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Not many AMEB candidates can say they are already a TV star. Sixteen-year-old Aravindi Gunawardena can though, having sung live on Sri Lankan Eye Channel English television!
Aravindi featured in a Sri Lankan program showcasing three generations of her family. Her grandparents hold the Guinness World Record for the most durable theatre performers for playing lead roles continuously over 31 years and 5000 performances, and her mother in addition to been an actress is a well-known singer in Sri Lanka as well.
Going to school at Brisbane Girls Grammar, Aravindi has been enjoying music since she was in year one; starting with the choir then progressing to the cello in year three and piano in year four.She confessed : “As I progressed, I realized I had a passion for music and started taking it more seriously,” she said.
Aravindi notes that her mother is a significant influence in her musical journey.
“My mum used to encourage me to listen to all the different instruments and parts in songs I heard, so I became interested in learning about music,” Aravindi commented.
It’s not all about classical music either. Aravindi’s current favourite song to sing is Missy Higgins’s Everyone’s Waiting. Although for the piano, her favourite piece is Mozart’s Sonata No.16 in C Major (K545, 1st Movement).
Aravindi keeps herself busy at school. This year she is part of four ensembles, two choirs and two orchestras, with five rehearsals a week – and that’s before going to her music lessons! She also enjoys dancing.
Music has become a big part of Aravindi’s life over the last couple of years. She chose classroom music as a school subject and has loved learning about different genres and periods of music.
Aravindi explained, “We have studied musical theatre, blues, classical contemporary music, pop and we are now looking through music history. We do musicology, composition and performing and I have loved developing my skills for each of these.”
Aravindi started piano and theory lessons with Graeme Denniss last year and did her first AMEB exam. She has subsequently achieved two High Distinctions (A+). Aravindi also began private lessons for singing last year and has noticed an incredible difference in her range and tone while learning about different sound colours. On the back of this she has performed in multiple vocal competitions in solo and trio performances.
“I have been in auditioned choirs since grade five, but this year and last year I have been in the senior auditioned choirs at school. We have sung a variety of genres in choir such as gospel, jazz, classical, folk songs and hymns. I have loved singing challenging repertoire such as Stabat Mater by Pergolesi and Weep No More by David Childs.”
Aravindi continued, “This year I am singing in a SATB choir for the first time and I am loving the tenor and bass sound.”
“I will be participating in the Australian combined schools music festival (ACSMF) in Sydney these holidays as well, singing with hundreds of other musicians who all share a love of choral singing.”
Aravindi continues with the cello as well, and is playing in the school’s chamber orchestra and a quartet when she is not singing.
“I have also been selected to play with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra on cello as part of our school’s partnership with them, and will be performing at an upcoming concert,” Aravindi said.
Despite this, a large part of her time is still dedicated to singing.
She is performing as a backing vocalist in a Mamma Mia medley with the Redland Sinfonia in their upcoming concert, The Sound of Musicals. For more information, please go to: https://redlandsinfonia.org.au/
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