BY KATH ROSE
Next month, 23-year-old pianist Wendy Yuan from Adelaide will travel almost 2000km to join some of the world’s best musicians during the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, from July 27 to August 5.
And, it’s not the first time the talented classical pianist has made the journey across the country to Townsville in search of chamber music excellence.
Last year, she attended the AFCM’s acclaimed Winterschool, where music students have the opportunity to be coached by the world’s best chamber musicians. For many, it’s the chance of a lifetime, and for Wendy, it cemented her decision to follow music as a career. So much so, she is the official 2018 page turner – and she will take part in lessons with key artists.
“Last year’s Winterschool experience was truly a mind-blowing opportunity, to learn from such high calibre artists was incredible. I was determined to return and continue working with these amazing artists and was thrilled to be offered the position as official page turner for the concerts,” Wendy says.
“Many people do not realise the type of role it is – it’s highly specialised. You really need to look at the music, think ahead, accommodate for different artists and location conditions, for how each artist works to time with music and how they signal. It is largely a trust thing. It can be stressful, so you need to be able to sight-read music, to practice patience and have a great understanding of music.”
Wendy moved from China to Adelaide with her family 10 years ago when she was just 13 years of age. This July, she embarks on her Masters in Performance at the Elder Conservatorium of Music in Adelaide, having already completed her BA in Classic Piano Performance.
However, she wasn’t always on course to become a concert pianist.
“I had two piano teachers in China, but it was purely for leisure. It wasn’t until I was in high school in Adelaide that my teachers really sparked my interest in taking piano more seriously,” she says.
“My teachers Debra Andreacchio, Gabriella Smart, Anna Goldsworthy and Eleanor Sivan have all had a tremendous influence on my piano interest and learnings.
“I just love classical music and playing the piano has always helped me calm down. At school I struggled with mathematics and even musical theory didn’t interest me all that much. My teachers encouraged me to learn about the history of the musical greats and to ultimately find my own way in music. It was excellent advice.”
That advice just may propel Wendy to a career as a classical concert pianist playing in some of the great concert halls of the world – but not before she gets through 10 days as official page turner at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music!
CutCommon is teaming up with AFCM to bring you interviews with young artists at the festival. Our latest featured clarinettist Julian Bliss – check it out!
Explore full festival program to choose what you’ll see at AFCM in Townsville from 27 July to 5 August. (And don’t forget, if you’re under 30 you’ll get $30 tickets for any of the 30 concerts. How sweet is that?)
Image supplied. This story was last edited 11 June.
