Teresa Yang is taking the next step towards building her music career at The Juilliard School, after receiving a full-tuition scholarship to attend the world-renowned performing arts institution.
Teresa, Meriden’s 2024 Head Prefect, knew from an early age that the violin would be right at the centre of her life and career.
Wielding a prodigious talent which countless Meriden concert audience members have witnessed over the years, many would have predicted great things for Teresa’s music career. When Teresa recently shared the news that she was accepted into The Juilliard School on a full-tuition scholarship, the students and staff who know her best were equally impressed as they were elated.
“Music has been central for me. I can’t imagine my life without my violin playing,” she said.
Juilliard, in New York City, is one of the most prestigious music academies, not just in the United States, but globally, boasting alumni who have gone on to have illustrious solo careers or have conquered the world stage in top orchestras.
Teresa travelled to the US in March for a live audition and interview, and on her return to Australia, the nervous wait for results began.
“I found out I was accepted in early April. At one point, I was nervously refreshing my results page every couple of minutes.” she said.
“This is a dream come true, I can hardly believe it!”
Having joyfully accepted her application, Teresa will be flying back to the US later this year to begin a Bachelor of Music Performance, living on campus and joining the community of other exceptional artists from all over the world.
A journey that began in Year 7
Teresa says that during her time at Meriden, she was given all she needed to succeed as a performer. Perhaps even more importantly, she realised that her time at Meriden, has equipped her both musically and for life after school.
“Meriden has prepared me well for this journey over the last six years.
“I am grateful that my parents sent me to Meriden, which was my mother’s choice. I have learnt so much as a student and grown so much as a person.”
Ms Jodie Spooner Ryan, Dean of Music (P-12), oversaw much of Teresa’s development both musically and personally. She says that Teresa’s impact on the Performing Arts Department can hardly be overstated from the moment she started:
“Teresa always embraced everything musical at Meriden.
“She was a very good role model to the younger students in rehearsal; always focused, always committed, always wanting the best out of the music, and this set the bar high for other students. There are many students who looked up to her,” Ms Spooner-Ryan said.
As she prepared for the HSC examinations last year, Teresa began to consider her options for university, something all Meriden girls are encouraged to do under the guidance of Meriden’s Head of Tertiary Pathways, Mr Ryan Richards.
“Of course, there was a significant repertoire to build for my applications, but that was only one part of the process. I had to put together other documents like essays and letters of recommendation. The school gave me a lot of support in that way,” she said.
Mr Richards said that schools like Juilliard consider not only the talent and performance level for musicians like Teresa, but their character and personal development as well. He says that the staff who gave support through letters of recommendation did so “with ease”, given her positivity, humility and contributions to the school.
“We have always marvelled at Teresa’s performances here at Meriden,” he said. “But if you consider this from an Australian perspective, people apply for Juilliard from all over the world, so receiving a 100% tuition scholarship is such a rare achievement, not just for a Meriden girl, but for any young Australian musician.”
For Juilliard in particular, around 2,000 of the world’s brightest young musicians apply for only 150 available undergraduate positions. Violin is also one of the most competitive instruments given its popularity for students.
Teresa herself is taking on the magnitude of her achievement with typical grace and clarity, as she looks forward to what the next few years might offer.
“I’m really excited to meet new people and join a community of artists of such a high calibre. I’m looking forward to all of it: orchestras, chamber music, meeting new teachers and, of course, other students as well. I’ve heard it’s like a big family at Juilliard!”
“Of course there is a lot I can’t predict. There will be some unseen challenges as an international student but I’m excited to face them.”
Teresa wanted to share some advice from her experience as a student here at Meriden, too:
“I would say to younger students that they should find joy in those around you and in the things you do. Be inspired without feeling the need to copy people.”
