It seems fitting, then, that the Eurobodalla’s own violin maestro, Rueben Oddy, is living his dream in Germany – even spending a night in Professor Einstein’s former home.

Mr Oddy has been living with members of Rotary International until his studies begin at the Hochschule fur Musik (HfM) at Detmold on April 7.

He had received first-round offers to several Australian music conservatoriums last year, but decided to improve his technique and repertoire before applying to a German university.

Mr Oddy said the Australian music scene was like “Chinese whispers”.

“You learn from someone, who learned from someone, who learned from someone, who studied in Europe,” he said.

“Perhaps the story has been changed from its initial intention.

“I wanted to make sure I got the message from the horse’s mouth.”

Mr Oddy spent eight months learning German and piano in Australia to prepare for his many “brutal” auditions at German universities.

Occurring over two days, auditions included tests in violin, music theory, piano and an aural test, where he had to identify musical concepts and relevant features of unknown pieces, as well as German language proficiency.

He chose HfM because it is a classical music university only, and he knew a teacher, Professor Koh Gabriel Kameda, with whom he had already begun lessons.

“He has been described as one of the most remarkable players of his generation, a renowned player and tutor,” Mr Oddy said.

“When I sent him a message to ask what else I should bring to tuition, besides my violin – I was thinking sheet music – he replied ‘a bow’.

“You always have to think on your feet when dealing with music tutors.”

Settling in Germany is the end of “years of travel” for Mr Oddy, whose mum would drive him up to 1000km each week from his Moruya home for lessons, orchestra rehearsals and performances, while his dad “worked to pay for it all”.

“I had to finish my last two years of schooling by distance education, because I was starting to miss days,” he said.

“It took nearly a year to organise my applications and travel to Germany, but I didn’t do it all on my own.

“I have been helped along the way by my family and groups like the Country Women’s Association, St Cecilia Scholarships, The South Coast Music Society, the Australian Youth Orchestra and, 

in particular, Moruya Rotary, who organised the Youth Exchange accommodation in Germany while I auditioned.”

Mr Oddy said there was “nothing to dislike” about his stay, however daunting.

“The language barrier is one of the hardest things I have ever had to overcome,” he said.

“There is still a way to go for me before I am fluent, but I feel it coming.

“The German people are extraordinarily kind, accommodating me and helping me along.

“I also enjoyed the Tim Tams and Caramello Koalas my folks sent in a care package.”

While in Berlin, Mr Oddy stayed with a  molecular  from Greece.

“I think her house may be a part of the university campus, as a plaque on the wall outside notes that the house had been Albert Einstein’s residence in 1914, when he was writing his general theory of relativity,” he said.

“I would like to believe my room was his study.”

Mr Oddy said his ultimate dream was world peace.

“That aside, (it’s) being the best violinist I can possibly be, inspiring people and making old ladies cry with beautiful playing,” he said.

“Winning an international violin competition, a recording contract and performing at Carnegie Hall are right up there also.

“I am so fortunate to be able to pursue a career in something I love.

“This is a rare opportunity for the rest of my life.”