Year 9 boarder, Caitlynn, has earned a place in the Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO) for the 2026 season and becoming the youngest violinist ever to join the national ensemble, which is typically made up of university-aged musicians.
Caitlynn’s love of music began when she was two years old.
Her mum used to take her to open-air concerts in the Botanic Gardens in Singapore, where toddler Caitlynn would point to the violins on stage.
“I always pointed to the violins they were playing, and so my mum bought me a toy one to practise with,” she said.
Between ages two and seven, she learned the basics from a teacher in Singapore – the first of only four violin teachers she has had in her journey so far. When her family moved to Perth, Caitlynn continued to advance rapidly, eventually studying under the West Australian Symphony Orchestra’s Concertmaster, who remains her current teacher.
This solid foundation has helped Caitlynn flourish. She has been selected as a Young Symphonist for the past three years and later progressed into the AYO Young Symphonist Youth Programme, which opened the door to national music camps – and then something even bigger.
“I went into the programme this year thinking I would get to go to the national music camp, but I was surprised I got into the AYO,” she said. “Ever since I was young, I dreamed about playing as a violinist and being accompanied by an orchestra. This opportunity is probably the biggest I’ve ever had.”
Her audition was a formidable challenge, requiring her to learn and perform complex excerpts from Beethoven’s Symphony No.3, Bartók’s The Miraculous Mandarin, Prokofiev’s Symphony No.5, Holly Harrison’s Hi-Viz, Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé, and Strauss’ Also Sprach Zarathustra. Competing against musicians up to a decade older took real strength of character– something Caitlynn has in abundance.
Director of Music, Mr Chris Goff, said, “This is an outstanding achievement and opportunity for Caitlynn. It’s a reward for all her effort too, as we love listening to her daily violin practice echoing through the halls of the Music Building. To be offered a place in the violin section of the Australian Youth Orchestra at such a young age is just wonderful.”
Despite her remarkable achievements, Caitlynn still experiences nerves but she has developed her own strategies to manage them.
“I simulate nerves when I rehearse by running around the classroom before I play,” she said. “Then when I perform, I combat stage fright by focussing on one person in the audience.”
These strengths will serve her well as she prepares for a busy year of performances. She will take the stage in Melbourne, Sydney, and Darwin with the AYO throughout 2026, performing works by Stravinsky, Clyne, Nelson, Shostakovich, and Beethoven.
Before that, Caitlynn will make her solo debut with the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra on Sunday 30 November, performing in Timeless at Churchlands Senior High School – her first time being accompanied by a full orchestra.
Tickets are still available, and the PLC community is warmly encouraged to support this incredible milestone.
Caitlynn’s journey is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through talent, courage, and remarkable strength. She has inspired the PLC community and her story is only just beginning.
