Saanich teen Aline Dumalski will be in Quebec next week competing in the National Final of the Canadian Music Competition.
This is the third year in a row the 13-year-old violinist has earned a spot in the finals. This year she competes in the 13 and under category.
“I started playing violin when I was four years old,” Dumalski told the News in an interview last year. “I love performing. There’s something about getting all dressed up with the fancy dress and being in front of all those people.”
This year she’s chosen to play the first movement of Violin Concerto in D Minor by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius.
“It’s about 18 minutes long and it’s got to be by memory,” she said. “I find it’s a very dark piece. It’s not happy. I like to think of it like it’s in Iceland. I just imagine a real serene, dark night, and the moon in the sky. It helps me to envision the piece. It’s very difficult, but it’s very beautiful.”
This year, 268 musicians – instrumentalists and singers – between the ages of seven and 30 will compete from June 21 to July 3 for more than $100,000 in music education scholarships.
“I’m feeling pretty good, I have to say. I’ve worked hard throughout the year to get here,” said the Saanich student, who will enter Grade 9 at Mount Douglas secondary in the fall.
In 2012 Dumalski came in first for her age group, and last year she placed fourth.
Dumalski is one of 22 young British Columbians taking part in the competition, and the sole Vancouver Island entrant.
Described by organizers as the “Olympics of classical music,” the CMC is the country’s premiere showcase of up-and-coming musicians.
“I just love CNC. The people who are all there are there for the same reason: we work hard and we’re all there to compete,” Dumalski said. “I love coming together with people who share the same interest as me.”
For more info, visit cmcnational.com.
- with files from Daniel Palmer
editor@saanichnews.com