In tune for a good cause
A group of young people who share interests in music and medicine are putting on a concert to fundraise for cancer research.
Petr Tomek, Lisa Chung and Shyam Sankaran have been playing together as Trio Pohadka for a couple of years.
Mr Tomek is from the Czech Republic and is completing his doctoral cancer research in New Zealand.
Mr Sankaran is a junior doctor at Auckland Hospital who wants to specialise in radiology.
Miss Chung is a cellist completing her doctoral studies in music performance who works part-time for the APO’s education programme.
‘‘I really like playing with these guys. They’re really passionate about music. It’s really exciting. I would say they’re even more passionate about it than professional musicians,’’ she says.
Mr Tomek played piano as a child but despite his obvious talent for it, was discouraged from pursuing it as a career. Having a scientific career has turned out to be a good thing, he says.
‘‘I’m happy now. I wouldn’t say music is secondary. I am passionate about both and I’m trying to balance everything equally.’’
As Trio Pohadka & Friends, the group will rope in three more medical students for a special performance on July 20. They will perform in various combinations, as trios and as a quintet, at Auck- land Grammar School’s Centennial Theatre on Mountain Rd.
Professor Bruce Baguley, the co-director of the Auckland Cancer Society’s Research Centre, makes a guest appearance playing the cello.