Little pianist a big hit at music festival

Tiny hands on the ivories: Chang, pictured sitting in front of her piano, started taking piano lessons more than two years ago.

KULAI: A six-year-old pianist has charmed the crowd at the Senai International Airport here with a solo performance in conjunction with a music festival.

Enya Chang Shan Yann looked calm and composed in her yellow kebaya as she played her piece called Study in F by CA Loeschhorn.

According to her mother Vivian Tham, Enya started playing the piano about two years ago and has obtained a Grade 7 certification for her piano performance that was certified by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.

“She joined a baby music class when she was only 18 months old and later started taking piano lessons.

“It started out as a hobby but her interest continued to grow day by day and last year, she started taking part in competitions,” Tham said at the Senai Airport Music Weekend.

She said Enya has taken part in at least 18 local and international events this year alone, including the World Top 50 Musicians Award certified by the London Young Musician Award Committee.

“I started noticing how talented she is when she started joining the competitions last year and playing more difficult music pieces.

“She enjoys playing the piano and will spend about 45 minutes daily to sharpen her skills.

“She has also expressed interest to learn violin as she loves the sound it produces,” Tham said, adding that Enya is an only child.

Separately, Enya said her favourite musician is Lang Lang, a Chinese pianist who has performed with leading orchestras around the world.

“Playing the piano makes me happy. I also like it when people are entertained by my performance,” she said, adding that her favourite piece is Vivace by Muzio Clementi.

Enya was among those who performed at the launch of the three-day Senai Airport Music Weekend event, which began yesterday.

The airport’s general manager, Noor Safura Suib, said over 40,000 visitors are expected to take part in the musical event.

“The event aims to highlight and showcase more than 100 music talents from all walks of life.

“We expect to welcome more than 40,000 visitors from diverse backgrounds,” she said.