Winner
RSMC Anniversary Scholarship
Congratulations!
Eight wonderfully promising young musicians applied for the 2020 RSMC Anniversary Scholarship, with exciting projects ranging from purchase of new instruments, to undertaking travel to attend courses and other musical instruction.
It is evident that music-making in WA is in safe hands, and is a testament to the candidates’ enthusiasm and hard work, their nurturing teachers, and supportive families and communities.
This year’s RSMC Anniversary Scholarship recipient is cellist Miah Smith.
Miah is currently in her third year at UWA’s Conservatorium of Music studying with Dr Suzanne Wijsman.
She plans to travel to Germany to attend the Kronberg Academy in 2021.
This Academy offers masterclasses and concerts with some of the world’s best cellists and students, as well as the opportunity to perform with the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra. In addition, the Academy hosts a violin maker’s exhibition, at which Miah hopes to purchase a suitable bow for her German instrument.
It is evident that Miah has clear direction about her future as a professional musician.
She is a gifted and thoughtful young woman who has the passion, determination and strong work ethic that will serve her well towards her goal.
Miah was an outstanding candidate, demonstrating distinct objectives, great initiative for her own learning, and clearly articulating the benefit for her musical development, and to the local community.
Congratulations, Miah Smith!
Adjudicators: Hugh Lydon and Gladys Chua
NOTE from RSMC:
The purpose of the Scholarship is to enable the recipient to undertake a music related project (or series of projects) which would not otherwise be available to them i.e. over and above what could be considered to be part of their regular music education.
Miah Smith is 20 years old and is in her third year of studying Music Specialist at The University of Western Australia.
She graduated from Presbyterian Ladies’ College in 2017, where she was awarded a Music Scholarship and the 2017 Music Prize.
Miah started learning the cello when she was 3 years old with the Suzuki Method.
She has been the recipient of the Australian Youth Orchestra’s Ernest V. Llewellyn Scholarship (2020), and the UWA Wesley Scholarship (2020).
She was a member of the Western Australian Youth Orchestra for four years and was the Principal Cellist for two years.
In 2018, Miah performed solo at the Performing Arts Perspectives Concert held at the Perth Concert Hall.
This concert showcased the top dance, drama and music students from the 2017 WACE final examinations.
She has been extremely lucky to perform in masterclasses with renowned cellists such as Gautier Capucon, Pablo Ferrandez and Jamie Hey where she gained invaluable knowledge, experience and advice.
Miah has been fortunate enough to be studying cello under Dr. Suzanne Wijsman to
further advance her abilities as a cellist.
Miah admires respected cellists Pablo Casals, Jacqueline Du Pre, Yo-Yo Ma and Gautier Capucon.
She aspires to perform
as an accomplished soloist and chamber musician in the future and travel all over the
world.