Photo: Rob Kenyon By Etsuko Yasunaga
IT WAS a very cold night at the end of May. The concert took place at Meeniyan Town Hall. The Australian Youth Orchestra Momentum Ensemble was performing ‘Belonging’, conducted by Ariel Zuckermann. It was a 70-minute music performance through a series of short atmospheric works inspired by landscape. The Momentum Ensemble is a group of dynamic orchestral performers, all graduates of the Australian Youth Orchestra. I saw an ad and asked Robert to join me. Since we moved to Inverloch in 2013 we have tended to grab any opportunity to listen to a live performance. This was one of those spontaneous decisions we made, and we are so glad we attended this outstanding performance by young musicians who are future leaders of the music world.
IT WAS a very cold night at the end of May. The concert took place at Meeniyan Town Hall. The Australian Youth Orchestra Momentum Ensemble was performing ‘Belonging’, conducted by Ariel Zuckermann. It was a 70-minute music performance through a series of short atmospheric works inspired by landscape. The Momentum Ensemble is a group of dynamic orchestral performers, all graduates of the Australian Youth Orchestra. I saw an ad and asked Robert to join me. Since we moved to Inverloch in 2013 we have tended to grab any opportunity to listen to a live performance. This was one of those spontaneous decisions we made, and we are so glad we attended this outstanding performance by young musicians who are future leaders of the music world.
Some pieces were familiar, and some were not. Regardless of familiarity every piece carried us away to an extraordinary moment in time. The audience was captivated by every note, every sound and the space in between the notes. Meeniyan Town Hall was very intimate and I could see each musician’s concentrated facial expression easily. Amongst those talented musicians, one violinist in front caught my eyes. Her concentration when she checked the conductor was remarkable. She moved her upper body exuberantly and smiled freely. I could easily tell when the particular part of music was lifting her spirit, and I felt I was also lifted by simply witnessing her joy. Her happiness was infectious and it was such a delight to observe her elation and absorption in her chosen path of performing music.
The concert concluded with a unique arrangement of Mussorgsky’s famous orchestral suite Pictures at an Exhibition. It was a truly magnificent performance, and the audience couldn’t stop showing enthusiastic approval and appreciation. Later I had a chance to speak to Julia, the violinist by whom I was utterly mesmerised during the concert. I told her how much I enjoyed seeing her loving what she does. Her answer was simply “I can’t help it. When you do what you love most you can’t contain the joy.”
The concert concluded with a unique arrangement of Mussorgsky’s famous orchestral suite Pictures at an Exhibition. It was a truly magnificent performance, and the audience couldn’t stop showing enthusiastic approval and appreciation. Later I had a chance to speak to Julia, the violinist by whom I was utterly mesmerised during the concert. I told her how much I enjoyed seeing her loving what she does. Her answer was simply “I can’t help it. When you do what you love most you can’t contain the joy.”
I am the joy of life expressing and receiving in perfect rhythm. – Louise Hay
I was intrigued after reading Liane Arno’s Tutus not required in Bass Coast Post in April, and decided to join Wendy Crellin’s ballet barre class at the Rescue Station. Growing up in Hokkaido I loved ice skating, and especially loved watching figure skating. As a child I wanted to learn ballet. However there was no opportunity and eventually studies took over to dominate my teen years. I attended a Ballet for Adults class at CAE in the city for a while, but our teacher moved away so I stopped. I was delighted to be able to attend a ballet class taught by a trained dancer once again. I looked for my Chacott white ballet slippers which were stored away in the cupboard for decades. I finally found them and when I held them in my hands all my childhood fantasies became alive. I felt I could be anything I wanted.
Wendy is a truly inspirational lady. She is graceful and elegant in her movement. I don’t know any 80-year-old who moves as gracefully as Wendy does. Secretly I’m hoping that I’ll be like her when I grow up. She is also an incredibly patient teacher. Wendy teaches between 10 and 14 students of all different levels per class each week. Thanks to the popularity and her excellent teaching, our group is expanding. Now there is a second group for those people who have just started. She encourages us to go at our own pace. At the same time she gently inspires us to go little further, stronger and higher in whatever we do. Wendy is genuinely delighted when any one of her students makes progress, however small it may be. She often talks about the importance of discipline in any practice, and nurtures us to cultivate the joy of dance with music.
With old-fashioned cassette tapes and a tape player, sometimes with CDs and a CD player, the Rescue Station on Tuesday morning is filled with classical music for ballet practice. At least I can understand French ballet terms, and I’m glad I took an opportunity to study the language. Plier, relever, glisser and battement tendu, we all move gracefully to the best of our ability. Wendy is often smiling because she sees the joy of movement in all of us.
Recently when the Rescue Station was flooded and both classes were cancelled, Wendy quickly arranged a different venue for us so that we could continue with our practice. I believe nothing can defeat Wendy because she is such a resilient person. I adore her strength of character and tenderness of her heart. In every class there is always a moment when the light shines over Wendy from the window in the roof just like a spotlight on the stage. In that moment Wendy is truly a dancer on the stage, dazzling her audience. I am utterly awe struck by her grace and beauty. I’m appreciative of the opportunity to learn the art from such an incredible person.
Wendy is a truly inspirational lady. She is graceful and elegant in her movement. I don’t know any 80-year-old who moves as gracefully as Wendy does. Secretly I’m hoping that I’ll be like her when I grow up. She is also an incredibly patient teacher. Wendy teaches between 10 and 14 students of all different levels per class each week. Thanks to the popularity and her excellent teaching, our group is expanding. Now there is a second group for those people who have just started. She encourages us to go at our own pace. At the same time she gently inspires us to go little further, stronger and higher in whatever we do. Wendy is genuinely delighted when any one of her students makes progress, however small it may be. She often talks about the importance of discipline in any practice, and nurtures us to cultivate the joy of dance with music.
With old-fashioned cassette tapes and a tape player, sometimes with CDs and a CD player, the Rescue Station on Tuesday morning is filled with classical music for ballet practice. At least I can understand French ballet terms, and I’m glad I took an opportunity to study the language. Plier, relever, glisser and battement tendu, we all move gracefully to the best of our ability. Wendy is often smiling because she sees the joy of movement in all of us.
Recently when the Rescue Station was flooded and both classes were cancelled, Wendy quickly arranged a different venue for us so that we could continue with our practice. I believe nothing can defeat Wendy because she is such a resilient person. I adore her strength of character and tenderness of her heart. In every class there is always a moment when the light shines over Wendy from the window in the roof just like a spotlight on the stage. In that moment Wendy is truly a dancer on the stage, dazzling her audience. I am utterly awe struck by her grace and beauty. I’m appreciative of the opportunity to learn the art from such an incredible person.