Ruby Lo has gone from admiring the finalists of the Hawke's Bay Young Musician of the Year as an audience member to being awarded the title. 

The Sacred Heart College Year 11 student won the prestigious competition, now in its 40th year, at the final concert held at the Blyth Performing Arts Centre in Havelock North on Friday. 

“It is really surreal because I've been admiring the music in this competition for so many years. My family and I regularly go and watch the finalists and it’s really great,” Ruby says. 

“It’s just weird thinking about it because a few years ago I was looking at those contestants and thinking ‘Wow, I wish I could play like that’. So, it’s just amazing.” 

The Hawke’s Bay Young Musician of the Year competition is organised by the Hawke’s Bay branch of the Institute of Registered Music Teachers for their advanced students to compete in piano, instrument and singing. 

Ruby was among eight musicians aged 15 – 18 to perform on the first Saturday of this month in the preliminary competition where adjudicator Guy Donaldson from Palmerston North selected the six finalists. The final concert saw them perform for an audience and Auckland-based adjudicator Dr Justin Bird. 

While she has received many accolades to her name, the 15-year-old was only able to enter this year when the minimum age limit dropped from 16. 

Her performance included the first movement of Sonata in A Minor by Mozart, followed by Dreaming by Amy Beach, and Paganini Jazz by Fazil Say. 

“We tried to choose a program that everybody would enjoy, and that would contrast nicely too. The pieces we chose, I was already practising for my piano exam.”

Her mum Hazel Wong, and seven-year-old sister Amber Lo watched her performance. So did her friends and several teachers from Sacred Heart College. 

“It was so lovely of them to come and see my performance.” 

Ruby first started playing the piano when she was just four years old. A few years later, she picked up the flute.  

“It runs on my mum's side, but I think she just thought it would be a good thing to learn and a good idea to start me young. And then I just kind of kept doing it and then I started to actually enjoy it instead of being forced to practice it.” 

Last year, she passed her ATCL for piano, and has just recently sat the LTCL. Her current piano teacher is Frances Te Weehi. 

For winning, Ruby received a $1500 prize sponsored by Freemasons Hawke’s Bay Districts, plus the Peter and Valerie Williams Cup.

Acting Principal Marysia Airey says: “The Sacred Heart community are very proud of Ruby, who continues to gain success in her many endeavours through hard work and determination”. 

Article added: Monday 11 September 2023