Big dreams
REGION: Orchestral dreams beckon young Feilding flautist Ainslee Smithers, 18, who is on her way toward achieving them as she joins a prestigious school of music.
Orchestral dreams beckon a young Feilding flautist, who is taking the first steps toward achieving them.
Ainslee Smithers, 18, has been accepted into the prestigious New Zealand School of Music for 2018, and is excited to be able to plunge head first into a world of musical learning and polish her performance.
Enrolling in music at Feilding High School meant Smithers picked out the flute as the orchestral instrument she wanted to learn to play. She had already been learning piano, but it was the beautiful tones and expression of the flute that captured her.
‘‘I like it as a way to express myself. I really enjoy practising, it’s a bit of escapism. I like the complexity of classical music.’’
Smithers says the support of teachers and a strong group of other keen music students at school boosted her interest and involvement.
‘‘There’s been so many opportunities. I’ve been in lots of different groups, a few jazz bands, and I’ve been a part of the Manawatu¯ Youth Orchestra. That was good experience – to listen to a lot of other young musicians who really love playing music.’’
This year she was the arts dux at school, earned her Trinity College London Advanced Certificate in flute and won music scholarships from Musica Viva and the Manawatu¯ Savage Club.
In July, she was one of eight young musicians in the Neon Fusion jazz band at Feilding High School to travel to Switzerland for the Montreux Jazz Festival, where they performed and took part in musicians’ workshops. She is grateful to have had so much support.
‘‘All the money I’ve won is going towards uni next year. It’s exciting to be going somewhere that has a close association with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
‘‘I just always love to perform and it’s something I hope to do as a career, to perform.’’