Figtree's Leila Thompson was the first person in her family to learn the flute.
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The Year 4 St Therese Catholic Primary School student is not sure where she first heard the wind instrument, but she was determined from a young age to play it.
The nine-year-old began lessons two years ago with teacher Suzanne Cowan, who runs the Wollongong Flute Studio.
In that short period of time, Leila has made considerable progress, which was reflected in her results at the Wollongong Eisteddfod on Wednesday.
Leila placed first in the wind instruments solo 10 years and under section; first in the restricted wind instruments solo 9 years and under; third in the Australian composition wind instruments solo 12 years and under; and second in the restricted wind instruments solo 11 years and under.
‘‘Leila wanted to play the flute from the age of two – nobody else in our family does, yet she had this idea in her head that the flute was her instrument,’’ Leila’s mother Lauren Thompson said.
Mrs Thompson said her daughter’s flute-playing development had been supported through her primary school, which ran a school band and offered music programs.
‘‘Leila gets to play the flute a lot at school,’’ she said.
‘‘The flute has been really good for her concentration and discipline and for developing her patience because you have to work at it,’’ Mrs Thompson said.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Wind instruments solo 12 years and under: Bethiah Thomas of West Wollongong 1; Abigail Ryan of Heathcote 2; and Paul Feng of Engadine 3.
Baroque/classical wind instruments solo 14 years and under: Sarah Bradley of North Wollongong 1; Aimee Jeffries of Wombarra 2; and Ashlyn Robb of Engadine 3.
Wind instruments solo 14 years and under: Aimee Jeffries of Wombarra 1; Grace Roddy of Engadine 2; and Sarah Bradley of North Wollongong 3.
Australian composition wind instruments solo 14 years and under: Grace Roddy of Engadine 1; Ashlyn Robb of Engadine 2; and Aimee Jeffries of Wombarra 3.
Australian composition wind instruments solo open age: Gianna Cheung of Woonona 1; and Rodney Mampusti of Lake Heights 2.
20th/21st century wind instruments solo open age: Bryce Fairweather of Shellharbour 1; Gianna Cheung of Woonona 2; and Jessica Knight of Wollongong highly commended.
Baroque/classical wind instruments solo open age: Gianna Cheung of Woonona 1; and Lucy Creighton of Port Kembla 2.
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Wind instruments solo 10 years and under: Leila Thompson of Figtree 1; Tiffany Brisbane of Farmborough Heights 2; Annabel Wouters of Figtree 3; and Isabelle Roach of Fairy Meadow highly commended.
Restricted wind instruments solo 9 years and under: Leila Thompson of Figtree 1; Annabel Wouters of Figtree 2; and
Sunday Windsor of Mangerton highly commended.
Australian composition wind instruments solo 12 years and under: Paul Feng of Engadine 1; Luca Gibbs of Austinmer 2; Leila Thompson of Figtree 3; and Abigail Ryan of Heathcote and Bethiah Thomas of West Wollongong highly commended.
Restricted wind instruments solo 11 years and under: Abigail Ryan of Heathcote 1; Leila Thompson of Figtree 2; and Sally Gyngell of West Wollongong 3.
Baroque/classical wind instruments solo 12 years and under: Abigail Ryan of Heathcote 1; Paul Feng of Engadine 2; Luca Gibbs of Austinmer 3; and Bethiah Thomas of West Wollongong highly commended.
