Australian Youth Orchestra
AYO Alumni Profile – Sharon Draper
Sharon played cello in AYO and National Music Camp from 2000-2007 and is also a National Music Camp tutor.
She is a member of the world-renowned Australian String Quartet (ASQ). The ASQ musicians perform on Guadagnini instruments loaned by the Klein Family Foundation, who also support AYO’s concertmaster chair and international tour.
What makes the 1743c Guadagnini cello special?
The Guadagnini cello is different to any other instrument I’ve played in terms of the sounds, tones and colours it can produce. It’s so responsive – a bit like driving a sports car! It also won’t let me get away with any technical glitches. I learnt to become a better player because of this and can now do things my old cello couldn’t respond to.
Can you give us an example?
At the Adelaide Cello Festival I played Bach’s E Flat Major Suite, which is always awkward to play; E flat is a rather non-resonant, ‘dead’ key. I picked up the Guadagnini cello and suddenly everything rung.
Highlights with the ASQ?
One highlight of many was the Quartet Festival in Dunkeld. We were a lot closer to audiences in the venues and had dinner afterwards with audience members and other musicians, which was really beautiful.
Will we see you again at National Music Camp?
I’d drop everything to tutor with AYO again – it was the most fun I’ve had in my professional life. It’s so inspiring to be surrounded by the passion and excitement of the young musicians, who play every concert as if it’s the first and last, they’ll ever play.
Career tips for young musicians?
Be honest with yourself about what is going to make you happy in your career, even if it’s not what others think should make you happy. Always treat your colleagues with respect, whether they are above or below you in the musical world. You can always learn something from everyone, and making genuine friends is one of the most important and rewarding things in your musical life.