IT has been a stellar year for Durban North teenager Rachel Wedderburn-Maxwell who recently won the National Atterbury Piano Competition. Rachel, who was the only KwaZulu-Natal representative won the U15 national title and placed second overall in the U19 competition. Her triumph comes hot on the heels of winning the overall National Piano title at the 11th National Grahamstown Music Competition in August.
This year the Atterbury showcase attracted a record number of entries, and 46 participants from across the country including finalists and winners of previous national music competitions.
The competition is the only one in South Africa presented every year for young pianists aged 19 years and younger.
“My goal was to win this year’s competition and it was incredibly humbling to be recognised by such talented people in the industry. It draws the top pianists from around the country and the level of competition was extremely high. It was awesome to be around people who share the same passion and love for classical music. I know it sounds cliché but it feeds my soul. To win the 15 and under title and finish second overall in the 19 and under was a dream come true. It’s inspired and motivated me ahead of my final year exams,” she said.
Besides showing a natural aptitude for the piano, the Durban Girls College learner has performed twice as a soloist on the violin with the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra.
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