Pass music to her ears
School’s out for Tauhara College Year 13 student Eden Clapperton, and she is delighted to have a first in media studies and a Principal’s Award at the college’s senior school prizegiving.
Yet eclipsing these achievements was the news in October that she passed her Associate of Trinity College London (ATCL) exam with Distinction.
“You always have to thank the people who help you pass your exams and all the pupils of Vivienne’s are very high achievers.”
Taupo¯ registered music teacher Vivienne Sands has been teaching music since she was 15 years old. She is also an accomplished composer, with Eden playing many of her pieces. She has composed other works for orchestras and chamber music. Over the years Vivienne has had several students who achieved their ATCL exam and says it takes 18 months to prepare for it.
Eden also loves to teach music and has five students, all under 10 years in age, and says she will probably get her teacher registration. She enjoyed her time at Tauhara College and says the college has a wonderful music teacher in Rowan Bolley.
“He gives a good vibe and brings students out so they do their best,” says Eden.
Eden has also had success at competition festivals in Te Awamutu and Rotorua and this year won the IRMT 20th Century Composer award in the IRMT Senior Scholarship held in Rotorua.
Eden says her focus is on the future and studying for a conjoint Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music at Auckland University. She still plans on putting in hours of practice, and says for 2019 she is going to study for a Licentiate of Trinity College London (LTCL) alongside her bachelor’s degree.
The talented musician’s longterm aim is to be a professional classical performance pianist, either playing solo or as an accompanist for a chamber music ensemble. She has already clocked up experience as a studio musician for Christian rock artist Chris Skinner.