For the love of music
Debbie King dreams of becoming a professional chamber musician.
After receiving an Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra Scholarship, it’s safe to say the 16-year-old violist is in good hands.
The Diocesan School for Girls student has been studying music for most of her life and now she is one step closer to achieving her goal.
‘‘[Playing as a chamber musician] is like a family,’’ she says.
‘‘It becomes really magical when everyone becomes one playing together. I would really like to get some experience in the professional environment. It’s good to be able to ask questions about the industry or techniques.’’
The Remuera resident has grown up surrounded by music.
The guidance provided to her through the Auckland Youth Orchestra and the NZSO National Mentoring Programme has been vital to developing her musical knowledge.
‘‘I’m learning things I’d never have been able to do alone,’’ she says.
‘‘It’s stretching me and teaching me. It’s so exciting.’’
Debbie started playing the violin when she was 5 years old but says the switch to the viola was when she really discovered music.
‘‘The viola has a darker kind of sound and I thought it sounded interesting. It’s the most similar instrument to the human voice. It has a great potential for expression. I think of my instrument as my voice.’’
Debbie admits that music is something that takes up the majority of her time. However, it is clear the hours of perfecting her craft are justified by a love of music.
‘‘You just need to make a sound that you like because if you don’t like your sound then who else is going to? It’s how we visualise the world around us.’’