Chisholm St: Young Performers of RSSS

Chisholm St is a live performance space on Wadawurrung country, Ballarat. We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land and recognise that their sovereignty was never ceded.

Hosted by Bronwyn Blaiklock, Chisholm St is an intimate foray into fascinating corners of classical music. The platform was launched in March 2021 and offers a diverse series of concerts by regional musicians and spoken word performers. The intimate space gives you a rare glimpse into creative music-making, up close and personal.

Chisholm St: Young Performers of RSSS

This very special program features two pianists from the Schimmel Pianoforte competition at the 2024 Royal South Street Society Eisteddfod, held in Ballarat 6-9 August. These talented young performers shone in the eisteddfod, receiving accolades from the adjudicator, Zen Zeng. STEFANIA ROBU and JAYDEN WAYNE were awarded 1st Prize in the Open Baroque Piano Solo Section, and 1st Prize in the 19 years & under Piano Recital Solo section respectively. Part of their prizes included an invitation to perform at Chisholm St.

A new addition to the Chisholm St annual concert series, this performance supports young pianists' professional development. The opportunity will broaden their profile and give them a pay cheque. Chisholm St is very proud to sponsor the Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod in this way and help young musicians on their journey.

Stay for refreshments afterwards - it's included in the ticket - meet the performers and enjoy the community at Chisholm St. 

The performers

Stefania Robu is a 12 year-old student in Year 7 at Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School. Studying piano since she was five, she is mostly interested in classical repertoire and sometimes contemporary works, believing that classical training is essential for every pianist. Currently under the tutelage of Coady Green, she is working towards strengthening her piano technique, enriching her repertoire and her musical knowledge. 

Stefania recently sat her AMusA exam in Piano, where she obtained an Award with Distinction. She quickly moved towards working on new repertoire in preparation for her LMusA. When she is not practicing on the piano, she likes to read, sing and study to keep up her excellent academic results since she aspires to become a medical doctor. Whenever she gets a chance, she goes with her family to live concerts. 

Stefania has participated in numerous Eisteddfods and Piano Competitions, both in Victoria and interstate, where she won or was placed on the podium most of the time. One of her favourite Piano Competitions is the Royal South Street Pianoforte Competition in Ballarat, which she attended for the last three years, winning many sections and awards. Stefania is determined to seize every opportunity to perform as this is paramount for her artistic advancement. As an emerging artist, she relishes to be part of the Chisholm Street live performance project, especially considering that Stefania studied piano for five years with the Ballarat-based piano teacher, Mr Dean Thomas. 

Jayden Wayne is an 11-year-old pianist and harpist who is in Year 5 at Scotch College, Melbourne. Jayden started learning piano when he was five years old under the tutelage of Naomi Tang. After he achieved the AMusA diploma at the age of 10, he started a new journey under the guidance of Glenn Riddle. In addition, he has been learning harp for over two years with Yee Chern Chu. Jayden is highly accomplished on both instruments, and has earned over 40 first-place awards in eisteddfods across Australia and international competitions in the past 2.5 years. 

He is passionate about many different instruments, including strings and percussion. Jayden participates in his school orchestra and choir. He loves being part of a chamber ensemble, AJ Piharllo, and playing music with his friends. He loves composition and arranging new music, often inspired by music in computer games.

The host

Bronwyn Blaiklock grew up in Alice Springs. She graduated from the Elder Conservatorium (University of Adelaide) a lifetime ago with a double degree in Piano performance (Hons) and a Bachelor of Arts. Following that, she studied in Germany at the University of Freiburg on a DAAD scholarship. She has worked in the arts and music education industry for over 25 years, achieving high-profile activity in performing arts and professional writing across three states through work as a performer, artistic director, arts administrator, adjudicator, and educator. Bronwyn’s poetry has appeared in various Australian anthologies and she has read her work at festivals including the Newstead Short Story Tattoo, the Words in Winter Festival, Castlemaine Poetry Readings, Clunes Booktown and the Overload Poetry Festival. Bronwyn’s first collection, 'Etching my Initials', was published in 2016 by Melbourne Poets Union in the New Poets series. She is currently on the Board of the Ballarat Arts Foundation (BAF). 

The venue

Seating
Bespoke reupholstered deck chairs and lounge suite awaits you, however, be sure to dress warmly as seating extends to an external covered deck and this is Ballarat, after all.

Children
Young children are welcome at Chisholm St, although paid ticket-holders have priority of seating. Children are welcome to enjoy the garden and cubby house during daytime performances.

Refreshments
You are invited to join the performers for refreshments afterwards. This includes wine, cheese, gluten-friendly snacks, light drinks, tea and coffee at no extra charge. You are welcome to bring a bottle of your favourite beverage.

Illness/Covid-19
Please do not attend if you are unwell. If you are unable to attend due to illness, we may be able to arrange a transfer of your ticket. Consider sending a friend in your place if you can't make it for any reason. Please use the hand-sanitiser supplied at the entrance and practice safe distancing where possible.