A talented young pianist is celebrating a dream come true after her extraordinary skills led to her earning a place to perform alongside virtuoso pianist, Lang Lang, at the Xi’an Olympic Sports Centre in China. Joanna won first place in the 7-9 year old category and performed alongside the superstar classical pianist and other winning students in front of a crowd of over 10,000 people.
Joanna discovered her passion for piano at the age of 5 and had to enter two competitions with over 1,000 participants aged between 5 and 26 in order to be selected. The winning students took part in a three hour group rehearsal with Lang Lang before taking to the stage to perform alongside the leading figure in classical music.
As a pianist, educator and philanthropist Lang Lang has become one of the world’s most influential and committed ambassadors for the arts in the 21st century. He is widely known for judging contestants on the first two seasons of Channel 4’s The Piano in which amateur players take their pianistic talents to some of the UK’s busiest train stations.
Joanna performed ‘Celebrating the Turnaround’ which is a traditional Chinese song celebrating the Chinese Revolution of 1949. She also experienced the city’s culture by paying a visit to the Terracotta Army Display which Xi’an is famous for.
Speaking of her once-in-a-lifetime experience, Joanna said:
“It was fun getting to perform with Lang Lang and I really enjoyed meeting other students who love playing the piano as much as I do. I had to play in front of a large audience, but I didn’t feel nervous because my friends were next to me so I wasn’t scared. I’ve listened to Lang Lang’s music since I started playing the piano so it felt like a dream come true getting to perform with him. It has certainly inspired me to play more.”
Anna Tomlinson, Head Teacher at St Margaret’s School for Girls, said:
“I would like to congratulate Joanna on this absolutely incredible achievement. I know how much time and effort she dedicates to her piano playing and was thrilled to learn that her hard work and enthusiasm earned her a place to perform alongside such an influential figure in classical music. Joanna is setting an example to young girls, demonstrating that persistence and commitment to something you enjoy can lead to wonderful opportunities that enhance life skills and develop confidence.”
All pupils at St Margaret’s receive weekly music tuition from nursery, with many also receiving individual instrumental tuition from 2 Junior. Girls as young as five are learning to play the violin and junior children are also taught piano, brass, strings and woodwind with the opportunity