The Score Magazine - Archive November 2016 issue! | Page 31

WHAT ARE THE COURSES/LEVELS FINISHED BY HIM IN PIANO.
Dhirren learned the piano for 2 years in Chennai. He
skipped 2 grades and at 7 years old, sat for the Grade
3 exams held by Trinity College of London and scored
Distinction and Merit. For studies, he was home-schooled
the Singapore syllabus by his mother in Chennai, while he
continued learning the piano. Back in Singapore, under
the guidance of Ms Vanessa Loh, he completed his Grade
5 Theory and Practical exams from ABRSM and scored a
Merit in them.
HOW DID HE ENTER THE YOUTH ASIA COMPETITION?
The competition, 2016 Singapore Asia Youth Piano
Competition, organized by Cristofori Music School was
informed by Dhirren’s piano teacher, Ms Vanessa Loh.
Dhirren went for the qualifying round and was selected
for the Finals. There were 1200 participants and only 73
qualified for the Finals. Dhirren was the only Indian boy
and all Finalists came from different parts of Asia, like
China, Malaysia, Philippines, and etc. Dhirren took part
under the Junior Category which had 25 participants
between the ages of 8-11 years and emerged as the 2nd
prize winner. As a winner Dhirren is now qualified for the
21st Japan Piara 2017 Piano Competition, which will be
held in Hamamatsu, 2017.
WHAT WERE THE CHALLENGES FACED WHILE HE WAS PREPARING FOR
THE EXAMS AND THE COMPETITION?
The Competition was held on 05 October 2016, at Singapore
Conference Hall. This period is during Singapore’s end
of year examinations time frame, where all students
and parents will be buckling up and revising for the
examinations. Dhirren was simultaneously handling
his school, revisions and preparation for his piano
competition. He woke up earlier then his usual time
in the mornings and practiced at 630am before going
to school. Before and after school he practiced. He also
went to public places where they had pianos to practice
in the crowd, so as to overcome his anxiety and fear of
crowds. Handling exam revisions and piano practices
simultaneously was not easy, but he managed to overcome
it by being focused.
DOES DHIRREN HAVE PLANS TO DO ANYTHING FURTHER IN THIS
FIELD? IS YES, WHAT AND HOW?
Dhirren had an exposure to Percussions when he was
in his school’s Percussions club. He intends to learn
percussions as well. He also wants to complete at least a
Diploma in piano and has his eyes fixed on composing
a song. For now, Dhirren is getting prepared for the
impending 21st Japan Piara 2017 Piano Competition,
which will be held in Hamamatsu, 2017.
TIPS FOR UPCOMING KIDS OF HIS AGE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN
PURSUING THIS PATH.
There is a genius in every child. As parents, we need to
identify and support our children, being their pillar in
every possible way for them to pursue in their passion.
Children will remain children. We, as parents need to
believe in them and encourage them to reach out for the
sky. It is alright to fall, to fail, for what matters most, is
not the results, but the journey. As long as we teach our
children to give their best in all that they do, answer to
their conscience, work hard and remain focused, success
will find its way.
DHIRREN MANAGES MUSIC AND OTHER CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AS
FOLLOWS:
Other than music, Dhirren has also been noted by the
Ministry of Education during the Gifted Education
Program (GEP) screening examinations for his ability in
Math. Based on this GEP results, he was offered a place
in the school Math Olympiad Program. He enjoys this
program among all his lessons in school and is doing very
well in it.
Dhirren is also in the Excellence 2000 (E2K) Science
Program. The E2K Science Program Singapore is a
Science enrichment program for upper primary (Primary
4 to Primary 6) pupils who demonstrate interest and have
high-ability in Science. The Program is developed by the
Israel Centre for Excellence through Education (ICEE).
Currently Dhirren plays chess for leisure.
He is also selected to be in his School’s Soccer Team.
Based on his academic results, Dhirren is also a
receipient of TCC Annual Scholarship award, which is in
conjunction with the Management Development Institute
of Singapore (MDIS).
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