Young Nanaimo singer Serena Zhang received a gold medal from the Royal Conservatory of Music.
As she crossed the stage during a ceremony in Vancouver the singer said she kept repeating ‘don’t fall’ to herself.
Zhang won the gold medal in November for scoring the top mark in British Columbia voice examination Level 1 category.
“I’m just really happy,” said Zhang.
For the singer, who says one of her future goals is to not get as nervous before a performances or in front of crowds, it’s the first time she has won a gold medal from the conservatory.
“I was very proud of her,” said Zhang’s mother Tina Hu.
Zhang has taken lessons from Nanaimo voice coach Raphael Wagner for the past three years.
Wagner said Zhang is the only gold medal winner in B.C. for her category, which is a “big deal.”
“I was thrilled. It came as a surprise…” said Wagner, about hearing that Zhang had won a medal. “She’s a natural performer. She requires very little encouragement in that department. She’s a natural born performer, which is a joy for me. It’s the hardest thing to teach.”
Over the past three years, Wagner said Zhang’s voice has developed, gotten bigger. She has more breath control and more projection.
Zhang’s favourite band is My Chemical Romance. Wagner said it fits Zhang’s quirky personality.
“They just sort of remind me of myself,” said Zhang, about why she likes the group’s songs. “It’s just like sometimes I feel self conscious a lot and it’s just helps a little bit (to listen to them).”
Other Nanaimo gold medal winners included Lilu Scott for the voice examination Level 7 category and Hayley Farenholtz for winning the top 10 for her harp examination. Farenholtz is currently attending the University of British Columbia and is in her first year of the music program.
Zhang will be performing, along with other young singers, during a concert at St. Philip by-the-Sea Anglican Church, located at 7113 Lantzville Rd.
During the concert, Zhang will perform three pieces including a How the Grinch Stole Christmas parody song.
The concert is Saturday (Dec. 17) at noon and admission is by donation.
