Local violinist strung on the future

18-year-old Bridget O’Donnell has been playing the violin since she was only four years old.

As part of a musical family, she said that she became really drawn to the sound of the violin from a young age.

Now the young violinist from Potts Point is playing in the Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO).

“I actually started on the piano,” said Bridget, who grew up in Canberra before attending Sydney’s The Conservatorium High School, “but I started listening to the orchestra on the radio and I just really loved the sound of the violin,” she said.

Bridget says she knows a career in the arts doesn’t usually pay, which is a shame because that’s what she wants to do.

“It’s the orchestral life that I really want to do,” she said, adding she would love to play for the Sydney Symphony Orchestras or the Australian Chamber Orchestra one day.

Everyone in her family sings, and hearing a trumpet, piano, flute or guitar are all part of her everyday family life.

Her mother is a music teacher, but Bridget says that she is the only one in her family currently pursuing a career in music.

“The Australian Youth Orchestra is the best orchestra to be in for people our age,” said Bridget.

“Something really important in the AYO is that the people you meet there and the friendships you form are going to stick for life because these are people you are going into your professional life with,” said Bridget.

Playing the violin can be tricky, and she said that no matter what, practise is everything.

But even practise can’t stop the unexpected.

Bridget recalls one time when she was working at music camp with a well-known Canadian violinist when disaster almost struck.

“In the middle of one movement one of my strings slipped – when it’s quite hot your strings can unravel…and you can’t fix it.”

But she said no matter what happens; on concert night everyone always has so much to be proud of.

The Australian Youth Orchestra will perform a series of Sydney-exclusive performances presented by Sydney Symphony at the Sydney Opera House on July 20, 21 and 22.

For further details please visit www.ayo.com.au

To book tickets please ring 8215 4600 Monday to Friday 9am-5pm or visit www.sydneysymphony.com

By Simon Anderson