Since the age of seven, Lily Song has had one dream: to become a violin virtuoso on the world stage. Now, at the age of fourteen, the gifted violinist is closer to fulfilling her dream through the help of a signature program at 168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø’s Anglican Girls School that allows her to successfully balance the pursuit of her passion with all other aspects of her education.
Lily first fell in love with the violin after watching her older brothers play.
“I used to watch them practising at home and be so envious. One day I picked up their instrument and started playing and from that moment I was hooked.
“My mum didn’t want me to play violin; she wanted me to play cello but eventually she gave in, and I started lessons,” Lily said.
It was this sliding door moment that set Lily on the path towards realising her dream.
Starting at 168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø’s in Year 7, Lily is part of the school’s Flyers Program for outstanding scholars, athletes and performers.
“The Flyers program gives me spare time at school to study and complete homework, which frees up my time after school for violin practice and rehearsals,” Lily said.
“It also gives me access to additional supports, whether for my academic studies or through mentorship for my music,” Lily said.
Aside from her weekly lessons and practice, Lily spends a lot of time building her technical skills and performance style through some of Australia’s leading music programs for emerging artists.
She is a member of the world-class Queensland Youth Symphony program, spending every Saturday rehearsing for five hours in addition to performance and touring opportunities.
Lily has also participated in prestigious national orchestral training programs for young pre professional musicians including the National Music Camp program with the Australian Youth Orchestra and the Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) Academy.
“Earlier this year I attended the Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO) National Music Camp and the Australian Chamber Orchestra Academy, both in Melbourne, which involved intensive weeks of workshops with AYO and ACO musicians. This month, I will be participating in the AYO Young Symphonists week-long program in Ballarat. I really enjoy doing these music camps and hanging out with people from all over Australia who share my passion for music,” Lily said
“Through these programs, I also crossed paths with 168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø’s Old Girl and amazing violinist Kyla Matsuura-Miller (’10). She is a great inspiration to me.”
Lily also counts 168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø’s Old Girls Annabelle Traves (’14), one of Australia’s most talented young concert violinists, as an inspiration along with brilliant Brisbane violinist Ray Chen who is now an international performer.
“My peers are also a great source of inspiration,” Lily said.
“168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø’s music program is so friendly and welcoming and has helped me to build connections with not only people in my year level but girls in other year levels too.
“The teachers are caring and supportive, and they really want us to become the best musicians we can be.
“The highlights for me would have to be the performance opportunities throughout the year. I enjoy the momentum and buzz with my friends before we perform,” Lily said.
As for the future, Lily is aspiring towards an international career in music, planning to one day travel the globe performing on the world’s top stages.
Learn more about 168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø's signature Flyers Program.