Belgrave’s up-coming concert pianist, Berta Brozgul, is hoping to win a scholarship to London.By Tania Martin
BELGRAVE’S up coming maestro, Berta Brozgul, is dreaming of a life as a concert pianist.
She was thrilled, recently, when she was named the winner of the Dandenong Ranges Music Council (DRMC) award for the second time in six years.
Berta, 18, has won the prestigious Ann and Chris Krans Award after impressing the judges with a performance last November.
The award is given to outstanding musicians who show the potential of sustaining a professional career in music.
Berta said she was really excited about winning the award for the second time and hopes that it will help in achieving her ultimate dream to become a concert pianist.
She is now waiting for her next big break after applying for a scholarship with Royal Academy of Music in London.
For Berta, a South African native, music and the piano are not just a passion but are an integral part of her life.
She started playing when she was just eight years old at the insistence of her mother.
“My mum is a piano teacher and I love music so I thought I would give it a try,” she said.
“For me music has always been a passion – a form of retreat.”
Berta first won the Ann and Chris Krans award after moving from South Africa to Belgrave, six years ago.
She said winning the award was a great reward for all the hard work that is involved with making great music.
Berta said it was fantastic to be recognised for her music and that the award means more than just proving you are the best.
“It’s not that fact that you have beat someone else because I am not competitive, it’s for the musical satisfaction and the reward for all your hard work,” she said.
This up-coming maestro lives, eats and breathes the piano as she practices her craft up to 42 hours a week.
She is now waiting anxiously for news of a scholarship to study music in London.
Berta said she was hoping for a full scholarship for the Royal Academy of Music because the course costs more than £20,000.
In the meantime, Berta, has joined the Australian National Academy of Music where she will start classes later this month.
The Ann and Chris Krans award will be presented to Berta at an afternoon tea at the DRMC on Sunday 25 May.
