OUR HISTORY



Astar 2 years old




Rawhinia 2 years old


Let us tell you where it all started

Way back when we were two and a half mum put on a CD 'The Four Seasons by Nigel Kennedy', and from that moment on we knew that we wanted to play violin. Well our mum told us then that if we wanted to play violin we had to save so we did. By the time we were six we had saved enough to show our mum that we were serious.



Astar and Rawhinia with first violin 6 years old

So for our sixth birthday we bought our first violin. The only hiccup was that there were no teachers that we connected with in our area. We did manage to have a few Suzuki lessons when we were six and after that we had some group lessons at school. But the Suzuki method wasn't for us. It wasn't until we were nine years old (three years ago) that we found an amazing private teacher, who happens to be Polish, that feels the same way about music as we do.

Tune in soon,   A & R



Rawhinia and Astar now 12 years old

In the last three years we have been lucky enough to thoroughly immerse ourselves in music. We are grade six AMEB on violin. Other than violin we play flute, piano, marimba, and jambeau (African drum).

Tune in soon,  A & R



Rawhinia, Nigel Kennedy and Astar 2008

 Inspiration for our trip

Four years ago we heard that Nigel Kennedy was to be coming to Australia on tour. We were so excited, and decided to write to him. Fortunately we were asked if we would like to meet Kennedy back stage after his show (along with many others). It was amazing!!!! And guess what, Kennedy must have liked us because he asked us to keep in contact.


 
This proved to be a hard thing to do but not to worry. On Nigel Kennedy's next tour to Australia in January 2010, Kennedy's personal assistant phoned us to invite us to Kennedy's private party after his show. WOW! Other than us, there was Kennedy, his band and a couple of their friends (our mum and nana came to chaperone us but truly they wouldn't have missed it for the world). The party was soooo much fun! We really got to know Kennedy and some of his band (the ones that spoke English).




Nigel Kennedy, Astar and Rawhinia 1am 2010

 At 1:30am, after much jamming, we were exhausted (we normally go to bed at 8pm) and ready to leave. Kennedy walked us out (his security guards didn't like that). Then Kennedy said that if we could ever make it to Europe he would love to see us and that going to Europe (and UK) would be a great experience for us as there are so many musical expressions over there.

We have always wanted to go to Europe and the UK to be immersed in musical culture. It would be a dream come true.

To see where Stradivarius made his violins!
To do a workshop with an internationally renowned accompanist!
To sit in on rehearsals with an international orchestra!
And to meet up with the most famous violinist in the world - Nigel Kennedy!

Tune in soon,   A & R




That's our Mum Katusha on the right


Which leads us to where we are now. Mum (Katusha) is a single mum and is great at supporting and encouraging us. Mum tells us that no matter who you are, if your heart is in the right place and you have a dream, then all you have to do is hold on to your dream and keep working towards it and you will achieve whatever you set out to achieve. Mum is working out the finer details of our itinerary. It looks like we will be able to do everything on our list, and more. There is just one hiccup and this is where we need your help......




Astar and Rawhinia getting to the heart of the matter

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Tune in soon,   A & R

As you can see we are identical twins and very passionate about music especially violin. We are 12 years old and have been given a wonderful opportunity to go to the UK for a musical educational experience, including meeting up with Nigel Kennedy (the famous violinist). We just need some help getting there.

Tune in soon,   A & R