Student all keyed up for good cause

Loren Cassidy (left) and Sarah Qian sit at James Wallace's grand piano. Photo / Sarah Ivey

A fleet-fingered performance by one young pianist will help raise funds for other young people who have lost their dexterity because of youth arthritis.

Twelve-year-old Sarah Qian will be performing in the Eight Hands, One Piano concert alongside piano legends Michael Houstoun and Diedre Irons to raise funds for Arthritis New Zealand.

Money raised will help fund services for young people like Loren Cassidy who are affected by arthritis.

Loren, 16, was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis when she was 12. Stiff joints and exhaustion have made her quit netball and the school band, where she played the trumpet. Unlike other teens who pack as much into their lives as possible, Loren has learned that to manage her arthritis she has to take it easy. She is used to people saying "oh arthritis, my grandfather has that".

In New Zealand, the condition affects one in every 1000 children under the age of 15.

Sandra Kirby, chief executive of Arthritis NZ, said many sufferers experience difficulties with their schooling, their ability to play sport and to socialise.

Sarah said she could not imagine life without being able to play music and was grateful to be chosen to play at the fundraiser event. She practises piano for up to three hours a day and also plays the harp and sings in one of Diocesan's choirs.

Sarah will play in the first half of the concert and will be joined by Sylvia Jiang, 13. In the second half, Irons and Houstoun will play two duets.

The concert on October 21 is limited to 100 tickets and will be held at Rannoch, the home of arts patron James Wallace in Mt Eden.