in the KPO Concerto Competition. In 2017, Leanne had three successes at the Sydney Eisteddfods – winning the Australian Piano section, scoring second place in the Classical Sonata section and third in the open age Piano Concerto section. She also won the Barbara Robinson Award in the NSW Secondary Schools Concerto competition, and performed Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 1 at The Concourse in Chatswood.
More recently, Leanne was accepted through audition into the prestigious Steps to Mastery International Piano Competition in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Your all-time favourite piece of music?
I would have to say my favourite piece of all time has to be Prokofiev’s second piano concerto. It is such an incredible piece – intense, complex and virtuosic.
Biggest fear when performing?
Overthinking my performance and comparing myself to everyone else.
Most memorable concert experience?
Maurice Ravel’s Bolero by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
How do you psych yourself up for practice on a lazy day?
I would probably listen to recordings of a variety of artists playing [the] pieces [I’ll perform], and getting inspired that way.
Most embarrassing moment on stage?
A few years ago, I had a huge memory lapse when I performed one of Mozart’s sonatas for a piano competition!
Best piece of musical advice you’ve received?
Your ears are most important when playing the piano; not your hands or fingers.
Favourite post-gig ritual?
Eating and hanging with friends!
What are you most proud of in your musical career so far?
Last year was definitely a highlight for me. I was accepted into an international piano competition in St. Petersburg called Steps to Mastery; whilst also being able to juggle heavy year 12 academic demands at school. That year, I was also awarded the Barbara Robinson Award (senior section) in the NSW Secondary Schools Concerto Competition.
What do you love most about making music?
I love being able to express and communicate thoughts and feelings. I love how diverse music is – how you are able to convey a completely different set of emotions depending on the composer’s nationality, history, etc.
Leanne will perform at the Bowral Autumn Music Festival, which takes place from 23-25 March. Visit the website for the full program.
Image supplied. This interview is published with permission from the guardians of Leanne Jin, 17.
