The top prizes in this year’s 2015 St Cecilia Scholarship were taken out by two sisters from Moruya who have both mastered the piano.
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Tara and Chloe Watts have been learning piano from a young age and it showed during this year’s prestigious competition.
The duo battled it out against 10 other finalists in two categories, classical and modern, for the top prize of a $1000 scholarship to spend on music lessons or equipment.
Tara, 14, took out the $1000 prize for her level two classical piano piece.
"I really enjoy playing piano. I like to perform for people, and they enjoy hearing me play,” she said.
“I was not expecting it. I had played well in the audition, I was not very nervous about it and that is what led to a good result. Not having all those nerves and being worried.
She played ‘Fluttering Leaves’ in A minor, by Kolling and ‘Study’ in B minor, by Heller.
Both pieces went for about one minute 40 seconds.
Tara was not sure about what she wanted to do in the future but knew she wanted to play music.
“I want to keep learning music for as long as I can,” she said.
“Chloe (older sister) was my inspiration to start playing music; listening to her play and being inspired by that and wanting to play as well.
Chloe, 17, was awarded the $700 Maria de Rocco award, as well as the second prize of $500 in the level two non-classical category.
“It is always a special award to get, it is a bit different to the others which are classical or non classical,” she said.
“It is Maria de Rocco's name and she is the founder of St Cecilia. It has been great to see her over the years every time I have gone to the concerts and played.”
Chloe was happy with their achievement.
“This is a time to show your skills and what you have worked so hard for over the year,” she said.
“There are less performance opportunities here.”
Other winners include Molly Burrows and Elodie de Rover who were given merit awards, Jessica Hughes who won the PERFEX non-classical music award, Jack Smith who was awarded SCMS for classical music, Hayley Chown who came second in level one non-classical, Charlie Hall who won first place for level one non-classical, Thomas Derwent who placed second in level one classical, Harry Hadley who won the level two non-classical category and Holly Last who took out second place in level two classical.
Saithong Fafie, who was one of the youngest competitors in the competition, placed first in the level one classical category.
Past winners have gone on to have careers in the music industry.