Chisholm Street series to showcase young stars

TWO emerging pianists celebrated at the Royal South Street Society Eisteddfod are next on the bill as part of an intimate concert series in Black Hill.

Stefania Robu and Jayden Wayne, who received several accolades in the RSSS competition’s Schimmel Pianoforte section, will perform this weekend as part of the program.

Chisholm Street founder and creative director Bronwyn Blaiklock said the pair’s involvement is about broadening the program’s scope to present new opportunities for young performers.

“It’s kind of a return for me of when I was a teacher; the pinnacle for me was when I was head of piano at Riverina Conservatorium of Music where we did this sort of thing all the time,” she said.

“The idea of supporting young people in their musical development with these opportunities is a natural thing for me and something I’ve done for a long time.”

During the eisteddfod, which was held in August, Robu and Wayne received first prize wins in the Open Baroque Piano Solo, and the 19 Years and Under Piano Recital Solo section respectively.

Robu, 12 years old, has been studying piano since age five, and was taught for five years by Ballarat-based piano teacher Dean Thomas.

Eleven-year-old pianist and harpist Wayne has earned over 40 first-place accolades in eisteddfods across the country.

Jayden Wayne began learning piano when he was five years old and was awarded his Associate in Music, Australia diploma at age 10.

Blaiklock said the pair will present a mixed repertoire from classical icons.

“They’ll both be performing solo for about half an hour each, and performing favourites from Chopin, Bach, Clara Schumann, Robert Schumann, the core composers really,” she said.

“It’s a professional gig where they’ll be paid, and it offers a small supportive audience for them to practice their art of performance.”

Blaiklock said more young performers through RSSS are expected to be part of next year’s Chisholm Street November concert.

The Chisholm Street series was established in 2021 as a way of presenting intimate live performances in line with the restrictions of COVID lockdowns.

The show will run from 3pm until 5pm on Sunday 3 November.

Tickets range from $20 for school-aged children and $35 general admission, and can be booked via Humanitix.

A meet and greet with the performers will be held for attendees following the show.