Justine Lai certainly knows how to key in to music. Last Sunday the 16-year-old St. Albert student was awarded The Royal Conservatory of Music gold medal for piano performance.
The Calgary Telus Convention Centre was command centre where about 50 young Alberta musicians were recognized at the 2014 Regional Gold Medal Ceremony.
“I was really excited to have my name called out,” said an obviously humbled Lai. “Dignitaries were there and I was excited to get the Royal Conservatory of Music gold medal with a logo on it.”
She had not expected to receive 91 per cent, the highest mark in Grade 9 piano performance throughout the province.
It is the latest in a long line of accolades that include past Alberta College performances, St. Albert Rotary Music Festival scholarship wins and an invitation to the much sought-after St. Albert Chamber Music Series.
The performances were not only early indications of her prowess on the keyboard, but they also solidified her musical stature in the community.
Nancy Watt, one of her piano teachers along with Debbie Gallant, explains Lai’s staying power on the ivories.
“She’s motivated,” Watt said. “She really enjoys playing. She enjoys learning new repertoire and her previous successes have inspired her to work hard. She’s seen how hard work brings rewards.”
To reap the gold medal, Lai earnestly practiced an eclectic repertoire on her Yamaha grand piano – a Scarlatti sonata, Beethoven’s Bagatelle, Chopin’s Nocturne and Leo Weiner’s Fox Dance.
When she’s not rehearsing the piano, the Grade 11 Ă©cole Secondaire Saint Marguerite d’Youville student plays clarinet in band and burns off excess energy as a black belt in karate.
If the positives of the gold medal win can be distilled into one thing, it’s that Lai now feels more confident under the spotlight.
“It’s important because I get nervous when I play. So it’s important to know you have done it before and you don’t get too worried.”
Lai’s next performance is at Alberta College’s Contemporary Showcase. Held on Nov. 21 and 22, the festival showcases contemporary Canadian composers.
Two additional Royal Conservatory gold medal winners from St. Albert are Hannah Mazurek, who scooped the top award in the level eight voice category and Aidan Yakymyshyn, a Level 4 guitarist.
