Piano whiz returns to Oz from Kansas City

Age: Favourite song? Favourite colour? Favourite game? Who is your best friend? What makes you laugh? What makes you sad?

me. (Holds up four fingers).

Elsa.

Blue.

Mm… hide and seek. Sophie. Someone tickle me. Um, when someone hurt

What are you afraid of? A monster in my room. If you could change your name what would it be? Batgirl. Batman marries Batgirl. What are you really good at? Handstands and

dance.

What is your favourite thing to eat for lunch?

Apples and ‘nanas.

What is your favourite fruit?

just apples.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

dancer.

How old is grown up?

Apple. Mm, maybe Maybe three? A AMERICAN pianist Kenny Broberg was just six years old when he started playing the instrument that would take him to competitions and concert recitals around the world. Unlike other kids who needed to be prompted to practice, young Broberg couldn’t tear himself away from the family piano which had been a wedding gift to his parents.

“I’ve always loved to play the piano,” he said.

“My parents wanted me to go outside and play, but I just wanted to practice. It was something I chose to do and my parents are very supportive.”

That level of commitment has certainly paid off for the talented musician who now calls Kansas City home when he’s not in performance mode.

He spoke with Dubbo Photo News after landing in Sydney at 6am in preparation for his national tour of Australia. It’s his second time in the NSW capital after competing in the Sydney International Piano Competition (The Sydney) three years ago.

“The first major competition I did was in the Sydney Opera House where I won fourth prize,” he explained.

Since then, he has received the Silver Medal at the 2017 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in the United States and placed third at the prestigious 2019 International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow.

Being in the Russian capital and performing classical musical pieces in the Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory – the same place as their original composer – was a surreal moment for Broberg.

“It was quite an experience,” he said. “It’s something I have never experienced before. There aren’t many places like it. The Great Moscow Hall has a lot of history. There are a lot of composers on the wall. It’s very easy to be inspired there.”

Broberg described the atmosphere of the Moscow Conservatory as “warm, inviting and the acoustics are amazing”.

“The way the sound projects helps your performance.”

During the Tchaikovsky competition, as with other music contests, Broberg said he remained focused on the task of playing.

“There’s always extra nerves because you know what’s at stake, knowing that people are being more subjective to you.

“But I try not to play to the judges,” he said. “I made a concerted choice not to play to them.

“It sounds different in the sixth row than the whole auditorium and you want to play to everyone.”

The trip was Broberg’s first time in Russia and he was fortunate enough to see some of the countryside there.

“I had performances before the competition and saw quite a bit of the country.”

On returning to Australia, Broberg said organisers of the Sydney International Piano Competition had invited him back for a tour.

“Last time, I mostly saw the Sydney Opera House. This time I’ll be in a lot of places in Australia.”

Broberg believes that Australia has a strong tradition of classical music.

“Some of my favourite musicians are