Three the Steinway

An upcoming charity concert in Epsom is a once-in-a-lifetime show, reports Katharine Astley.
Three exceptional teenage pianists and three grand pianos will occupy one stage to play one of Mozart's least performed compositions.
Tina Kim, Nayoung Koo and Lucy Zeng will perform his Concerto for Three Pianos on March 30. The proceeds will be donated to the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre.
"It's performed very rarely because of the logistics of getting the three grand pianos in one place," says Kathy Crawshaw, concert organiser. "We already have two at the Raye Freedman Arts Centre, where the event is being held, and we are in the process of getting the third.
"We have been wanting to do something to benefit the Raukatauri Centre for quite a while and this seemed like a great opportunity."
The girls were going into the seventh form at Epsom Girls Grammar this year but have all been accepted to study Piano Performance at Auckland University a year early.
It's clear all three are delighted with their success, but clearer still is their passion for their instrument.
Lucy Zeng, utterly comfortable at the keyboard, says: "I love playing the piano. It makes it so easy to express myself. Music just makes me happy."
Nayoung Koo agrees. "On the piano, I can express my feelings without words. There are just so many colours in the music."
Tina Kim explains their choice of charity.
"Music is so beneficial to everyone because it affects so many things in the mind emotionally and psychologically.
As a musician, I know how much of an impact music can have."
Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre uses music to reach out to children who have a wide range of special needs and to help them realise their potential.
Concert at Raye Freedman Arts Centre, Silver Rd, Epsom, March 30. Online ticket sales, $20 each. See: www.rmtc.org.nz