VIOLINIST prodigy, eight-year-old Kristine Clair Uchi Galano from Brunei has become the youngest student to attend the Queenstown violin summer school in New Zealand.

She was among the 26 talented violin students aged between eight to 25 years old who were selected by audition to attend the school.

The young violinist who stayed in Brunei with her family first played a violin in a tender age of four years old when she first attended the Expression Music School.

Noticing her gifted talent, teacher Lorgina Tubod and Franz Lanzaderas of Expression Music took Kristine Clair under their wing before studying under Jamie Sales at JIS for six months.

According to Lily Chiam, the founder of Expression Music, “She is a gifted child who has a great memory and could express the refine lines of music. I felt very proud and happy for her achievement and success.”

According to Otaga Daily Times, in year 2007, teacher Jamie Sales heard Kristine Clair’s performance and was so impressed that he invited her for free violin tutoring. Within a year, Kristine Clair had skipped seven grade where most players achieve one grade a year.

According to Kristine Clair’s mother, Mrs Uchi Galano, in an interview with the Otaga Daily Times, she said, “Everyone told me we were too ambitious but she passed with distinction. Her teacher said he wouldn’t put his reputation on the line if he wasn’t confident.”

“Queenstown’s summer school is a great opportunity for Kristine to learn. It’s quite costly to travel here and we can’t count the blessings she will receive here,” she added.

The school started from January 11 until January 22 with lessons from professional international teachers.

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