Central Coast Conservatorium of Music piano student, Jade Jiang, has been awarded an Associate in Music, Australia Diploma (AMusA)1, by the Australian Music Examination Board (AMEB).
At 19, few students reach this level.
“It is a difficult exam to pass.
“It requires dedication, hard work, hours of practice, talent, and a love for music,” said Jade’s piano teacher, Svetlana Vokurka.
In a 30-minute Recital Examination, Jade had to demonstrate an advanced level of technical accomplishment, a mature musical understanding, and the ability to feel and project the changing mood and character of the music.
Her performance program included music from the baroque and classical romantic periods, through to the 21st Century.
Although all pieces were challenging, Jade found the Australian composer of contemporary classical music, Carl Vine’s Three Bagatelles and J.S. Bach’s Prelude and Fugue, as the most demanding.
Coming from an artistic and classically trained family, Jade began piano lessons at age 6.
She is the granddaughter of Jiang Yu Lin, a piano player, violinist and composer of music for films.
Her grandmother, Meizhen Wu, also known as Madame Wu, has an extensive career in producing classical Chinese dance.
Jade’s father, Jeffery Jiang, played piano in his youth.
“I draw inspiration from all of them in different ways,” said Jade.
Jade performs regularly at the Conservatorium’s end of term concerts, eisteddfods, scholarship presentations and at retirement villages.
Her favourite pieces to perform are those with colour.
“I still love playing romantic pieces, but I’ve grown to enjoy performing 20th and 21st Century pieces, something which I never expected,” she said.
Jade’s older brother, Warren Jiang, paved the way, studying piano from an early age.
On achieving Grade 8 level, he focused on developing a wide range of piano repertoire.
He now plays jazz and studies improvisation with Dr Dorian Mode.
“I’d like to say that I taught her everything she knows, but the truth is that Jade has worked tirelessly on her craft and deserves all the achievement and praise that comes with it,” said Warren.
Jade is a student at the University of Sydney studying a double degree Bachelor of Design Computing and Behavioural Science.
At the AMEB graduation ceremony, the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music received the Certificate of Distinction 2019 – Top 10 result in the category of Most Outstanding Studio or Music School, Grade 5 to Certificate, in all Instruments, by the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB).
“Amidst the COVID-19 difficult and testing times, this national recognition of the high quality teaching and learning that happens at the Conservatorium is certainly welcome news,” said Central Coast Conservatorium Artistic Director and CEO, Patrick Brennan.
Source:
Press release, May 13
Rosalie Paino, Central Coast Conservatorium