Carine Senior High School

Rebecca White - Jumping the Hurdles

Rebecca White commenced violin lessons at the age of 8 with Graham Wood O.A.M.  She successfully auditioned for the WA Conservatorium of Music at the early age of 15 years, where she studied with Peter Exton.  During her time at the Conservatorium, Rebecca won numerous awards, and became a casual member of the WA Symphony Orchestra at just 17 years old.  As part of the Young Artists Programme, she has performed as a soloist with the orchestra on two occasions, and is currently a member of the WA Symphony Orchestra.  In 2000, she performed solo for Rolf Harris, and as part of Ensemble Archangelo for the Queen's royal visit to Australia.  Rebecca took up a scholarship at the Australian National Academy of Music during 2002-03, travelling to both Brussels and Salzburg to perform solo respectively in the International Festival "Musici Artis" and the International Mozarteum Summer Academy.  In 2003, she was selected to study Masters in Performance at the Eastman School of Music.  Since 2004, Rebecca has performed as a freelance violinist and as a member of the piano trio, Trinity, which was selected to study at Yale University in 2006, after competing in the 2005 Melbourne National Chamber Music competition.  In addition, Rebecca has performed as a soloist with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra as a string finalist in the ABC Young Performers Awards, and with the Fremantle Chamber Orchestra.  She has studied with numerous esteemed violinists and other, such as those of the Australian String Quartet, Tokyo String Quartet and Keller String Quartet.

By Andrea Tindale

Rebecca White, Academy of Performing Arts at 15, tells us to...

"Jump Over the Hurdles, Don't just run beside them".

How many Year 11 students don't remember Rebecca's outstanding performance at the 1996 end of year assembly when there was hardly a dry eye in the house? When the last notes of the violin had faded away, an embarrassing number of sniffles were heard - tough Year 10's (yes, boys too!) were left speechless. Then came the standing ovation

No-one was really surprised after that experience that Rebecca didn't return to school after the holidays but started two years early at the Academy, to follow in her sister Debbie's footsteps (see them photographed here together - Debbie is on the left). I first met Rebecca at the beginning of Year 8. She struck me as a shy person and even though we had many classes together, it was a while before we became really good friends. Despite her having more responsibilities to deal with at University, she is still someone who is fun to be with.

She has a great sense of humour, always laughing and joking about.

I am glad I have Rebecca for a friend even though I don't see her that often.

INTERVIEW

Rebecca White left Carine Senior High School at the end of Year 10 last year, after being offered a place at the WA Academy of Performing Arts to study violin full time.

How long have you been playing the violin?

About seven and a half years.

Why did you decide to play the violin?
I think it was because I was inspired by Debbie, my older sister.

What would you like to do with your life?
I would like to be a soloist overseas or be a soloist with an orchestra. Also I would like to just play with an orchestra.

At what point did you decide that you wanted to become a musician?
I think I always knew that this was what I wanted to do but I was more determined to fulfil this dream in Year Eight.

Who has made the biggest impact in your musical career?
My mum and Debbie. Also my music teacher of seven years, Graham Wood and my other music teacher Peter Exten.

How did you receive a scholarship to the Academy of Performing Arts?
My mum rang them up and asked if it was possible to go there at the end of Year 10and they said it was. I had to audition and I was accepted as an exceptional entrance student.

How hard has it been to settle into university life and what is it like?
It has been quite easy to settle in. Some friends have been helping me out and that made it quite easy. I enjoy going to university, I have heaps of freedom and I have more time to practise. Unfortunately, I have a really busy schedule and I am at university a lot of the time.

What have you had to do to get as far as you have?
A lot of practice and study. It also takes a lot of dedication. I practise a couple of hours each day and I go to lots of rehearsals for chamber music ensembles and operas.

Have you had any major difficulties to overcome?
Yes. I had to overcome an illness in 1995 which kept me from going to school for about half a year.

Did you enjoy your time at Carine?
Yes I did. I thought that the teachers were really great and a lot of them supported me. I also enjoyed the time that I spent with my friends.

Are you still involved with any activities at Carine?
Yes. I still play with the Senior String Ensemble and attend the music concerts.

What have you learned from your time at Carine?
To strive for what you want. Jump over the hurdles, don't run beside them!

What did you like about Carine?
I really liked the support that the teachers gave me especially Mr Di Giulio and Mr Williamson. They both followed my career since I arrived at Carine and have always been very supportive.

What have you achieved this year?
Earlier this year I won a $2000 Faith Court Scholarship for first year students. There were only five given out. I was also given the opportunity to play solo at the Perth Concert Hall. I recently won the Most Outstanding String Player in 1997 at the Wanneroo Eisteddfod. I also would like to go to the National Music Camp in Melbourne as I had gone there previously and thoroughly enjoyed it.