An aspiring young pianist from South Delta has just won a top prize at an international competition.
Christy Hung, 13, has been playing the piano for six-and-a-half years under the guidance of a private teacher based in Richmond.
Last month, Hung, along with her partner Eric Chen, placed third at the prestigious 2018 North West International Piano Ensemble Competition.
Hung says it was a fun experience to compete for the first time at such a high level.
“I’ve done other competitions, but they were more local, so this one was a pretty big deal,” she says. “You have to be level nine and up. My partner and I played six pieces in all, with three in the first round. Only three groups get selected to the prize round.”
The North West International Piano Ensemble Competition started in 2009 and has had five successful returns since then. It runs every second year. There are three categories, based on age groups. The junior (up to age 12), intermediate (13 to 18) and senior (19 to 30) categories have attracted gifted pianists from across Canada and several continents. Some of the past contestants have gone on to professional careers and have performed with major orchestras and attended universities and conservatories both at home and abroad.
Judges have been from Europe and North America and have contributed to attract great talent.
The qualifying rounds were held Nov. 23 at the Tom Lee Music Experience Centre in Vancouver with the final prize round on Nov. 24 at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Vancouver.
This isn’t the first award for the talented pianist. Hung placed first at the Richmond Music Festival and first at another duet competition, Festival on the Lake.
“I like sharing music with people and hearing it myself,” she said.
She says she started learning piano through her mom.
