Gladys Chua
About
Q&A
Question: Can you tell us a bit about you, and what you are up to these days?
Answer I'm originally from Perth and received a great musical education through school. I received a scholarship to attend The University of Melbourne, where I studied music and economics. Subsequently, an extraordinary set of circumstances saw me attend the Australian National Academy of Music. <br> <br> In 2015, I returned to Perth to take up a job as the piano accompanist at a private girls' school. Since then, I have also been appointed as Associate Lecturer at The Conservatorium of Music at The University of Western Australia, and freelance around Perth.
Question: What was your favourite piece or performance during your programs?
Answer Each AYO performance I was involved in was memorable! I remember Shostakovich symphonies, especially No.11. Paul Dean described the utter chaos of gunfire and the ensuing eeriness of so much death, which I could hear swirling around me. Bernstein's <i>West Side Story</i> was so much fun, and full of energy! <br> <br> Smetana's Piano Trio at Chamber Music Camp remains in my memory as the first time that I felt physically and emotionally exhausted after performing. On subsequent occasions I have performed this piece, I remember the hard work and excitement of this very first time of discovering this music.
Question: Why do you think AYO is important to the Australian cultural landscape?
Answer AYO is the ultimate young musician's playground! It provides musicians across ages the chance to meet others from across the country, play some of the best music with some of the brightest, and to learn from outstanding professionals. It is an incredible training ground, and forges so many musical and personal friendships that continue well into professional life and adulthood.
Question: How would you describe AYO in three words?
Answer Energetic, memorable, fun.
Question: Is there anything else you would like to tell us about you or your time at AYO?
Answer I first played in a full symphony orchestra at the age of twelve (as a violinist!). I remember being absolutely amazed at the sound coming from within and being surrounded by the most incredible tonal colours possible.<br> <br> My time at AYO was as a pianist (my actual instrument!), which was a most joyous thing to experience. The musical and personal friendships borne out of those experiences are ones I hold dearly many years on.
Question: What was one of the first pieces of music to inspire you?
Answer J.S. Bach’s Double Violin Concerto. The second movement is glorious!
Question: What pieces would you share with people who want to discover more about orchestral music?
Answer <i>The Rite of Spring</i>. There is so much going on! And Ravel's orchestral music - he was a master orchestrator. Everything he wrote is just right.
Question: Is there a piece of advice you received from a music teacher/mentor that has always stayed with you?
Answer Here are some of my favourites: <br> <br>Keep my mind open - but not so much that my brains fall out! <br> <br>Practice is insurance; talent without hard work will not save me under pressure. <br> <br>Art is always a work in progress - on some days, you have to turn it in; some days will be disappointing, but tomorrow is a new day to try again. <br> <br> You can always learn at least one thing from each person you meet.
Question: How or why did you choose your instrument?
Answer I actually have no memory of choosing my instrument, but apparently I begged my mother to let me learn music after my brother started learning the keyboard. We progressed quickly, and the teacher suggested we have private piano lessons, but only after I could prove that I could count and read the letters of the alphabet!
Question: What instrument would you play if you couldn’t play your primary instrument?
Answer The cello or French Horn.
Question: Which composer would you invite to a dinner party and why?
Answer J.S. Bach. He was a genius. I think I'd like to just revel in being in the same room as him!
Question: Would you rather: that you sounded like a tuba when you sneezed, or sounded like a piccolo when you laughed?
Answer I'm pretty sure I already sound quite close to a piccolo when I laugh, so let's go with that (it's almost reality)!