Getting a feel for life in the limelight

By CATHERINE MASTERS

It's silent in the Green Room, but you can almost hear the nervous breathing and pounding hearts.

Eight young violinists, pianists and singers sit here, shuffling slightly, awaiting their turn to take the stage of Auckland University's Maidment Theatre for the High Achievers concert.

"I'm not really nervous," says 9-year-old Hannah Reid from Remuera, dressed in purple and clutching the piano music to Donkey Drive fromZoo Tunes.

She's performed before "lots of times ... But I'm just thinking I might make a mistake. I don't really have a nervous tummy".

These children have been chosen from the best young musicians in the country.

The concert is one of only two a year put on by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, which sets music examinations in 90 countries.

Yesterday, though, was not an examination but a chance to perform before a live audience, where they learn how to present themselves, conquer some of those nerves and bow to the audience.

This audience was kindly - mainly proud mums, dads, grandmothers and siblings, some with video cameras.

Producer David Goodyear, the board's New Zealand examinations administrator, says careers are launched from these concerts.

Although the competition is open to any age, entrants tend to be young and most harbour dreams of a glorious future on stage as part of an orchestra or opera.

Ju Hyeon Han does.

The blind 16-year-old Rangitoto College student seems to be the calmest.

She is led on stage and, even to the untrained ear, it is clear she has a great future. She sings the complicated Foxgloves in a beautiful voice and looks happy when she comes off stage.

"I love it to bits," she tells the Herald softly. "It needs a bit of hard work but I love that too. It gives me a sense of achievement when I do something like this. I'd like to become a classical singer."

Last up is Jane Fisher from Howick. Elegant and professional in a long black dress, this 16-year-old violinist, who plays in a string trio but also wants to be an architect, leaves the stage looking just a little annoyed.

She confesses she made a mistake - although, again, she sounded pretty amazing to the untrained ear.

"It was good though," she says. "I mean, I recovered pretty well.

"You just keep going."